Charlize Ramirez
Written by Jennifer Ward
Looking for engaging and relatable music based on the dating scene in your 20s? Upcoming R&B artist Charlize Ramirez is rising to the stage to give you precisely what you want.
Ramirez, 21, Long Island born and raised, is just beginning her career. The singer-songwriter takes you on her journey of self-discovery, dating in your 20s, and growing up in her budding discography.
A recent graduate of The New School, Ramirez has immense plans for her future. Not knowing exactly where she’s headed or what she’s going to do, Ramirez is vocal about being open to any opportunity that comes her way.
Music has always been a major part of Ramirez’s life. Growing up Dominican, she grew up with Spanish music constantly playing in the house, with core memories of her dad always singing along, and going out of his way to restart a song just to talk about the lyrics with her.
Growing up watching her father and her uncle playing and creating music of their own just for fun was a major, if not the biggest, inspiration for Ramirez’s wanting to go into music. Observing this at such a young age made her want to grow up and do just that.
With songs documenting her life story, falling in love, out of love, and everything in between, it’s hard to not find yourself relating to her songs.
Photo by Tyler Thompson
“I would say honestly going out, dating, and being in that New York dating scene, which can be troubling, has been just pure inspiration itself,” said Ramirez. “That’s really what my music is about. It’s me experiencing life just as a young woman out in this world. Trying to figure out who I am, and what I want for myself.”
Photo by Tyler Thompson
Her songwriting process, however, is very unique to her. “It really differentiates depending on my mood. Recently, I’ve been doing everything super from scratch,” Ramirez said. “I’d book a studio session, and then have nothing written. Not a key or a beat or anything. I’d just walk in there and be like ‘Let’s see what we’re going to come up with today.’”
Ramirez, writing has been writing songs such as her first single “Always” as early as high school, she only started releasing music publicly in 2021, and there are many songs a listener can decide on as a favorite. For Ramirez however, “(201)” will always have a special place in her heart.
“I think just because that one came from a place where I was very sure of what I wanted and what I deserved. My EP is more ‘sad girl hours’ ‘I’m missing this person’ and ‘Who am I?’ (201) was more ‘You aren’t good for me and I know I deserve better,’” Ramirez said.
Photo by Tyler Thompson
Ramirez remains humble and hopeful as to where life is set to take her. With a degree in voice, she is hoping to pass her knowledge down as she goes on to a younger generation of hopeful musicians and teach what she knows.
“I hope to be really diverse in what I do. I hope I get to teach, I want to get to a point in my life where I get to share my own wisdom with kids that want to be in the music industry,” said Ramirez. “At the moment I’m open to anything and anything would be amazing because I just want to be in music and I love music enough to do that.”
Ramirez released her sophomore ep called “Through it All” released in October of 2023. “This ep is more of a reflection of what 2022 has been for me and the emotional rollercoaster for me. I was grieving the loss of my aunt, just trying to figure out what life would be like post-grad. It’s centered around an ode to my future self. I’m excited,” said Ramirez.
Photo by LEUCA
Since this summer, Ramirez has performed multiple gigs including her gig on Feb. 4., at Pete’s Candy Store. Ramirez also has released two new songs, “dishonest” and “KISS N TELL.” With many more exciting upcoming projects, Ramirez is not someone to miss out on.
Photo by Tyler Thompson
