Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Her audition: Radha, 20, of Jersey City, N.J., auditioned with “Mama Knows Best” by Jessie J. Her big opening prompted a quick chair turn by Adam Levine. Jennifer Hudson and Blake Shelton also turned by the end of the performance. Adam blocked Jennifer, then landed Radha for his team after compimenting her “control and maturity.”

Her background: A first-generation Filipino-American, Radha said she’s following in her father’s musical footsteps. He played guitar in a band when she was young. Radha won the first singing competition she ever entered and says that’s one reason she wound up pursuing music. A full-time college student, she still finds time to write and record her own songs. She started singing at age 4 and wrote in her high school yearbook that she would one day be on The Voice.

On the block and being on Team Adam: Radha said she was honored Adam used his block to try to land her for his team and that he turned around so quickly. “I really love working with Adam as a coach because he’s very honest. I’m the type of person that really likes straight-forward honestly. It okay to be hard on me a little because I take instruction and criticism well.”

What the show didn’t show:

* Her full first name, Radharani, means “graceful Indian queen.” Her last name is Martinez.

* On Facebook, Radha identifies herself as a power singer/songwriter who “delivers pop music that incorporates R&B, soul, electronic, hip-hop & dance.”

* She’s been especially active the past two years, releasing three singles in 2017 — “High Tide,” “Thank You,” and “Best Friend” — and four so far in 2018 — “Somebody Like Me,” “Saint,” “Chances” and “Mama.” You can check out the catchy “Best Friend” below; “Somebody Like You” is equally addictive.

* Just prior to releasing “Chances,” she wrote on Instagram: “I’ve been writing and making music in a different state of mind. I’ve been a lot more serious and personal with my messages.”

* Radha was born in Hoboken and raised in Jersey City and started singing around the age of 4, according to the bio on her Reverb Nation page.

* She won the first singing competition she ever entered, Pinoy’s Got Talent, in 2012.

* She went on to compete in the Big Joe Jersey Talent Show, aired live on 101.5 FM, and wound up placing as the second runner-up.

* While still in high school, Radha sang at a number of community events. She also became a frequent performer of the national anthem at games of the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.

* Radha is attending Montclair State University, studying TV and digital media.

On social media:
Instagram
Twitter: @OfficialRadha
Facebook
YouTube