"I’ve been singing and playing piano since I was three," says Karina. "My babysitter had a piano, and she started teaching me how to play. It wasn’t until a year later that I began getting professional lessons." While some have been quick to compare Karina Pasian to other performers including Aaliyah, Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey, one listen to her self-assured debut disc is evidence enough that she is destined for success.
Karina remembers the first time she sang in front of an audience. "I sang Céline Dion’s ’My Heart Will Go On’ at a talent show. I was kind of nervous, but the audience loved it."
From that point, there was no denying that music would be her life. A few years later, after using the Prince-penned ballad "How Come U Don’t Call" for an audition, Karina Pasian was cast on a revamped version of Star Search. "That was such a wonderful experience," says Karina, who won the first round of the competition with a rousing version of the Jackson Five classic "I’ll Be There."
Working with an array of songwriters, producers and artists that include The Dream, Tricky Stewart, Gordon Chambers, Chris Brown, Carlos McKinnney, Lil Mama and others, Karina proves to be a breath of fresh soul. "I’ve recorded over 70 songs in the last two years," Karina says. "It was a period of real growth for me as I learned to focus and stay consistent."
Karina Pasian’s godfather, famed producer and businessman Quincy Jones, has also been a guardian angel for the young singer. In addition to giving her advice, the maestro included her in the "We Are the Future" charity concert in 2006. Considering the talents Jones has worked with, from Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan to Michael Jackson and Tamia, she is in good company. "I know I’m blessed to have someone like Quincy in my corner," she says.
A fan who embraces all forms of music, from the stylish pop of Brandy to old school jazz greats, Karina performed the standard "Misty" when she was at the White House last year. "Emilio Estefan, who has been a friend of my family for years, helped to put the show together, and invited me to be a part of it," says Karina. "Later, my brother told me that I was the first Dominican to play at the White House, and that made me very proud." Studying music and voice at High School for the Professional Performing Arts, the Washington Heights native was more than prepared for any challenges that arose in the studio. "I was blessed to have some pretty amazing teachers who prepared me well," she says sweetly. Refusing to fall into any cliché, Karina Pasian has recorded an album that is a reflection of her age and independent point of view.
Karina Pasian’s song "Sixteen" is a song of independence and admiration. "Ain’t no daddy’s where I’m from, its just mad mothers…why am I disrespected by someone I should call brother," she sings in a pristine voice. "I wanted to do a song about what teenager girls go through in urban areas. It’s not cool that boys think they’re being cute when they say nasty stuff to us on the street." Written and produced by The Dream and Tricky Stewart, best known for their work with Rihanna’s "Umbrella" and Madonna’s "Me Against the Music," the song "Sixteen" reminds one of vintage Brill Building girls like the Crystals or Little Eva with an electro-groove.
Another Tricky Stewart and The Dream track that will leave fans breathless is "Baby Baby," an uptempo song that is destined to be a dancefloor scorcher. "Though this is a fun song, it’s not just a party song," says Karina "It’s about guys who simply see young women as sex objects, but I refuse to be that girl." Indeed, like Aretha Franklin, she simply wants some respect. Sharing the mic with rapper Lil Mama ("Lip Gloss" & "Shawty Get Loose"), the two young stars connected in the studio. "Lil Mama was so cool, but it was her confidence in the booth that was really exciting."
Produced and written by Carlos McKinney, the sing-songy "Can’t Find the Words" embraces elements of jazz and pop while simultaneously creating a whimsical track that sounds like nothing else of the radio. Additionally, Karina’s favorite song "Winner," which highlights her elegant piano (her light touch on the keyboard reminds one of Erroll Garner) playing, is laidback and uplifting.
A beautiful young woman with more musical moxy than most sixteen year olds, Karina Pasian has constructed one of the finest debut discs in years. Melancholic and truthful, funky and real, blissful and bold, Karina’s album is the sound of a better tomorrow.
