During a time when kids are moving faster then ever, Karina Pasian is enjoying life as a 17 year-old, going to high school and looking forward to prom. And during a time where a lot of people are wondering if there is any new music out there with substance to it, Karina Pasian is one of Def Jam's youngest artists and she's promoting her album, First Love.

Her first single "16 @ War" speaks directly to issues that teenagers deal with daily... "Why am I disrespected by someone I should call brother? And why do girls feel unpretty and constantly hate each other?" Teenagers really are in an everyday struggle and she seems to be narrating it in a way that is both appealing and empowering. She manages to sound mature and at the same time still sound her own age; a balance that not too many young artists can pull off.

She has been working her whole life towards this goal; playing the piano or singing at very early ages, as well as learning to sing in seven different languages. With her extraordinary talent, determination to make meaningful music, supportive family, a godfather in Quincy Jones, a position on Def Jam and plenty of airplay, she is well on her way to possibly being one of music's next big things.

HipHopDX: So you're 17 years old and signed to Def Jam with a new album out. How does it feel to have accomplished that at such a young age?
Karina: It feels great, you know... I've been working for this my whole entire life. I've been singing since I was very young and playing the piano since I was two. To finally have an album out with all my hard work and to have achieved it at such a young age is an amazing feeling.

DX: Has it been difficult keeping yourself from being compared other artists, especially young ones like Alicia Keys, who also plays the piano like yourself?
Karina: I wouldn't say it's been difficult. I mean, of course the comparisons are going to come especially since I'm a new artist. And of course I'm compared to Alicia Keys because we're both light skinned and play the piano. So I wouldn't say it's difficult because I'm really making my own name and showing everybody who I am with my music and my style and basically what I do.

DX: So what would you say makes you different?
Karina: I would say the style I sing in and the different influences I've had. I've had many, many difference influences like different cultures. I sing in seven different languages, I dance, I sing, I play the piano and act as well. And I guess also, because I'm so young.

DX: You sing in 7 different languages... what languages?
Karina: English, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, French, Russian and Arabic.

DX: That's pretty impressive... what made you decide to learn to sing in all those languages?
Karina: Well both of my parents went to college in Russia and they learned the language, so Russian was actually the first language that I spoke. They thought that it was important to have an open ear to languages and cultures so when I was growing up they played a lot of different styles of music and my ear grew to be diverse. My piano teacher was Russian and Turkish so he taught me the Turkish and Russian. And in school, as well, I sing in different languages so I just have my ear open and it's really diverse.

DX: So who would you say some of your influences are as far as artists?
Karina: I have an endless list but I'd say my main influences have been Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, Ella Fitzgerald, Kim Burrell, Beyonce...

DX: And right now what are you listening to?
Karina: I'm listening to a lot of Gospel right now, I love Gospel; like Kim Burrell and Kirk Franklin. I also like Jazz like Natalie Cole. And I'm definitely listening to Ne-Yo's [click to read] new album [Year of the Gentleman] [click to read]... Rhianna, Beyonce, Brandy.

DX: Your album definitely has a "strong, young woman" vibe to it... would you say that's a reflection of you?
Karina: Yeah, I would say that... I'm in that age where I'm still figuring out and learning about myself... in the transition to becoming a woman. I wouldn't say my album is too grown and I'm not trying to be older then what I am. I'd say it's more in that older teenager age, just trying to say who I am.

DX: “16 At War” has a strong message to it; how important is it to you that your music does more than entertain?
Karina: I feel like music can transcend and is very powerful. A lot of people they act on music and follow what music says. So for music to have a message and to speak to people is very important because to me that's what I feel the purpose of music is. It's just so wonderful and for me it's the biggest part of my life. It helps cheer you up or when you're in a sad mood it comforts you. So of course music can be for entertainment but I would say that it's important for music to have messages... especially nowadays.

DX: There are so many things influencing teenage girls these days, how do you feel knowing that you're a role model for girls your own age?
Karina: I'd say that it's an honor for me to be in that position, especially being a young girl and not an older role model. I'm trying to show people that this is attainable and that everybody can do this. They don't have to wait until they're older to try to reach their dreams. They can try to reach for it right now. Me being 17 and having achieved this... I'd say it's an amazing feeling to be the person that people look up to.

DX: You have a very famous godfather, Quincy Jones... what is some of the best advice he's given you?
Karina: He's definitely given me a lot of advice to stay humble and always stay close to my family. My family is who travels with me; my dad is my manager, and my brother is my road manager. So he's told me to stay close to my family, to keep working on my craft and to stay dedicated.

DX: How are you balancing school with all that you've got going on?
Karina: Well, this is my senior year and I do go to a public school; a performing arts school. I've been there since freshman year. I'm doing good and keeping up with my studies. I'm definitely trying to finish this year and graduate and go to prom and everything so I can't wait.

DX: If you could describe yourself in 4 words what would they be?
Karina: Energetic, talented, goofy and determined.