Change-Maker Marcella “Ms. Lago” Araica, Founder of the Red Bottoms Foundation!
Marcella “Ms. Lago” Araica is credited as the most charitable and amazing producer/sound engineer who was instrumental in catapulting the career of rising star, Luke James. He was on the music scene for over 10 years trying to find his way and it wasn’t until he was guided by Marcella did his career skyrocket to him joining Beyoncé on her Mrs. Carter Global Tour, earning a Grammy nod and now, starring in the feature film Black Nativity alongside Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett!
Marcella’s unrivaled academic success and an influx of industry accolades in conjunction with her innate benevolence has inspired her to launch The Red Bottoms Foundation, which seeks to educate, empower, guide and nurture women with aspirations towards upward mobility in the entertainment industry.
Having worked with musical icons such as Pink, Duran Duran, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Keri Hilson, Madonna, Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Joe Jonas and Missy Elliot. She has collaborated with revered super-producers Timbaland, Danja, and Polow Da Don. Credited for mixing over one hundred chart-topping songs, her numerous prestigious accomplishments and musical prowess have shattered the glass ceiling for women within the music industry. In just a few short years this pioneering musical mastermind has already accomplished what most strive to achieve in a lifetime. Our very our Thelma Mbaezue, had a chance to chat with Marcella on how she gives back through her Red Bottoms Foundation.
Thelma: You are a phenomenal talent you have recorded and mixed songs for world-renowned musical icons such as Pink, Duran Duran, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Keri Hilson, Madonna, Chris Brown, Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Joe Jonas, Mariah Carey, the late and great Whitney Houston, and even Missy Elliot whom you started your career off working for. Well you have come a long way from Missy’s assistant engineer to Award winning and Grammy nominated mix engineer.
Thelma: You started your career in 2002, graduating top of your class from Full Sail University’s Production and Recording Program, take us through your journey from then to now. The struggles you’ve faced, the resistance you’ve faced as woman in this industry and how that has inspired your foundation.
Marcella: I never realized until I went to school that engineering was such a male-dominated profession. I was in a class of 165, and 160 were male. I knew that if I succeeded, I could make a difference for many more to come.
Thelma: You are definitely a role model for women who strive to be in this business, what feedback have you recieved from other artist about the Red Bottoms foundation? (Any artist in particular?)
Marcella: Oh all the feedback has been great, everyone has been very supportive. I have been in the studio with Mary J Blige and she has been immensely supportive, has as every celebrity that I have worked with including Luke James and a host of others.
Thelma: The Red Bottoms Foundation does a lot, could you please speak on the annual SOLE-ful HEEL-ing Empowerment Dinner Series.
Marcella: The SOLE-ful HEEL-ing Empowerment Series is an invitational gathering for inspirational and professional women who share a strong interest in elevating the aspirations and actions of young women in varying industries. Individuals are invited to join on the basis of their professional, personal and philanthropic achievements. The dinner setting is created to position each invited member for mentoring and fellowshipping to draw upon for inspiration and support.
Thelma: Girl the right pair of shoes make all the difference. As women when we think red bottoms we think elegant, and when we put on a pair there’s an extra “oomfoo” confidence that come along. Part of the red bottoms foundation’s goal is “Transforming the Industry One step at a time”, but in those shoes its one fabulous step at a time. So tell us how did you decide on that name?
Marcella: The Red Bottoms Foundation was named in homage to designer Christian Louboutin’s signature red-bottomed shoes, which to founder, Marcella Araica, personifies strength, grace and confidence – the very characteristics necessary to ascend in the industry. The foundation’s blueprint is synonymous with the ability to empower a fearlessly creative mindset.
Thelma: Your foundation is doing great things in the community, how can even more people get involved?
Marcella: Reach out to us, our website, www.redbottomsfoundation.org to get the conversation started and learn more about our programs.
Thelma: What can we can we expect in the future fromThe Red Bottoms Foundation?
Marcella: Big things, continuing to pursue our mission.
Thelma:Before you go, we must discuss this. Oh i did my research and i know you have a little guilty pleasure, a little sweet tooth. We both have this love affair with TWIZZLERS! What role do they play in your creative process ?
Marcella: Laughing, They play a very pivotal role, gotta have my twirlers!
Thelma: “Recording is an art in it’s own right, but mixing is where it’s at for me”, watching video of you in the studio you are so in sync with your art, and you’ve accomplished so much already but what are some goals you’d like to accomplish in the years to come perhaps some artists you’d like to collaborate with in the future?
Marcella: I’ve already worked with Beyonce in the past, but I’d love to get into the studio with her again. I truly admire her work ethic so definitely Beyonce is someone I would like to work with in the future.
Thank you so much for being with us today Marcella, BCG is frontier in providing news on Change – Makers philanthropists such as your self. I definitely want to commend you on your achievements, your foundation and what you symbolize for young women world wide.
For more information on Marcella “Ms. Lago” Araica and her Red Bottoms Foundation head over to www.redbottomsfoundation.org.