Baby Baby
Karina Pasian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh uh baby baby uh uh baby
[Verse 1:]
Your the mission up in this option... I ain't walking round here topless(baby baby)
I know them girls be gettin it poppin, strange way of gettin it poppin (baby baby)
And if you can't see it through these jeans then you won't see it up on me (baby baby)
[Chorus:]
I ain't heared that g.a.m.e, y give you my love if you can't see that I ain't gving you whateva u want boy, I ain't anotha toy in ya toybox for me
It's my love and my love ain't free, it's ya mamma fault that you can't see that, it's all good, pick up ya fate boy, it's all good pick up ya fate boy... all my girlz like
(uh uh baby baby, uh uh baby baby)
[Verse 2:]
A good good boy, stop the promisin, eva since good boys ain't so common and good sense ain't so common, go head make stupid look real funny then. 2morrow might be evry word in the hook, so call me every word in the book (baby baby. it's best to tell you don't wast e ya time... ya eyes don't make me fine
[Chorus]
[Lil Mama:]
Karina wen he think he a pimp, what you tell em
[Karina Pasian:]
See you call it pimpin but I call it slippin
[Lil Mama:]
Cause we don't get down like dat(noooooo)
[Karina Pasian:]
I'm a say wat I say with or without your attention
(uh uh baby uh uh baby)
[Lil Mama:]
I been up on this block so long like old tomers. thought he stand for good cause like obama. through my girls off... some smart, some dumber, the smart was succeed, the ova s
{Baby baby}
[Lil Mama:]
Hotter it got the more they took off. and the hotter I got the more I took off. fly like a eagle, tell da boy I don't need em. karina mama leada. the voice of the young people
[Chorus: til fade]
In the song "Baby Baby" by Karina Pasian ft. Lil Mama, the singer is talking to a guy who has been trying to win her over. In the first verse, she talks about how other girls may use their bodies to get attention, but she won't do that. She doesn't want him to waste his time pursuing her just because of her looks. In the chorus, she makes it clear that she won't give her love away easily, and it's not something that can be bought or earned by just giving her what she wants. She's not interested in being just another toy in his collection.
In the second verse, the singer talks about how some guys will say anything to get what they want, but she can see right through it. She's not interested in guys who make promises they can't keep or who try to act like something they're not. In the bridge, Lil Mama joins in to emphasize the point that the singer won't be swayed by guys who try to use their "pimpin" skills to get what they want from her. She's confident in herself and doesn't need a man to validate her worth. The song is ultimately about being true to oneself and not compromising one's values for the sake of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Your the mission up in this option... I ain't walking round here topless(baby baby)
You are the goal I am aiming for, and I am not going around without caution.
I know them girls be gettin it poppin, strange way of gettin it poppin (baby baby)
I know those girls are attracting people, but their way of doing so is not good for me.
And if you can't see it through these jeans then you won't see it up on me (baby baby)
If you can't see what you want through these jeans, you won't get it from me.
It's best to tell you don't waste ya time, ya eyes don't make me fine (baby baby)
It's better to tell you not to waste your time, as just looking at me won't make me perfect.
I ain't heared that g.a.m.e, y give you my love if you can't see that I ain't gving you whateva u want boy, I ain't anotha toy in ya toybox for me
I haven't heard you say anything that makes me interested, so why should I give you my love? I am not another toy for you to play with.
It's my love and my love ain't free, it's ya mamma fault that you can't see that, it's all good, pick up ya fate boy, it's all good pick up ya fate boy... all my girlz like
My love is valuable and not freely given, it's not my fault you can't see that but you can still take charge of your fate. That's okay, my girlfriends also feel the same way.
A good good boy, stop the promisin, eva since good boys ain't so common and good sense ain't so common, go head make stupid look real funny then. 2morrow might be evry word in the hook, so call me every word in the book (baby baby. it's best to tell you don't wast e ya time... ya eyes don't make me fine
Stop making promises, as good boys and common sense are hard to come by. You can try to be funny with foolishness, but tomorrow might make everything clear. It's better to tell you not to waste your time as looking isn't enough to make me perfect.
Karina wen he think he a pimp, what you tell em
Karina, when he thinks he is a pimp, what do you say to him?
See you call it pimpin but I call it slippin
You might call it pimping, but I think it's a slippery slope.
Cause we don't get down like dat(noooooo)
Because we don't behave like that (no way).
I'm a say wat I say with or without your attention
I will say what I want, whether or not you are paying attention.
I been up on this block so long like old tomers. thought he stand for good cause like obama. through my girls off... some smart, some dumber, the smart was succeed, the ova s
{Baby baby}
I have been on this block for so long, just like the old-timers. He thought he stands for a good cause like Obama, but I don't buy it. I threw some of my girls off, some were smart, and some were dumber. The smart ones succeeded while the others failed. {Baby baby}
Hotter it got the more they took off. and the hotter I got the more I took off. fly like a eagle, tell da boy I don't need em. karina mama leada. the voice of the young people
The hotter it got, the more they (the girls) took off their clothes, and the hotter Karina got, the more she took off too. Fly like an eagle and tell the boy I don't need him. Karina is the leader of the young people's voice.
Chorus: til fade
Chorus until fade.
Contributed by Xavier A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.