[FEATURE] VIPER PRESENTS: DEJA
One of the 10 of the MOBO Unsung finalists, DEJA is a frontrunner to win the comp, get to know her better with this VIPER interview…
What five words define your sound?
Fun, Girly, Sexy, Energggy, Vybz.
Tell me something unique about your creative process.
I’m never just making a song for the sake of making a song. I’ll have the music video or the
visual or album journey in the back of my mind. I see the stage, I see the set, I see the
choreography. It’s not just the song for me, it’s the whole project.
Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?
‘Fine Fine Girl’ or ‘Boom Boom Bah’. I feel like these songs are a solid representation of where I am in my artistry right now. Also, they bang. Afro infused Pop with a little R&B and ALL the sauce.
What inspired you to make that song?
I made both those songs with the intention of making my listeners feel good in themselves
physically. I know it’s getting better but let’s be real, we’re ALWAYS being told we’re not good
enough. Not slim enough, not thick enough, not sexy enough, too sexy. Like! Give us a break,
right?! My music as a whole, but these tracks in particular, are for the girls, the gays and
everyone in between to manifest their lawlessness!
What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music?
I tend not to be. At least I don’t see it that way. It doesn’t feel like “vulnerability” when I write. It’s
just honesty and I have no stress with being honest in my music.
What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?
I was gonna say falling over in six inch stripper heels was the worst but it’s really not. It was funny
asf and we all laughed! Best experience? Headlining Pride and hearing my fans scream my
lyrics at me! Like they were really manifesting! Made me a bit emotional.
What is your favourite song to perform?
My latest single, ‘Mo Farah’. I’ve been performing it for a couple years now. The audience always
give what they need to GIVE when I perform it. The choreography, the beat, the fact I get to
SING sing and rap. It has all the things I like the most about stage and I’m so happy it’s finally
out for people to listen to at home.
Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?
Don’t laugh. Jamelia – ‘Superstar’. I have vivid memories strutting up and down my mum’s living
room acting like that baddest little B. Broom as a microphone, family forced to sit and watch my
show. It’s the tag line – “I don’t know who you are but you must be some kind of Superstar.” She
was singing to me. I wasn’t even 10 yet and I knew what my future looked like – dancing,
singing, lights and glitter!
What’s the meaning behind your name?
So many meanings! The literal meaning in French is “again” – as in you’ll want to listen to my
music again and again. I haven’t told anyone about this but it’s actually a bunch of letters from
my real name, arranged into a title I saw worthy of my artistry.
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?
I’d find a way.
What’s success to you?
When Riri asks me to perform on her Savage Fenty Runway, I’ll know I’ve made it.
What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?
I didn’t realize at the time but losing my stepdad (who I called my father) to cancer was
massive. I worked my pain away. I didn’t stop for 2 or 3 consecutive years and it was in that time
that DEJA was born. And to this day, I’m always trying to make him proud, you know? Even
when he’s not here, he’s making me shine. Bad man.
Where can people keep in touch with you?
Follow me on Spotify and scroll down to my socials. My DM’s are always open!
