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Although we live in a time when teenagers get record deals overnight simply because they have a pretty face and a popular YouTube clip, please don't get Karina Pasian's success twisted. The first generation dominicana from Washington Heights—which her blog states is a mostly Latino ‘hood but I thought had been gentrified as bad as Williamsburg—is a classically trained pianist who's fluent in Spanish and can sing in seven different languages, including Arabic and Russian. Her "16 @ War" single tackles drug abuse, absent fathers, and being hit on by older men. SiTV.com chatted with the sophisticated songstress, who's all-time favorite album is Brandy's Full Moon, the day after her appearance at a KDAY-sponsored roller skating party at L.A.'s World on Wheels.

SiTV.com: So with all this Def Jam hype, are you still attending high school?
Karina: Yeah, I'm a junior at Professional Performing Arts School in Downtown New York, but when I travel I get tutored.

SiTV.com: Does music run in your blood?
Karina: My mom sings and my dad has a big appreciation for jazz—Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. There was a lot of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, and Stevie Wonder in the house growing up. My parents are both high school teachers.

SiTV.com: How would you describe your music?
Karina: It's a fusion of R&B, soul and pop, with a little jazzy twist.

SiTV.com: How did you get signed?
Karina: I came to L.A. to meet with Interscope, Warner, Televisa and Def Jam. I had a meeting with Jay-Z and L.A. Reid. I've been working on my craft. When it happened in 2005, it was just my first step in a long journey.

SiTV.com: Is it hard being so young in this industry?
Karina: Nah, Def Jam is flexible. When I first got signed I immediately started recording positive lyrics. They were fine with that.

SiTV.com: Do you write your own songs?
Karina: I have a lot of input around me [coming from] The Dream, Ne-Yo, Lil Mama and Gordon Chambers. But it's how I feel. The process—with such talented writers—is why I do this.

SiTV.com: What has your schedule been like lately?
Karina: I just finished a promotional tour all over the U.S. We went to the Boys & Girls Club in Miami, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. I travel with my mom, my dad and my brother, who's my road manager.

SiTV.com: What's the future looking like?
Karina: I do plan to do a Spanish album and some in other languages. Other than that, just staying positive.

SiTV.com: Shout-outs?
Karina: Have a lot of faith in yourself and stay strong for Karina. First Love in stores today, ya'll!

Check out Karina's blog here. It's kinda cute and even has her phone number listed (646-797-3571) but don't think you get to holla. It's just a voice message saying, "Be sure to join my mobile fan club for exclusives and contests." It's your call.