Meet Mimi V | Musician & Singer/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mimi V and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mimi, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in New York until early childhood, where my passion for music and theatre arts began at the age of three. I made my stage debut with a starring role in the children’s musical theatre production “Free to be You and Me” at the Children’s Theatre in Nyack, New York. I wrote my first “real” song when I was nine, but I was always coming up with a jingle or singing around the house. The keyboard/piano was my instrument of choice growing up, but I could never (and still can’t haha) read sheet music- so I played a lot by ear. Tried the guitar for a bit and then switched my focus to vocals.

I remember growing up with my cousins and putting on pretend concerts, conducting mock interviews, it was the whole thing. We came up with a production company and would sit down, come up with ideas for music videos, film and edit them. I got pretty solid with Windows Movie Maker, haha. I’ve always known I wanted to pursue music and the arts one way or another.

As a teenager, my talents continued to flourish. I performed in various theatrical productions at my schools, was given the opportunity to sing the national anthem for games and ended up joining the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. I moved to Florida as a freshman and joined the drama club. I became a Thespian that year and really fell in love with the community. My deep-rooted passion for the arts remained a central part of my life.

In August of 2022, I released a music video for my first single, “Mouthwash”. It was such a dope experience and I got to work with a great friend of mine. Entrusting someone to bring your vision to life is such a nerve-wracking thing but he did a phenomenal job and I’m forever grateful to him for the time, dedication, and hard work he put into my first ever music video. Shout out to RoleTape!

In February of 2023, I released my debut EP, “Transitions,” which quickly made waves across streaming platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and YouTube Music. My music has since been featured on radio stations including HighlyUnique Radio in several cities + countries and Power104.4fm’s The Underground. While I identify as an Indie Alternative artist, I choose to remain unconfined by genre and embrace a wide range of musical expressions.

Now 27, I have over two decades of experience in the arts, which continues to fuel my dedication to music. In recent years, I’ve developed a love for playing the ukulele. I’ve been self-taught for about two years. The unique sound of the ukulele has quickly become an integral part of my performances. I think it adds an intimate touch to my already diverse musical style. The first time I performed with my ukulele was September 2023 when I had the honor of performing in Charlotte at the CIAF (Charlotte International Arts Festival) both city center and Ballantyne locations. I’ve also had the pleasure of performing at University City’s Juneteenth Art Festival and UCity Lights Winter Celebration (both 2024 in Charlotte, NC).

This month (April) I will be releasing four songs I’ve composed with my ukulele! It will be the first time I’ve ever recorded and released music with a live instrument. These singles as well as other songs I’ve released will be performed this June (2025) at the Ladies of Hip Hop & Soul event in Raleigh, NC. I also plan on releasing an album this year (2025) in October.

It’s been an amazing ride so far and I just feel like everything has come full circle. I definitely think I’m moving in the right direction.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I began my journey by performing at open mics, which often came with the challenge of paying for a performance slot, sometimes you’d pay $30 to perform just one or two songs. It can start to add up if you’re trying to get exposure and doing multiple open mics a week. A personal struggle I had was usually being the only singer / performing woman at the shows. Sometimes I’d feel like the odd one out, but I knew I deserved to be in the spaces just as much as anyone else- so I’d remind myself of that and keep pushing.

As I transitioned from open mics to headlining shows, the challenges evolved into more of a work-life balance struggle. Finding time to perform while still managing to support myself financially became increasingly difficult. There were nights when I’d get home from my bartending shift at 2 AM, only to realize I had a show the next day and barely any time to rehearse. It often meant staying up until 4 or 5 AM just to carve out a few precious moments for myself. There were even instances where I had to decline opportunities simply because my work schedule conflicted with the show. The work-life balance is something I still struggle with from time to time, but I keep track of things in my calendar and try to make sure I get enough rest for the workload.

I’m a musician who specializes in creating and performing with the ukulele, an instrument I picked up with no prior skill and quickly fell in love with. I’m most proud of releasing my debut EP, Transitions, which represents not just my musical evolution but also my ability to learn and grow as an artist. I’m most excited about releasing my ukulele tracks this year!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting Charlotte for a week, I’d make sure they had the perfect mix of food, adventure, and chill vibes. We’d kick things off in NoDa, grabbing lunch at Oh My Soul — it’s a fully vegan spot with tons of creative options, and the vibe is super artsy and chill. After that, we’d walk around the area, check out the murals, and maybe catch some live music in the evening.

I would definitely take them to Optimist Hall while they were here, one of my favorite spots to eat because there’s a little something for everyone. We could explore the local vendors, then hop back over to NoDa to visit some galleries and maybe catch an open mic night or a small show. NODA101 also has great karaoke.

I’d love to take them to the U.S. National Whitewater Center — hiking, zip lining, maybe a little rock climbing if we’re feeling brave. And of course, end the day with a cold beer by the water. If it’s the right season, we’d check out whatever event they have going on.

One of the days we’d take it easy, hang out in Plaza Midwood, absolutely, no questions asked grabbing some authentic Mexican food at Puerta (so good!), and just enjoy walking around the area. Tons of character, funky shops, and lowkey cool spots to explore.

For our night out we’d head to South End for some serious bar hopping. There’s always a crowd and good energy. We’d hit up the Charlotte Beer Garden for the gorgeous rooftop view, and definitely stop by Union as it’s a staple in the Charlotte community, hahaha.

You could also hit the road for a mini getaway to Asheville! Brewery hopping, mountain views, and a change of pace. It’s not far and totally worth it if you want to see another side of NC.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There wouldn’t be enough writing space in the world to shout out every person or place that has impacted me positively, supported me, pushed me, loved me, encouraged me, or mentored me. I am very blessed and deeply grateful for all of the kind and helpful people I’ve come across.

I do want to thank God because without Him none of this would even be possible. He gave me the talent and skills; and He continues to develop me and order my steps. If I have to pick- my family has been supportive of me since the very beginning. Any creative idea I’ve ever had has been supported, encouraged, and uplifted by them. They’re my biggest cheerleaders and have always had my back. I also wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Website: https://themimiv.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themimiv/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mimiv

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@themimiv07

Other: https://linktr.ee/themimiv?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadeHe2hFLdRL1fkIN44YHrvCqDusLcsFVdeSbERzfy1UiUTXm4gqCmt4e4nbg_aem_z-f15YHWEiVLze88oYLiCA

Image Credits
JR Dixon
BookLevi