Chicago singer-songwriter and producer Tatiana Hazel is a chameleon, both in sound and in style. Her new video for the breezy track “Imma Be” proves her versatile flair with visuals that unwind into a kaleidoscope of looks and colors.
“Imma Be” is from Hazel’s latest EP Toxic, which she dropped back in July. On the project, she tinkers with tons of different pop sounds, upbeat textures, and tinges of R&B. “Imma Be” is one of the most self-assured tracks on the release, and chronicles the day after Hazel gets fired from her day job, a blessing in disguise that eventually pushes her to focus fully on her music. ““I drank way too much last night, woke up in your bed this morning, I called into work right away, they say, “Girl, this is your final warning,” Hazel sings before getting to a refrain that proudly declares “screw it.” She affirms, “I know that I’m meant for bigger, better things, I know what I’m gonna be.”
The video, directed by Riley Anton Donavan, doubles as a fashion film, full of designs that Hazel created herself. She says the song, based on real-life events, is about wanting to still pursue your dreams even after you’ve made mistakes and gone through tough experiences. “I wrote Imma Be for people who work a 9 to 5 to fuel their passions and know that they have more to offer the world,” she tells Remezcla via email. “It is an anthem for pursuing your dreams and making the best of whatever obstacles life throws at you. For me, the obstacle was losing my day job, which caused me to become a full-time artist.”
Hazel plays with the idea of second chances and multiple life options by wearing a splashy mix of costumes and literally trying on different professions. She uses a series of Lotería cards as transitions between many of the bright shots, adding an extra nod to her Mexican upbringing and Chicana roots. The cards in the video have special meanings based on Hazel’s tattoos.
The whole thing is confident and vibrant, just like Hazel’s aesthetic. She currently has a few shows lined up and plans to share her glimmering sound in Chicago, Austin, and Madrid — if you want to check her out live, take a peek at some of the dates below.
3/9 – Chicago, IL – The Hideout
3/11-16 Austin, TX – SXSW
6/1 Madrid, Spain – Sound Isidro Festival