It’s minutes before 18-year-old rising music sensation Mimi has to take the stage in Orlando, Florida as co-headliner (along with rapper Silento) of the 10th annual High School Nation tour. The tour, which will run throughout November, is recognized as the country’s premiere music and arts festival for teenagers. It is Mimi’s first time touring, and the opening date of the tour was her first performance.
“It’s a lot, the flying away from home is always difficult, but I enjoy it. I enjoy performing and meeting all of the students and getting to interact with everybody,” Mimi told So Booking Cool. Hawaii is home for the young singer, born and raised. It is also where she launched her music career at 15-years-old when her uncle asked if she wanted to sing.
Mimi has transitioned from island music to a more mainstream sound. She raps on her new single “Lightweight,” a fan-favorite, in which Mimi describes as a “hype song to turn up to.” While she says her new sound is most reflective of her musical taste, she makes it clear that she does not want to be put into a box. When discussing her newly-released EP, The Life of Mimi, she said, “Each song has a different texture to it. I wanted to just touch on various topics. I don’t want to be constrained to one sound so I do a whole bunch of them so people can’t label me as a pop artist or a hip hop artist. I just wanna be known as an artist.”
Check out the interview to learn more about her views on artistry, performing, what she learned from fellow Hawaiian music star Bruno Mars’ concert, her favorite book, and more! For more information, visit Mimi’s official website.