Justine Darcenne

Singer + Songwriter

Justine Darcenne on SoundBetter

Your song deserves vocals that make people stop and feel. I’m a versatile singer-songwriter, vocal producer, and audio engineer with rich tone, emotional delivery, precise harmonies, and professional-quality vocal production. From soulful leads and background vocals to toplines and polished vocal arrangements, I’ll bring your record to life.

I’m Justine Darcenne, a professional singer-songwriter, vocal producer, and audio engineer specializing in soulful lead vocals, background vocals, harmonies, vocal arrangements, and topline writing.

My voice blends the emotion and richness of R&B and soul with the versatility to work across pop, gospel, and contemporary music. I’ve contributed background vocals to Trey Songz’s *Tremaine the Album*, appeared as a featured vocalist on “Find My Love,” and performed as a singer and dancer alongside Kirk Franklin at the 2025 BET Awards. I also studied audio engineering at SAE Institute, so I understand both the creative and technical sides of building a strong vocal.

Whether you need a captivating lead, layered harmonies, a memorable melody, or help turning a rough vocal idea into a polished arrangement, I approach every project with care, creativity, and attention to detail. When you hire me, you’re getting more than a vocalist—you’re getting a collaborative creative partner who knows how to interpret a song, communicate its emotion, and deliver clean, professionally recorded vocals that bring your record to life.

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

Credits

Discogs verified credits for Justine Darcenne
  • Trey Songz
  • Trey Songz
  • Rico Love

Languages

  • English

Interview with Justine Darcenne

  1. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  2. A: One project I’m especially proud of is my single “Don’t Wake Me Up.” I served as the artist, songwriter, lead vocalist, and vocal producer. I developed the vocal arrangements and helped shape the emotional direction of the record. I’m proud of it because it represents my growth as an independent artist and my ability to carry a song from an initial idea through recording, creative development, and release.

  3. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  4. A: I’m currently developing my own music while collaborating with other artists through songwriting, demo vocals, background-vocal arrangements, and vocal production. I’m also continuing to expand my catalog and build relationships with artists, producers, and music professionals.

  5. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  6. A: I’m still expanding my professional network on SoundBetter, so I don’t currently have a specific provider I can personally recommend. However, I’m looking forward to connecting with other talented professionals and building trusted creative relationships on the platform.

  7. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  8. A: Digital, because it gives me the flexibility and efficiency to record, edit, organize, and deliver professional work remotely. However, I still value the warmth and character associated with analog sound and enjoy incorporating that feeling whenever it serves the music.

  9. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  10. A: I promise to treat your song with care, professionalism, creativity, and respect. I will communicate clearly, honor your vision, meet our agreed-upon expectations, and deliver work that I am genuinely proud to attach my name to.

  11. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  12. A: I love helping someone hear their idea come to life. There is something special about taking a voice note, melody, instrumental, or unfinished concept and helping shape it into a record that feels complete.

  13. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  14. A: Clients often ask whether I can match a particular sound or reference. My answer is that I can study the tone, energy, and approach of a reference while still delivering an original performance that serves their song.

  15. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  16. A: One of the biggest misconceptions is that professional vocal work is simply about singing the correct notes. A strong performance also requires emotional interpretation, tone, timing, dynamics, pronunciation, vocal production, and understanding how every layer supports the record.

  17. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  18. A: I ask about the song’s message, intended audience, musical references, desired vocal style, file requirements, deadline, budget, and revision expectations. I also ask whether the client has a specific arrangement in mind or would like me to contribute creatively.

  19. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  20. A: Look for someone who understands both the technical assignment and the emotion behind your song. Share clear references, explain your vision, and communicate your expectations upfront. The best results happen when the client and provider treat the process as a creative partnership.

  21. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  22. A: I would bring my laptop, audio interface, condenser microphone, studio headphones, and MIDI keyboard. That would give me everything I need to record vocals, write songs, build arrangements, and turn ideas into complete demos

  23. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  24. A: I began singing and writing music at a young age, attended the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music, and later studied audio engineering at SAE Institute. Since then, I’ve continued developing as a singer-songwriter, vocal producer, performer, and engineer. My professional credits include work connected to Trey Songz, Kirk Franklin, Jon Batiste, Jon Bellion, Ayra Starr, Wanyá Morris, and Rico Love.

  25. Q: How would you describe your style?

  26. A: My style is soulful, feminine, emotionally expressive, and harmony-driven. I combine classic R&B influences with a modern approach, bringing warmth, vocal precision, and personality to every record.

  27. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  28. A: I would love to work with Brandy because her vocal arrangements, tone, and approach to background vocals have influenced generations of singers. Creating vocal layers with her would be both inspiring and creatively challenging.

  29. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  30. A: Every vocal layer should have a purpose. More vocals do not automatically create a better arrangement. The best harmonies, doubles, and ad-libs enhance the emotion of the song while leaving enough space for the lead vocal to connect.

  31. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  32. A: I primarily work on R&B, pop, soul, contemporary gospel, and music that blends those styles. I especially enjoy records that are emotional, melodic, intimate, or vocally driven.

  33. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  34. A: My strongest skill is vocal arrangement. I have a natural ear for harmonies, background-vocal placement, stacks, textures, and ad-libs that support the lead without overpowering the song.

  35. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  36. A: I bring emotion, vocal versatility, strong harmonies, creative instincts, and attention to detail. I don’t simply sing the notes—I listen for what the song needs and find ways to make the performance feel more memorable and authentic.

  37. Q: What's your typical work process?

  38. A: I begin by learning the client’s vision, references, timeline, and expectations. Once we are aligned, I study the song, develop the vocal or writing approach, record the material, and deliver clearly labeled files. I include up to two revisions so we can make sure the final result feels right.

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: I have a professional home-recording setup that allows me to record clean lead vocals, background vocals, harmonies, stacks, and demos. My audio-engineering background also helps me deliver organized, high-quality vocal sessions that are ready for production and mixing.

  41. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  42. A: I’m inspired by artists and creators like Brandy, Jazmine Sullivan, Victoria Monét, Beyoncé, Darkchild, Timbaland, and Rico Love. I admire professionals who combine strong vocal production, memorable songwriting, creativity, and emotional storytelling.

  43. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  44. A: I most commonly provide lead vocals, background vocals, vocal production, songwriting, and demo creation. I help clients transform their ideas into polished, emotionally engaging records.

Terms Of Service

Turnaround: 5–7 business days. Two revisions included; additional revisions may incur a fee. Projects must be funded before work begins. Publishing splits and credits must be agreed upon in advance.

GenresSounds Like
  • Brandy
  • Ms. Lauryn Hill
  • Musiq Soulchild
Gear Highlights
  • Focusrite
  • Shure SM7dB
  • Macbook pro
More Photos
More SamplesMy single, "Don't Wake Me Up"