Afterparty Throwback: An Afterparty Radio Exclusive: Chanté Moore, Part 1

While musing about appreciating the small things in life, award-winning singer and “R&B Diva” star Chanté Moore, was interrupted in the moment by witnessing not one, but two dolphins splashing in the ocean right in front of her eyes.

“Life is all about the little joys in life,” Chanté explained. “It’s about family, friends and having people around who love you.”

This scene punctuated Chanté’s attitude not only about music but life in general and what it takes to remain relevant and viable in an ever-changing music world that’s always dominated by new and trendy artists and musical styles.

Even though Chanté’s career has spanned more than two decades, each moment singing and performing feels like the very first time where she cherishes each moment performing in front of an audience.

“It’s really weird, when they announce my name right before a performance. I’m still blushing when they call my name. It’s still sobering and exciting,” Chanté explained. “To have my name associated, “it’s like it’s really, really me.” I’m still nervous and my heart skips a beat. I’m still excited after all these years.”

Since Chanté is never comfortable with just resting on pretty, she continually strives to do better and become better. Despite the fact that’s conquered many arenas in the entertainment industry such as singer, song-writer, model and actress, she feels as if there’s much more for her to accomplish.

“There’s always people who you would want to work with. While it doesn’t define who I am, but it would be complementary to have the Grammys, MTV Awards, whatever. It would be gratifying, but I’m just glad to be here.”

As a veteran in the music world, Chanté looks forward to working with but newer artists as well.

“I look forward to working with Ledisi and Chrisette Michele.”

One to celebrate her contemporaries as well as those before her, Chanté has worked with and hopes to work with some of the biggest names in the game.

“I would love to do a love duet with Tank or Joe. Yesterday, I just saw Gladys Knight and worked on her new video that’s coming out soon.”

Since Chanté sees legends such as Gladys Knight paving the way for singers such as herself, she also has an immense and profound respect for her and admits getting a bit starry-eyed when she’s around Gladys.

“Even though I’ve been around Gladys before, every time I see her, I’m just in awe. She’s somebody who has helped pave the way. It’s just awe-inspiring.”

When the shoe is on the other foot and Chanté sees how people gush over her, it’s still a humbling experience.

“It helps me to understand. It’s so cool when people feel that way. I love that; it just leaves me smiling,” Chanté happily remarked. “Such an honor, such a dream come true. It never gets old. I’ve been doing it for 20 years and I still get lost in moments like that.”

While growing up, singing in the church and listening to gospel music was a big part of her upbringing and shaped her outlook on music.

“I loved music in the house, singing with my parents. All that was allowed was gospel so I didn’t know about Chaka Khan or Stevie Wonder. Gospel was all I knew, but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.”

Surrounded by a musically-gifted family, she admitted that she wasn’t the best singer in the house and her family agreed.

“Thank goodness, you’re cute,” Chanté recounted laughingly that her family would joke about what they perceived as her lack of singing ability.

However, this attitude never encouraged or discouraged her from singing and she kept on in the choir until she had that one big moment.

“I just started doing my own thing. One day, Juanita Brown asked me to be Dorothy in “The Wiz” when I was about 16.”

“Really? Me?” Chanté asking incredulously thinking it was an obvious mistake and thinking that Brown had meant to cast her sister for the part.

Brown assured her that Chanté was the one she wanted and Chanté, the risk-taker, saw this as daring, a challenge, so she took it on.

“It was challenging and I wanted to see how well I could do.”

This role sparked something inside of her because this was the first time that her family acknowledged that she could actually sing.

“We were rehearsing at a little college and going through the songs. And I started singing “Home.” My mom and sister looked at me and asked, “When did you learn to sing?” This was a boost for me and I thought I must really be in now.”

She was officially bitten by the bug.

“The audience was clapping; I got hit by the show business bug. That moment was polarized for me. At the end, people stood and oohh wee, I thought this would be amazing to do.”

Four years later, Chanté was signed to a major label and things would never be the same.

To be continued…