After a chaotic and troubled start in life, Leicester’s Chantelle Marquez is finally on the right path – using her scars and her street smarts to carve out a successful and fulfilling career in music.
Everything seems to be going in the right direction for the glamorous songstress, whose debut single ‘Pint in London’ was played on Radio 1 no less.
Her latest single ‘Law III’, is attracting a similar buzz, with people saying that it sounds like the soundtrack to a top Netflix drama.
“It references [Isaac] Newton’s third law, which states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
“It’s a song about fighting through chaos and battling emotions. When you’ve been pushed so much emotionally that you can’t feel anymore,” she explains.
“ I’ve been through a lot, and I’ve experienced a lot of crazy things in life so far. I came from nothing but I’ve also had a taste of the high”life, so I want my music to portray that.
Chantelle, grew up on Leicester’s Thurnby Lodge council estate. She was taken into care aged 12, and spent her teenage years being pushed between foster homes.
As she matured, she found herself mixing with the ‘wrong crowd’ – dating “bad boys” and “notorious criminals” down in London’s underground.
She made a living by dancing at gentlemen’s clubs and was involved in the adult film industry for a time – living a glamorous lifestyle, which left her feeling empty and, at times traumatised.
However, she has since quit the scene in order to pursue her dream of becoming a musical star, with over 75,000 social media followers to her name.
“I’ve still got a long way to go, but it’s definitely helped my self esteem. It feels great to be doing something more fulfilling,” the 28-year-old told Pukaar.
“When I got that email to say I was going to be played on Radio 1, it was mad.
“I was really determined that I was going to make [my music] work or die trying, so I knew I was going to get somewhere… I just didn’t think it would happen as quickly as it did,” she revealed.
“It made me think, maybe I should have been doing this all along instead of going down the wrong path…”
Chantelle draws on her experiences in order to write songs, which are slick, glamorous and at times aggressive. There’s an element of danger to the songs she makes, but also an old school cinematic quality which she’s proud to project.
“I call it ‘Bond girl rap’. I’m a very visual artist. I think people relate to the authenticity,” she revealed.
“I definitely write about the life that I’ve had. I find it quite therapeutic, but I also write stuff that I think will move people and help them escape, just for a moment.
“I naturally do hold a bit of shame about my past, but I also accept that was the path that I went down, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without my challenges in the past,” she added.
“I’m out the other side now and I just want to encourage people to be okay with their scars. They’re a part of you – the things that make you stronger. It’s never too late to turn things around and follow a new path.”
Follow Chantelle on Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@chantellemarquez
By Louise Steel
