Soul sensation Mica Paris has opened up about the soundtrack of her life in a deeply personal musical journey that reveals both her professional influences and private heartbreaks. The celebrated singer, known for her powerful vocals and collaborations with music legends, shared the songs that have shaped her from childhood to the present day.
From Gospel Roots to Soul Stardom
The first song that captured her heart was Walter Hawkins' gospel track 'God Will Open Doors', which she discovered through her aunt's imported American records. "I grew up on the Hawkins gospel family," Paris revealed. "They were my teachers." Interestingly, her grandparents found the music "a bit too secular" despite its religious nature, highlighting the generational differences in musical appreciation within her family.
Her first single purchase came at a tender age when she bought Tom Browne's 'Funkin' for Jamaica (NY)' from Red Records in Brixton. "I was so young I could hardly reach the counter," she recalled, painting a vivid picture of her early musical passion.
Musical Milestones and Emotional Connections
Prince's 'Adore' holds special significance for Paris, who inexplicably knows every lyric to the track. The soul star, who collaborated with the legendary artist, described how this particular song "always speaks to me" among all his extensive catalogue.
When it comes to party atmosphere, James Brown's 'Sex Machine' gets her endorsement as the ultimate floor-filler. "It gets everybody up and sends everybody nuts," she explained. "It's one of those songs that cuts through everyone's musical taste."
However, not all musical memories bring joy. Whitney Houston's 'Greatest Love of All' has become almost unbearable for Paris to hear. "It really hurts listening to it because I knew her so well," she confessed. The emotional impact is specific to Houston's work, as she noted: "I don't feel that way about Prince's music. But anything by Whitney just destroys me."
Personal Preferences and Future Plans
Paris revealed Marvin Gaye's 'Distant Lover' as her choice for romantic moments, while Busta Rhymes' 'Gimme Some More' serves as her go-to karaoke track. "It's such a wicked tune, and you don't have to be a great singer," she noted about the latter choice.
In a surprising admission, the soul singer confessed to secretly enjoying Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off', though she often pretends to be "a bit too past it" to appreciate it properly. "I'm a grandmother, babe. And a soul singer," she explained of the reactions she receives.
Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' proved life-changing for the artist, sparking her transition from gospel to soul music. "My dad played it to me in the car when I was around 12," she remembered. "I just remember looking at him and saying: 'I don't want to do gospel music for much longer, Dad. I want to do this kind of music.'"
Looking to the future, Paris has selected Gary Barlow's composition 'Heaven' - written for her new album - as her funeral song, with a specific request that Barlow himself perform it.
The singer continues to maintain an active career, currently working with Genaura Levagen+ Smart Face Serum and scheduled to perform at Watford Colosseum on 28 November.
