Some singers set their sights on the stars, while those more humble just hope to be heard. Local talent Rachel Palumbo has just been given the mic.
Born and Raised in the Queen City, Rachel Palumbo has had her sights set on becoming an R&B singer.
"I've been singing my whole life. The first song I remember singing was "I'm Your Baby Tonight" by Whitney Houston. I found I enjoyed R&B music the most, even though I listen to everything," said Palumbo
Drawing inspiration from musical legends such as BB King and Aretha Franklin and contemporary musicians Alicia Keys and the soulful Joss Stone, Palumbo knew that this was the outlet she was looking for.
Taking to her new mode of expression, Palumbo began feverishly writing anything and everything that was on her mind. Finding her groove in the style of R&B and Hip Hop music, she found that her words flowed easily over its harmonized beats.
After penning her first single, "Take Notes," Palumbo was determined to have her voice heard. Unsure of how to begin her career, Palumbo turned to her hometown for support.
Relentless and determined, she sang at any venue willing to take a chance on a local and unknown singer. With all of her hard work, karma came around and blessed her with a break to have her single "Take Notes" featured on Buffalo's R&B, Hip Hop radio station 93.7WBLK.
Once Buffalo heard Palumbo's tender voice, the local reaction was outstanding. Fans began calling WBLK requesting to hear more of "Take Notes".
Not long thereafter, Palumbo reached number one on its hit list and secured its spot for a week straight. Holding her stance at number one, she was granted a once in a lifetime opportunity: to open for recording artist Ray J in May of 2008.
This was the exact boost that she needed. From here Paulmbo's next single, "Last Tear," gained even more praise and stayed at number one once again on WBLK, this time for five weeks straight.
With two successful singles and a legion of local fans standing behind her, Palumbo was nominated for "Female R&B Artist of the Year" and "Single of the Year" at the 2009 Unsigned Hype Music Awards.
With the ceremony held this past Saturday at the Town Ballroom, Palumbo was pleasantly surprised that she won the coveted "Female R&B Artist of the Year" award and was into the top three vote-getters for "Single of the Year."
Adding on to her resume of awards, Palumbo also placed third in Showtime at last years The Apollo's Amateur Night in Harlem, New York, and second in the U.S. Army's Operation Rising Star National Singing Competition in Texas.
Though singing is Palumbo's number one priority, she is also a dedicated student and will be graduating with a degree in psychology from UB this May.
If the pattern of Palumbo's ambition, grit and good luck holds, odds are you'll be hearing a lot more about her in the future. Her new album "Take Notes" release date has yet to be set, but promises to be out soon.
And so we wait.
