LISA VELEZ 

Lisa Velez, better known as the frontwoman from the 1980s group Lisa Lisa and The Cult Jam, gets lost in emotion when you ask her anything about New York City. That’s because the singer, whose hit songs include “Can You Feel the Beat,” “I Wonder If I Take You Home,” and “Head to Toe,” was not only born and raised in Manhattan but every milestone that led Velez to where she is today happened right in the heart of New York City. As Velez takes a trip down memory lane in this exclusive interview for New York Lifestyles Magazine, the award-winning singer shares why she could never live anywhere but in New York.

Where in New York City were you born?
I was born and raised in Midtown Manhattan, on 49th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, before we moved to 51st Street. Yes, there were plenty of us—I’m one of ten siblings. With my whole family still here, New York truly feels like home.

In what ways has New York influenced you both as a performer and a mother?
New York is truly the melting pot of the U.S., rich in diverse cultures. As a Puerto Rican, that heritage is deeply ingrained in me. Everything about my identity traces back to New York City—from the food and music to the people and vibrant streets of Broadway. It all comes together to shape who I am.

Do you take the New Yorker in you on stage at your performances?
Always! It’s who I am, so when you see me perform, you can see and hear it, too. My music is all about my life in New York. I was raised listening to salsa. Here in the Big Apple, there is a serious and unique flavor that includes fashion, hairstyles, and as I just mentioned, music. This is where I draw my inspiration.

Tell our readers where and when you were discovered.
It happened when I was 13 years old at The Fun House in New York City, a popular club/hangout on the West Side known for its freestyle music and helping Madonna launch her career.

When did you know you made it?
When I heard myself on Z100 for the first time. I was working at Benetton folding sweaters. It was at that moment I knew I was connecting with my people. New Yorkers are the most competitive bunch. When I knew I captured their attention, I knew I was on my way.

Which venue or arena has had the most significance for you?
Radio City Music Hall. It was my dream to perform there. I remember I used to stare at Radio City Music Hall when I was a kid and tell my parents that I wanted to see my name up in lights on the marquee. When that happened in 1984, I remember getting off the tour bus, getting on the ground, and kissing the sidewalk. We had a sell-out performance for two nights. It was magical.

Do you regularly perform at Radio City Music Hall?
Yes, once every year. Our last time was last July. The day before, I was in the 67th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade, another big piece of New York I treasure.

Given your career involves worldwide travel, what keeps you anchored in New York rather than living elsewhere?
New York is home. Everything I was taught and how I was raised is here in New York. I also wanted to raise my children here to understand and explore the many different neighborhoods of New York—Broadway, the West Village and the Lower East Side. They all have music!

New York City is considered the food capital of the world. Where do you like to go?
I do a lot of home cooking, but if I am going out for dinner, I am a fan of the restaurants around the theater district because there are many cuisines and cultures in that one area of the city. I used to go to a Cuban restaurant called La Palma, which I believe has closed its doors.

Lastly, what are your top tips for maintaining healthy skin as we age?
I do a lot of home cooking, but if I am going out for dinner, I am a fan of the restaurants around the theater district because there are many cuisines and cultures in that one area of the city. I used to go to a Cuban restaurant called La Palma, which I believe has closed its doors.

As for street fairs, The Ninth Avenue Food Festival is by far the best in New York. Held annually during the Spring, it is a two-day food extravaganza featuring delicacies from distinct cultures. Plus, there is great music and cool merchandise you can buy.

What about nightlife? Where do you like to hang out and explore?
Listening to live music in the Village on West 3rd Street. Café Wha and The Blue Note are also two of my favorite places where you can find me. 

Where does Lisa Velez go to wander and explore?
The Hudson Yards and the Highline are amazing. When I was a kid, I remember it was nothing more than a highway. Not anymore. Today, it’s a park with restaurants and places to shop, plus walking and bike paths. I also like to visit Central Park and Broadway. 

What has been the most important lesson you instill in your children about the city?
Many people from many different countries have come to New York to rebuild a new life. My kids need to know that this is where so many people were created. Take me, for example. When I was growing up in Hell’s Kitchen, it was a predominantly Irish and Puerto Rican area. Now, everything has changed and evolved, but you never forget where you came from. We fought to get here and made New York happen together.