Virgin deal for Malaysian-born singer Che’nelle

New sensation: Che’nelle will be releasing her 12-track albumfeaturing various genres ranging from pop to R&B.

Lebanese pop queen hopes to dazzle Malaysian audience 

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian-born songbird Che’nelle has clinched a recording deal with New York-based recording company Virgin Records. 

The 24-year-old R&B-reggae singer’s debut album, Things Happen For A Reason, will hit local record stores in September. 

“I’m from Putatan (Sabah) and can’t believe my dream of releasing an album has finally come true. My parents always knew I loved singing and encouraged me to pursue my interest since young,” said Che’nelle during a phone interview from Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. 

The singer was in the Land of the Rising Sun for a showcase and to promote her album. 

Che’nelle, whose real name is Cheryline Lim, is of Chinese and Indian-Dutch parentage. 

She was born in Kota Kinabalu but moved to Perth, Australia, at the age of 10.  

Her father Chiang Lim is a civil engineer based in China while her mother Edith Estrop and younger brother Jonathan reside Down Under. She currently lives in New Jersey. 

The spunky vocalist’s 12-track album features various genres ranging from pop to R&B. 

The attractive singer, who studied music at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, said her album was a combination of her personality, cultural background and experience growing up in three countries – Malaysia, Australia and the United States. 

“The songs are about various situations that have happened in my life. I am certain listeners will be able to relate to them,” said Che’nelle, who wrote 10 songs in the album. 

American music veteran Charles Dixon discovered Che’nelle.  

She shares the same management team as popular American producer-rapper Kanye West and had performed as the opening act on his Australian tour in March last year. 

Che’nelle’s first single I Fell in Love with the DJ is set to hit local radio stations next week.