In this interview, we talk with Gabi The Artist, a Montclair local with Afro-Latina roots from Puerto Rico. She began her musical journey at nine, playing heartfelt tunes on her guitar. Hoping to make music full-time, Gabi aims to unite people with her melodies, spreading joy for a better world. With a strong mindset, she conveys her message through the powerful medium of gospel music.
How did you find out about Make Music Day?
I’m a community girl. I’ve been playing locally in Montclair for a while. I remember one day in 2018, a friend of mine, Greg Pason, heavily involved in Make Music Day Montclair, saw me performing at a festival and really liked what he heard. He invited me to start performing for Make Music Day, and that’s how I learned about it.
How has your experience at Make Music Day been so far?
It’s been awesome. I just love how it brings the community together. Whenever I perform, I love to create a safe space and unity. We get to listen to music together, and it’s a beautiful exchange that I get to share at Make Music Day.
How did you start making music?
I was a very little girl when I started writing music. I was about nine years old when I wrote my first song. My mom was a singer in church, and my dad was a music appreciator; he was quite the performer. It’s like their love for music blended into mine. I come from an Afro-Latina background, so I was very open to many different kinds of music. I’ve always loved music growing up. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I picked up the guitar at fifteen, was self-taught, and just didn’t put it down after that.
What genres do you enjoy playing? I believe you’re more into gospel music, is that correct?
That’s correct. My father passed in 2018, and I was shut down creatively and in general. Originally, I was really heavy into pop and alternative pop; I still do it, but the way the Lord brought me back through music is just… music is so beautiful and powerful, and there is a beautiful connection that you can get through it. I had pushed everything away, but through 2019 and 2020, God was bringing me back in, and since then, I’ve literally been pouring out songs of prayers. All I can do is thank God that I’m still here.
In your concerts, do you mostly do originals? Do you also like to perform covers?
I do mostly originals, but I also like to fuse it with covers. I like to free flow, and I’m all about crowd engagement and bringing the crowd in like we’re performing together. We’re together; our energy is together, and our energy is one. It’s a beautiful reminder in that space that, even if we’re different on the outside, we’re still so similar on the inside. It’s important to remember that.
Are you doing music full-time at the moment?
My goal is to make it full-time definitely. Now, I also work with children. I’m a paraprofessional, and I help students with special needs. It’s been a blessing to work with the children; I’ve learned so much, and they inspire me every single day. I’ve grown so much as a person just by working with them, and also as an artist. Kids remind you to really let go and be yourself, and that’s what I always try to bring to the stage.
How would you describe what music means to you?
Music is my best friend. Music has been there when I haven’t been there for myself. I’ve been able to remember that I’m not alone when I can listen to a song and relate to someone else going through my struggles. Sometimes, as a human being, you get caught up feeling like “I’m the only one going through this,” but the reality is that we’re all going through it in different ways. Music reminds you you’re not alone; that’s why I love it.
What would you say your goal in music is?
My goal in music is to really bring everybody together. It may seem crazy to some people, but I do think it’s possible. I think peace on this Earth is possible through love, music, unity, kindness, people bringing who they are to the table, and leading with peace. I really think we could come together and make this world a better place.