Every Sunday, the music has been on and poppin’ at Time Out Market New York. For the past year, the rooftop has been home to Signature Sundays. Held during brunching hours, the weekly event is powered by a rotating cast of female musicians, enhancing our mornings with soulful sounds and electrifying salsa celebrations.
Gracing our stage every first and last Sunday of the month is Afro-Latina singer Melaner Quiroz. Going by her first name, Melaner began singing at a young age. Her tenacity and passion for the profession led her to performing on the national stage as a contestant in Univision’s Reina De La Canción. Weaving in Spanish and English in her sets, Melaner proudly displays her heritage in each and every performance. We sat down with the singer to talk about her early days performing, how she found her sound and what you can expect for an upcoming performance at Time Out Market.
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What made you want to pursue a music career?
Melaner Quiroz: I’ve always had a natural connection to music—creativity has always been second nature to me. But I never really felt like I chose this path; I truly believe it chose me. I know that sounds cliché, but I once tried to walk away from it, and somehow, music found its way back to me. It has become something far greater than just a personal pursuit. It’s about the music I want to share and the emotions I want people to feel when they listen. Music is powerful; it can heal, inspire, and connect people in ways words alone cannot. That is what keeps me going.
How old were you when you started performing? Do you remember your first performance?
MQ: I started performing as early as preschool. I loved being in front of an audience, so I was drawn to dance and little talent shows. I don’t remember my very first performance, but I do remember the moment I knew this was something I had to pursue. In high school, I stepped onto a real stage for the first time, and I was absolutely terrified—so much so that my voice shook when I sang. As a teenager, you are a lot more aware than you are as a kid, which made me develop these nerves. When I walked off, I felt horrible about the performance. You would think that experience would have made me walk away, but it did the opposite. I’m incredibly competitive, especially with myself, so I made a promise that I would never allow myself to feel that unprepared again. That determination led me to push harder, train more and truly refine my craft.
In 2019, you were cast Reina de la Canción, making it to the top nine. What was it like performing on such a national stage?
MQ: Reina de la Canción was a defining moment in my life. It was my first time performing on a major television stage in front of millions of people. Ironically, at that time, I had actually considered giving up music—not because I didn’t love it, but because I feared I wouldn’t be able to sustain myself financially. I had a stable corporate job, and a friend of mine (shout out to Justin!) convinced me to audition. I went into a fully Spanish-speaking competition singing an English song, not even taking the audition seriously. But somehow, I made it onto the show, and that experience changed everything for me.
Being on television is a completely different beast than performing on a live stage. It challenged me in ways I never expected. And being surrounded by so many incredibly talented women, I felt the pressure like never before. But making it to the top nine and seeing how people reacted to the only Afro-Latina on the show really pushed me to stop living in fear. After Reina de la Canción, I quit my corporate job and committed my life entirely to music. That moment showed me that playing it safe was never an option for me.
How would you describe your sound? How has it evolved from your early career to now?
MQ: My sound has completely transformed over the years. I started off as a young girl singing Christina Aguilera and Destiny’s Child, then ventured into Latin music because I wanted to honor my Afro-Latina roots. But as I grew, I realized that my identity wasn’t tied to a single genre—I could embrace my culture without limiting myself musically. Now, I create music in English that feels true to who I am, but I still find ways to weave in Spanish elements because that part of me will always be present. More than anything, I want my music to be powerful—to carry meaning not just through the lyrics but through every note and melody. I don’t create just to create; I create to move people.
As an Afro-Latina woman, you’ve been very vocal about using your platform to open doors for more Black and Indigenous performers in the industry. How are you using music to provide space for others?
MQ: For me, success has never been about getting to the top alone. I want to bring my people with me. I always look for ways to incorporate my friends and fellow artists into what I do. I never want to be the only one sitting at the table—I want to look around and see my community thriving with me. Representation matters, and if I can help create space for more Black and Indigenous artists in this industry, then I know I’m doing something right.
You’ve been performing at Time Out Market in NYC for our Signature Sundays. What can people expect when they attend a show?
MQ: Expect to laugh, cry and let go. Expect to feel something. A lot of us go through life suppressing our emotions, and music has this incredible way of breaking down those walls. I’ve had people come up to me with tears in their eyes, telling me that a song I sang reminded them of their grandmother or a loved one. Moments like that make everything worth it.
Where else can people find you?
MQ: You can find me on all social platforms @melaner. I perform all over NYC, and I would love to see you at one of my shows! If you’re a fellow artist, reach out to me—I love connecting with other creatives. I want to leave you with one last thought: independent artists rely on support. Support doesn’t always mean spending money—it can be as simple as clapping after a song, sharing a post or telling a friend about an artist you love. We count on you to help amplify our voices. So next time you come across an artist, I hope you think of me and choose to support them in any way you can.
You can catch Melaner at Time Out Market every first and last Sunday of the month for Signature Sundays.