Interview: DeneQuia

[gallery ids="140373"]

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today? 

I’ve always wanted to be a singer ever since I was 4 years old. My late mother Joyce and my grandmother Eleanor were singers. My grandma actually toured the chitterlings circuit as a backup singer for some of the biggest artists back in the day. She never reached her peak. I'm praying to pay homage to her and my mother. The first song I heard and that made me feel like I could make it in this industry was the late/ great Whitney Houston’s song “ I wanna Dance with Somebody”. It was something about her voice, the way the track hit & her grace when she performed. She knew how to serenade and captivate the crowd. I wanted to be like her and to this day I still hope I get the chance to have the effect she had on the world.

To be completely honest, music is my escape from situations I’ve been through. It's been my anchor. I am made for music and music was made for me. But if I had to do anything else it would be working with kids. As of now, I won a Party Rentals company “JJs Toys & More, LLC “ we’re based out of Dallas, Ga it’s a business I’ve been growing for my three kids. So I do feel like I’m already doing something I’m passionate about. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice as well so if all else fails I do have that in my pocket as a backup.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity? 

I really enjoy going on vacations with my family, spending time with friends and associates, and networking. I am a big FAN of networking in this business when I’m around town. That's always my sole goal. You never know who you may meet and where that relationship can take you.

How long has music been your career? 

I have been actively pursuing my music since I was 4 years old. I stopped when my father Dennis passed away in 2003. It wasn’t until 2017 the day before my late brother Pierre passed away as he gave me his blessing telling me to start reciting all the music I had been secretly recording to get back into singing. So I started back actively a month later May of 2017 he passed away on April 9, 2017. I wanted to make him proud. I even deducted my first album “The Art of a Woman” to him.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music? 

I am living in Atlanta, Ga. I moved here almost 4 years ago. I love the culture of music here. I've definitely progressed as an artist being around all of my fellow creatives here. I used to just sing R&b music. Being here has expanded my palette and hunger. Now I explore and write all types of music; pop, gospel, trap, country you name it I’ve written it.

Tell me about the best and worst shows you have played. 

There was once a venue where the sound wasn’t right. The mic kept going in and out so I asked the DJ to turn off the music and I sang Acapella. The crowd loved it.

Tell me about your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already? 

I’ve played numerous venues in Atlanta Ga, North Carolina, and back home in Florida. One of my favorite venues was Hollywood Young Circle. My uncle Mike booked the entire park for me to sing to family, strangers & friends. The experience was amazing!

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket? 

Wow! That’s a great question. I’d love to open or perform alongside Chris Brown, Anita Baker, Queen Naija, Rihanna, Doja Cat, NICKI Minaj, Tamia, Lil Mo, and a few others I could name folks all day I love music and every artist I’ve named this far has something special that draws me to their music.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into music? 

Be ready for upsets, non-believers and temporary feelings of self-doubt. I’ve experienced it all being resilient is the key, having faith in God's plan for you and endurance to overcome setbacks.

If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what would it be? 

Never Give up on Yourself. I gave up years ago. I will never do that to myself or supporters ever again.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? 

“ It’s your time “ it’s a song off my second album that I wrote for my late brother Pierre. He was my big brother and he inspired me, at one point it was just us two after my mother passed away while we were young. I had to write him a song. It was my way of saying goodbye to him. My brother may be gone but he is spiritually on this journey with me.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?  

Everywhere I go around Atlanta Ga and a few other states people sing my song “Boss Lady” to me ?. It makes me laugh but I know it’s my staple. It's my favorite song. The lyrics alone tell you who I am a “Boss Lady”!

What is the creative process for you, and what inspires you to write your music? 

It’s crazy I can write music anywhere at any time. I have literally written a song in ten minutes (hence my song “Love Jones “

It’s a pop song folks love it and I do too. ) I have written music in my closet, laying in bed, in my car on my back deck. Once I get inspired it doesn’t matter where I’m located I pull out my phone or grab a pen and paper and just write often times it’s to a track sometimes it’s not. I love to record in the dark. I feel that’s when I can really open my creative mindset.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music? 

I write songs based on reality or that hold substantial value. I want my listeners and supporters to feel the lyrics and heal through my music.

Do you ever have disagreements when collaborating and how do you get past them? 

I’m easy to work with. I clearly state my expectations before we even start so things run smoothly. I love to be informed and I do keep my feature artists informed throughout the process. That's why we’re both on the same page.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up? 

I have so much more to offer. Not only do I sing, I act and I create content. I have projects out now on my YouTube channel “Cut a Tongue “ the narrated series where I get folks to tell me different stories via scenarios and I act it out alongside my husband John or other creatives here. I also have my husband and I’s collaborative project “Hustle Crime Unit” in which I act and play four different characters: a grandma, crackhead, baby momma, and Quirky news reporter.

As of now with music I’m working on features with other artists, I’ll be re-launching my R &B Sweets by Boss Lady DeneQuia snack line this fall 2021 available on my website at www.DeneQuia.com along with Fan gear and other items.