A powerhouse in her own right, like the women she grew up idolizing, (Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, and Mariah Carey) “Shake That Nyash” is the song of the summer, touting powerful vocals and gutsy lyrics, with striking melodies, the songstress makes bold moves, giving us everything she’s got in the process. Writing music that stems from a want (and a need) to produce songs that feel like her, DEJA is unapologetically herself. And it shows.
Embracing and pushing the female empowerment narrative, “Shake That Nyash” is about taking back power and autonomy over women’s bodies. Behind the poppiness and fun of the song is something fearless, an anthem of self-love with a deeper meaning. Continuously proving why she’s in a lane of her own, DEJA’s work speaks for itself.
Since 2017, DEJA has carved out a following and has quickly wracked up accolades. It isn’t any surprise that with the support of her fans, BBC Radio 1’s ‘Track of the Week’, and BBC 1Xtra to name a few. She’s started to garner the attention she deserves on a global scale. With her continued commitment to her craft, Glastonbury is just the first of many achievements in what is sure to be an incredible career. Soon enough, the world will know her name– this is just the beginning.
In conversation with 1883 Magazine, DEJA talks about “Shake That Nyash”, what it takes to write a song, how she prepared for Glastonbury, what advice she’d give to someone looking to break into the business, the five albums she’d take with her on a deserted island, and so much more.
DEJA thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. So to jump into it, “Shake That Nyash” has been stuck in my head for past week. I can’t stop singing it [laughter]. What was your inspiration for the song? And did it have anything to do with “Hot Girl” summer?
Along those lines. I wrote a song called Boom Boom Bah a few years ago that was one of the first songs I put out that felt like me. I was taking a break; I wasn’t being too serious. There was a bit of, you know, women empowerment in there. Lots of body positivity. And then that happened to be the first thing that everyone caught on to because I was being the most authentic. And then all these years later, I’ve written loads of songs in a similar lane over the years. But yeah, a few years later, I put out “Shake That Nyash” which is very much in the same lane and it is what it is.
What do you think it is about the song that grabs people?
I think there are a couple of sonic things, like the change of voices. I think people really like the change of voices. But it’s the melodies, the melodies just get you, man. I work with an amazing songwriter, I believe, and any melody he touches goes off. The melodies and the self-love thing, even the boys, I see them singing it at the top of their lungs. Everyone wants to feel good about themselves and music allows for that.
“Shake That Nyash” has taken on a life of its own. I saw that British Vogue used it on a recent TikTok to help promote the movie The Bikeriders. What has it been like for you as an artist to see your work being shared on a global scale?
Oh, it’s so nice. I mean, all artists, we’re basically just attention seekers, aren’t we? [laughs] So to be seen is very nice. It’s super validating. I’ve been going at this thing for a while. So, to have magazines, platforms, other artists, and other dancers pick up on my music is like, “Okay, I’ve been doing the right thing.” It’s validating, for sure.
Oh, that’s incredible and totally well-deserved. Turning to your creative process, what does that look like for you?
There are two routes I take. Number one, and probably more beginner because I couldn’t always get in the studio with people. I’d sit at home and search through YouTube for beats and try to find something that’s cool and unique that resonates with a piece of me, then I just write. I don’t have a process when it comes to writing itself. I just write, you know? Draw upon inspiration and modern lingo? I’m always trying to put in things that the kids are saying. I do not class myself as like a cool cat [laughs]. If you’re not Gen Z, you’re fucking 60 years old. I’m so sick of it.
That’s route one. But then route two, and this is the preferred route is to go to session, go to studio, get in a room with somebody, a producer and let them lay down a beat, give a little something, and we just bounce back and forth until we’ve got a banger. I think that’s a good way of seeing what sticks.
Switching gears to Glastonbury – congratulations, by the way! How did you prepare? What did you most look forward to about the festival itself?
Every single day, I rehearsed. I just spent a week hammering the choreography, because the choreographer is incredible, and he’s pushed me very hard. So, learning all his choreography, trying to make it look as good as it could on my body. And then I spent a solid week honing in on the music side. Band rehearsals with my boys, figuring out my vocals. And I spent this week putting it all together, working on how I was going to breathe because the choreography was quite full on. When I was going to breathe, when I was going to take a minute, when I could choreograph take a sip of water because I will forget I’m that bitch, I would be parched until I faint [laughter]. I also had a lot of meetings and stuff. I had an amazing designer who made me and my dancers some outfits.
