Melaner Quiroz of New York on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Melaner Quiroz and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Melaner, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building is a sense of peace in my artistry. For a long time, I was chasing validation, but now I’ve built a space where I create from honesty, not expectation. It’s not flashy, but it’s real, and it’s the reason my art connects the way it does

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Melaner a singer, songwriter, and storyteller who creates music for people who feel deeply. I started in the Latin music world, but over time, I felt pulled toward a more soulful, R&B-pop sound that felt honest to who I am. As an Afro-Latina artist, I’ve learned that representation isn’t just about being seen, it’s about being understood and that’s what I want my music to do. My brand and my art are built around vulnerability, self-reflection, and healing. Right now, I’m focused on building a community through my music especially for those who feel unseen, unfulfilled, or in the process of finding themselves again. My newest song, ‘Save Me From Myself,’ is a reflection of that journey, both as an artist and as a human learning to believe in her own voice.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks the bonds between people is silence not the peaceful kind, but the kind that comes from fear, pride, or misunderstanding. When we stop communicating, when we hide our truth because we’re scared it won’t be accepted, that’s when distance grows. What restores those bonds is honesty. Real, uncomfortable, human honesty. When someone says, “I feel that too,” the walls fall down. That’s what I try to create through my music reminders that we’re all just trying to find our way back to each other.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up not because I stopped loving music, but because I started doubting whether my voice really mattered. The industry can make you question yourself in ways you never expect. But every time I thought about walking away, I’d write something in my journal that reminded me why I started in the first place. That connection between my emotions, my story, and the people who listen always pulls me back.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people are getting it wrong by believing that success only comes from constant motion. Everyone’s chasing strategy, analytics, and perfection but they forget that connection can’t be calculated. The smartest thing you can do right now is slow down long enough to actually feel what you’re creating. Art, business, and even relationships lose their meaning when they’re built only to perform.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I made them feel seen. That my music gave words to emotions they didn’t know how to explain. I don’t care if they remember charts or stages I just hope they remember the feeling. The reminder that you can be flawed, emotional, complicated, and still worthy of love and purpose. If that’s what people carry when I’m gone, then I did what I came here to do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaner/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melanermusic
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCJQk9WL4qyV-j2tGl58_iWw

Image Credits
Photo: Henry Torres