Semaj Dee discusses new music and what fans can expect • Bright Minds

We love bringing you exclusives here at Blazing Minds and today we are very excited to bring you an exclusive interview with new music artist Semaj Dee as we discuss music and learn a little more about the artist.

Hey Semaj, how are you?

Hello! I’m fine, thanks for the question. It’s been quite a challenging year for me personally, but I’m excited to finally release my music independently.

You wanted to be a musician at a young age, what led to that decision?

In my younger years, I trained as a classical musician because my mother had asked me what instrument I wanted to play. I remember choosing clarinet or guitar and in my heart, I thought clarinet would be something more interesting and easier to play. I then sat my music exams and joined the Croydon Schools Symphony in 1997. After some deliberation I decided to make the transition to choral singing in 2001. .

In 2003, my cousin heard me sing on a karaoke machine at a family Christmas party and praised my vocal ability. Five years later he encouraged me to sing a solo hymn at Midnight Mass in front of over a hundred people at our local church in Croydon. This helped build my confidence and a year later I was playing covers at the Jazz Café in London with him accompanying me. The rest, as they say, is history!

How would you describe your work?

I would say my sound right now is very urban and soulful. I’ve been into electronic dance music and I’ll be releasing some electronic dance remixes of my songs in the future, but I want to try and fly the flag for real R&B/soul with a 90s/00s vibe because I think people still they like it very much. listening to music from that era.

What do you want people to take away from this?

When I write/co-produce a song, I’m usually immersed in the process of creating it, and it usually evokes a feeling or mood. I want others to feel what I feel, to be moved by what moves me. Lyrical and melodic concepts should be coupled with emotion and soul in my performances and that should always be conveyed to the audience.

What inspires you and who are your influences?

I was very into a lot of famous vocalists growing up, like Michael, Donna, Tina, Whitney and Stevie Wonder. My late father had a huge pop and soul vinyl collection! As I became a teenager, this turned into neo-soul and R&B, as my sister enjoyed listening to artists such as Mary J Blige, SWV, Mariah Carey, Tevin Campbell, in addition to artists such as Frank McComb, Omar and others. I also bought a lot of CDs as a teenager, but I appreciate and feel inspired by listening to real soul music from that 90s era, as well as garage, dance/electronic stuff.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I think I would have told myself about the art of resilience and the power of networking. How I probably could have progressed much faster in my career if I had adopted these mindsets. The beauty of social media has made networking an art, especially the ability to network with artists, DJs and media personalities

What are you listening?

I recently went to see Zo! at Jazz Cafe and I love his latest album ‘Abstractions’. I also listened to Misha’s latest album ‘Radiant’

What’s next for you? What are you most excited about?

After releasing my highly anticipated collaboration with Georgia Anne Muldrow and Wakai, I will be releasing some solo tracks in July and September. I executive produced both of them and I’m really excited because they’re meaningful songs to me. I will also be involved in a project with BBC Introducing artist and my former collaboration partner, Sallok. I’m also hoping to work on a UK remix of my collaboration with Georgia Anne Muldrow later this year.

Follow Semaj Dee on Instagram, Facebook and Spotify.

Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of Blazing Minds. She is also a film reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D and IMAX releases, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first issue of SFW magazine. In 2015 she became an award-winning blogger and her site is also listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.