Hey Everyone – the video for my first single “Just can’t let you go” has debuted on Latina Magazine today May 16th, 2011.

I am so excited to release this video and so grateful to the people at Latina for featuring the video on their homepage!  You can check out my video and the accompanying article by clicking HERE!

Lil Twist is awesome! For all of you who might not know, he’s Lil Wayne’s protégé. I know right!!! He’s such a great guy and super talented. Shooting my music video with him was so much fun! I love how he really connected to the song and the emotion he put into it. I can’t wait for all you to see the two of us together in the music video for my VERY FIRST SINGLE – “Just Can’t Let You Go”.

“Just Can’t Let You Go” my first single comes out June 14 and I am so excited! It’s all been such a surreal experience and I can’t wait for all of you to hear the song! I remember when I first met the producers Tearce Kizzo and Francci. I told them that I really wanted to incorporate something unique into my songs…something different that you wouldn’t expect in a pop song.

Tearce broke out into beat-boxing, Francci hit that crazy high note and BAM! …”Just Can’t Let You Go” was born. It really amazes me the endless possibilities that are born from just an idea. All songs start off as just an idea or emotion. And then lyrics, melody, instruments and vocals are added; it keeps building and building until you have the finished product. Plus that feeling you get when you listen back to the mixed track for the fist time…there’s nothing like it! The human mind really is an incredible thing.

What is it in your life that you just can’t let go of? My single “Just Can’t Let You Go” is a song about passion. It’s when you have such a strong passion for someone or something that your heart just can’t let it go. So what is it that you can’t let go of? Is it that special boy or girl in your life? Is it that feeling you get when you are performing or playing a sport?

Music is my passion. It’s staying in my life whether it likes it or not! I just can’t let it go.

Follow me on twitter @manikaofficial and tell me what your passion is? What can’t you let go??? I want to know!!

Hey Everyone,

I was fortunate enough to sit down and talk to the folks at seventeen magazine recently.

At the sweet age of 16, fresh-faced artist Manika is already a singer, author and actress who is ready to rule the pop scene. (Shouldn’t be too difficult, considering she already caught the eyes [and ears] of Frank DiLeo, the manager of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.) With a hot new single, an upcoming television show and a yet-to-be-titled debut album on the way, this young talent may be the next big thing! CosmoGirl sat down with her to talk music, inspiration, and what’s up next.  Click HERE to read the whole interview.

Two things I learned when I was shopping this weekend.

1) Shiny pink objects are distracting.

2) People will stare at people (like me) who constantly sing aloud to the music playing in the store.

But then again, I’ve known this for years!

I just wanted to say thanks to the folks at Twist Magazine.  I dropped by their offices on my last trip to New York – it was great to meet you all!

Last week, rising pop singer Manika stopped by the TWIST office and gave us a special performance of her single, “Just Can’t Let You Go.” Check it out in the video above and then eavesdrop on our exclusive Q&A with her. Speak up in the comments and let us know what you think!

Click HERE to read the whole Q&A!