We went all matchy, matchy, and hopefully very superstar-looking. What did I look forward to? The whole thing, man. I love being on stage. I wasn’t so fussed about the festival itself, which is so lame to say, but I wasn’t. I just love being on stage. I love performing. I love crowds. I love the energy. It’s just euphoria.
Was this the biggest live crowd you’ve performed in front of so far?
Yeah, it might be!
Do you get nerves at all for live shows?
I get nervous for the first song, or maybe two, depending on how high stress the gig is. The environment. But this is why I like to rehearse so much. If you rehearse enough, it’s going to go right.
You said, and I quote, “Without passion, you’ll never make it out alive.” When did you discover your passion for music? What did you listen to growing up?
It’s typical for an artist or a musician to say that music has always been there. I’ve always, always, for as long as I can remember, wanted to be a singer. I’ve got memories of holding a broom and pretending I was Mariah Carey on stage. It’s always been the dream. I listened to Mariah Carey, and all the female powerhouses, because that’s what my mom listened to. Celine Dion, Whitney, Randy Crawford. You get it [laughs]. Like true vocalists, but also Michael Jackson and loads of stuff.
The older I got, the more my sister got me into different types of music. She was listening to indie and rock. I still listen to that stuff now. I think the female powerhouses, Christina Aguilera, Britney, them girls? They really shaped the performer and artist I am now.
When you look at how far you’ve come as an artist, what is some advice you’d give to others looking to break into the industry?
Jessie Reyez said, “Fail faster.” And that’s basically it. Stop thinking about it. Start doing it. Because the sooner you do it, the better you get. The faster you get there.
I love that. The sooner you do it the less likely you are to talk yourself out of it. People are prone to overthinking and never doing the thing they want to do because of the fear of failure. I know you have more music in the pipeline. Is there anything you can share with us? Any tidbits?
If you went to Glastonbury, you heard some new stuff and that’s all I’m going to say for now.
If you could take three albums with you to a deserted island, what albums would they be?
Oh, just three? I’m going to say something for my soul. Probably a classical piece, like a fucking orchestral piece. Debussy or something. I don’t know what his name is. But something along those lines, something classical.
I know I’m putting you on the spot.
This is a lot [laughter] The Dreamgirls soundtrack? And something a little bit cooler. I don’t sound too boring. I’m going on my Spotify. I want to get it right.
We can come back to it!
[DEJA still scrolling] Okay.
In Fizzy Mag, you talked about reclaiming words like, “Bitch and Pussy,” and turning them into something more empowering. You’re definitely starting to see women take a stand, with things like the 4B movement in South Korea. What does female empowerment mean to you?
Female empowerment, for me, is being able to say “no,” when you don’t want something. Being able to look in the mirror, and despite what society says, know that you are freaking perfect. The “no” thing is the biggest part for me, but also being able to look in the mirror and appreciate yourself, and love yourself. Because society for the longest time, has forced women to see themselves through this patriarchal lens. And it’s almost like women are starting to wake up and take that power back.
I couldn’t agree more. Things are starting to look brighter. Slowly but surely. Looking to the future, what is one goal that you have for yourself that you haven’t achieved yet?
Oh, man, I’ve got lots of them. I’m pretty hard on myself. I’ve got lots of goals. Okay, [pauses, thinking] Headlining Glastonbury. I see it in my dreams every night.
And lastly, circling back, what is the last album you would bring?
Oh, crap. I forgot to think about it [laughter].
Let’s do five if that’s easier!
So, I said something classical. I’ve said Dreamgirls. I’m saying Eliza Doolittle. She had an album called Eliza Doolittle, which, again, is just for my inner child. Because I’m imagining, myself on a deserted island. I need something that’s going to keep me from going crazy, right? I’m probably taking this question the completely wrong way. But it’s the way I’m taking it [laughs].
I’ll probably take a Louis Primer album as well. And I forgot to do the cool thing. Oh! Beyonce, Crazy in Love.
“Shake That Nyash” is out now. Follow DEJA @dejadejadejaaa.
Interview Dana Reboe
