Today we’d like to introduce you to C13.
Hi C13, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My music journey started early—my dad was a sound engineer, so I was exposed to music from as young as three years old. I remember being in the studio with him while he recorded live bands and artists. He created an environment where I could explore different instruments and see how music was made from the ground up. Sometimes he’d write and produce songs just for fun and have me sing them. I still have a few of those recordings from when I was just a toddler—they’re a reminder of how deeply rooted music is in my life.
When I moved to Belize at age 7, I didn’t have many friends or much family around, so music became my comfort and outlet. I started writing lyrics, even copying down the words to songs I already knew just to memorize them better. Looking back, that hyperfocus on lyrics helped me develop a strong sense of songwriting and structure that I still use today.
In school, English was my strongest subject. I loved writing haikus and poetry—it was one of the first ways I learned to express myself. After high school, I met a local rapper in San Diego who inspired me to start writing music again. That’s when I released my first single, Karma & Son, in 2016. By 2019, I began taking music more seriously and started honing in on my sound.
My style has been influenced by a mix of genres—Latin and Afro-Caribbean music, R&B, rock, and rap. Artists like Michael Jackson, Outkast, Hilary Duff, Aaliyah, and Fefe Dobson all played a role in shaping the way I see and hear music. That range shows up in my catalog—I don’t like to box myself in. I want people to feel like it’s okay to experiment, to be diverse, and to try new things. My music is a reflection of all the different sounds that have influenced me and continue to shape me today.
Music has always been a space for me to grow, connect, and create without limits—and that’s what I hope listeners take from it too.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some struggles with pursuing music definitely for me has to be the lack of community. Sometimes it’s a struggle going out to shows and not having people to help with tasks such as taking pictures or videos and that can also share your art. It a lot of the time feels like a one woman show and can get overwhelming especially all while still working a full time job. Time management is a big thing as well and I tend to get burnt out often.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I sing, rap, and learning to DJ! I would say I’m known for the range in my music and diversity. I have something for everyone I feel. I have a crunk song called “Go Crazy” , I have a slow R&B song called “Obsessed”, and have an Afro-Latin song called “Dance with Me” and more!
I’m learning to become more fluent in Spanish and would love to really hone in and tap in to making even more songs in Spanish and DJing Afro- Latin songs.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
For me I think just remaining humble, being a student willing to learn from others, and showing my personality. Professionalism as well and keeping in mind how you handle yourself as a business especially as a woman in this male dominated industry!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its.c13
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@its.c13
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Its.C13
Image Credits
@itsameliadlv @advissmusic
