Meet The Artist: Interview with DEJA
Photography by @bonnieophelia
DEJA initially moved from Solihull, Birmingham to West London to take her career in music to the next level. Having grown up surrounded by a family of music enthusiasts, DEJA has cherished music for as long as she can remember, sourcing inspiration from a variety of RnB and Soul icons including Stevie Wonder, Destiny's Child, Aaliyah and Usher.
DEJA began singing, writing and performing at the very young age of 14; music was a second language for DEJA from the very beginning. Now in her 20’s, DEJA has started to find her distinct style of Pop-infused-RnB gaining recognition from The Jacksons, Emeli Sandé, Macklemore, Etta Bond and Ady Suleiman to name a few. We had the amazing opportunity to shoot and interview DEJA in person to talk about her musical roots, biggest influences, and daily rituals among other topics. Here’s what came of our insightful chat:
Introduce yourself?
DEJA: “Yes, biiiiiish! It’s ya girl DEJA! I’m a singer with a mission. I want my music to leave you feeling better about yourself. I want you to sing my songs and be like “damn, I really am the shit”. Because I know we doubt ourselves sometimes and I wanna remind you how awesome you are - okay! Thank you..”
How important was music to your early life?
DEJA: “Music couldnt have been more important to me growing up! My whole family are music lovers, not necessarily musicians though… My mum will always say she can sing but she can’t.. But yeah every single day I woke up to music, every single event was music driven and uh, I think thats why I’m doing what I’m doing now!”
What are your biggest influences?
DEJA: “This changes but currently I’m hooked on addressing the fuckery of being a woman out here. If you ask me, we’re the superior being, but we really get treated like we aren’t sometimes.”
What’s your ultimate starter, main, and desert?
DEJA: “My last ever three-course meal would consist of the following: I’m vegan so this is naughty, but the starter would have to be camembert. Now, this is weird but the main would consist of Chippy chips as in English chip shop chips, with veggie chilli, and ketchup! and the desert would be anything covered in chocolate.”
Photography by @bonnieophelia
Which of your tracks means the most to you and why?
DEJA: All of my tracks mean the world to me, but there’s one song in particular which is unreleased and will probably never be released titled “Blossom”. It means the most to me because in the bridge I reference Christina Aguilera’s “the voice within” and every single time I listen to it I tear up… Emotional gangster!
Could you give us some insight into your latest track “Beggin”?
DEJA: “My latest track Beggin. I won’t lie its a little bit naughty. Its about the power of the p*ssy, its about the power of the coochie, which to be fair is a running theme in alot of my music! As a women, I want other women to listen to my creations, feel themselves and be reminded that your allowed to be confident and sexy.”
What do you enjoy doing outside of music
DEJA: “So, if I’m not writing, or on stage performing. I’m either in the gym or doing gymnastics. I love gymnastics as it brings out the inner child in me and as it has been very important especially in the everyday hustle and bustle of London living!”
Top 5 vocalists of all time?
DEJA: “Easy! - Beyonce, Ariana Grande, Yebba, Whitney and (this one is a little out there) Louis Prima - He’s lit!”
If you could collab with any UK artist who would it be?
DEJA: “I defo can’t get it down to one. It’d be between a few…. Ms Banks, Tiana Major 9, FLOHIO, Ivorian Doll… There’s loads tbf!”
Whats your favourite park in London?
DEJA: “Love this question. Probs the one behind my flat. It’s nice and quiet and it’s a place I can sunbathe topless in peace. I’m not telling you the name though loool…”
What does your writing process entail?
DEJA: So my writing process starts off with an issue I have (usually with men) and it then goes into a couple of drinks then I vibe with whoever I’m in the studio with until we have a banger!
How do you motivate yourself to write and record when you are feeling uninspired?
DEJA: “I go to the sauna. For some reason ideas come to me best in the sauna or steam room. Or actually when I’m driving too. So yeah, when I need writing motivation, I take a drive to the spa!”
Whats next for DEJA?
DEJA: World take over LOL. No seriously…
Where can people find you (socials etc…)
DEJA: I’m best on IG @dejadejadejaaaa <3
Be sure to follow ‘DEJA’ on her social pages (linked below):
Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp | Apple Music
Photography by @bonnieophelia
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