Old Capitol Books in downtown Monterey is a special place for Marina-based Skylar Walters, aka Miss Fortune, an R&B/hip-hop performer and CSUMB student, who arrived in Monterey County in 2024.
Since her recording debut in 2022, she has released several singles and an EP, Activated, in 2025. Miss Fortune is working on an album titled D.A.W.N.—releasing this November. Her most recent singles are "Ode to 318" and "Catwalk"—available on all music platforms.
"You can go in there and you just get lost," she says about Old Capitol Books, where she already performed in the fall of 2025 and will return on Friday, April 17. "I like the types of books they keep there and just how cozy the space is."
Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, Walters comes from a family with strong musical traditions. A self-taught musician and producer, she used to sing in a choir. She chose CSUMB for her degree because she fell in love with the location.
"I'm not really a city hustling, bustling kind of girl," she says. "I like being able to slow down. And I feel like Monterey provides me that peace."
Miss Fortune has performed at several CSUMB events, such as the All Black Gala and the International Women's Day conference. She also runs karaoke events. Her songs combine delicate, emotional singing with sharp, witty rap; the subject matter centers on a Black woman's experience—from her own biography and aspirations to dating and even ovulation.
As inspiration, she credits her grandfather, music educator Donald Walters. Other names she mentions include Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Solange, Anthony Hamilton, Earth, Wind & Fire, Doechii and Linkin Park.
Asked about what it feels like to live in a county where African Americans don't have strong representation, Miss Fortune says:
"When you go down from Marina and Seaside, you see how increasingly less and less of color it gets," she says about the population. "I show up and I pop up in these places [Carmel, Pacific Grove] on purpose. I understand how it must feel for the old white people: 'Excuse me, where are you? Where'd you come from? Why are you here? You have a nice car. You are very well presented. You're in my restaurant, you can afford to eat here.' It's weird.
"I'm the first generation [of African Americans] that has been emotionally and financially free—trying to get there—and [has] the ability to make my own choices. But if you really like my stuff, then no matter what your race or your background, you will come [to the concert]. And if you don't, then, you know, hey, I'm not everybody's cup of tea, and I just kind of accept that and I roll with it."
This summer, Miss Fortune will drop a deluxe version of her EP, Activated, with a few new songs. Between now and late May, she is also focusing on a series of sound-healing events (one is coming up April 25 at Yoga Salinas) during which she will sing as well. She is also preparing to study abroad this summer, in France.
Miss Fortune performs Friday, April 17 at Old Capitol Books. Tickets are "pay what you want," with no set range. Yoga Salinas Sound Healing Experience is April 25. Tickets are "pay what you want," ranging $15–$100. Check out Miss Fortune's music and Venmo.
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