Meet DeAna Fai | Singer -Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with DeAna Fai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DeAna Fai, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?

Well, I’ve chosen the path of being an Artist, specifically a singer and songwriter in the Entertainment Business. I’ve always been fascinated by the way people express themselves. My church background exposed me to various ministries that allowed my spiritual gifts to be acknowledged by so many. Singing in the choir at an early age prompted my interest in music and the arts. I wrote and performed a song for the “City Of Hope” during an outside charity event at my local Office Depot while in high school and it aired on Radio Disney. Growing up watching and admiring superstars like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and so many others inspired me in various ways. Whitney Houston’s natural ability to capture your heart with her effortless tone and persona was unforgettable. Michael Jackson’s innovative approach to do what he thought was necessary to make a difference is what stood out to me the most. I remember watching a video with my dad that showed the making of “We Are The World” which was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. It was such an inspiring moment to watch all of the legends get together, set aside all their egos and create a philanthropic song. Furthermore, Beyonce had always been a role model with her business sense, professionalism and talent. Whether you knew her personally or not, you always knew she strived to give her best to her fans.

Although I’m able to share my experiences through my music like most artists, I’m excited to be able to encourage people with my music, to be bold, authentic, and not allow the world to convince you that you being who you are is not good enough. Being an artist also meant that my craft can take me in many directions. It forced me to “dig deep” and learn as much as I can to be the very best version of myself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

For those that have followed my career thus far, they know that I’ve been credited as a soundtrack singer in films such as “My Favorite Five,” “Hey Mr. Postman,” “Perfectly Single,” and “Puzzled,” and have also been cast as an upscale bar patron on the hit tv series “Empire.” However, some may have not known that I earned these placements without managerial and agency representation. This would have not been possible without my work ethic. I’ve always been adamant about learning new things. I took music courses while pursuing my undergraduate degree at Norfolk State University. It was imperative to learn how to use the music equipment so that I could record myself and not be completely reliant on someone. I also was persistent in researching like-minded people, utilizing the internet and books that were tailored closely to entertainment business. I continue to surround myself with positive people and also take the time to listen to those around me that offer insight into things unfamiliar to me in this business. I’m continuously working on building professional relationships. Continuously writing and recording new music also aided in me having new material for new projects.

As an Artist, I often got asked what made me unique and for a long time I couldn’t pinpoint a quick explanation until a close friend of mind, Grammy, Dove, and Stellar Award Winning Music Producer Dunlap Exclusive explained to me that he never knew a person that could write, record, vocal produce an entire song to a click track without a beat until meeting me. I honestly never thought this was unusual. I just knew that my access to producers was limited at the time and I kept coming up with lyrics, hooks, and melodies to songs and I finally told myself “I’m going to record them and look for a producer later.” I figured that if old records could be sampled, and producers make renditions or derivatives of records, then maybe they could arrange music to all of my vocals which included vocal leads, backgrounds, harmonies and adlibs. There wasn’t many producers that could arrange to a full song recorded on a click track, but those that I did find, I typically used often.

I also consider myself “The Oxymoron.” I’ve worked hard on my own establishing and building relationships because of the limited resources I had at the time. I don’t say that to be boastful. I say that to tell anyone that you must believe in you even when someone else says no or the odds seem to be against you. As an artist, this industry tends to group entertainers in categories such as content of music, sexuality as it relates to “sex sells,” an artist of candor, and so much more. I make music that speaks to me at the moment and my style and look is dependent on how I feel on a daily basis. I tend to blend several genres together in the Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, Techno genres. That is usually unorthodox behavior in the business we are in and I’m okay with that.

I got to where I am now by being a hard-worker and not waiting for opportunities to present themselves. Instead, I try to create them and also try to give others the opportunity I didn’t have. I’ve continued to put my best foot forward even through some waning support I received over the years that would play a toll on me.

At this moment in time, I’m excited for the release of my show later this year called “DeAna Fai presents Kings and Queens of Entertainment Reunion Recap & Giveback.” It stars several notable figures in entertainment such as D-Teck, Rodney Perry, Claudia Jordan, Lady Luck, Rebecca King Crews, Erica Hubbard, Sprague, Rosemary Rodriguez, Candace Wakefield, Tony Dofat, TT The Artist, Stevie Boi, Tyrell Crawford, Dunlap Exclusive, Erika Ringor, Melvin Jackson Jr., Tehran Von Ghasri, Brandon Broady, Jackie’s Boy,  Kenneth Okolie, Rob Gordon, Rayshun LaMarr, Angelique Bates, DJ Pryor, Carrie Bernans, Hannon Lane, and Kenya Brown.  It’s about having fun, connecting with people, inspiring those to seek their dreams, “giving the entertainers their flowers while they’re still here,” and also spreading awareness and raising funds to support health and wellness.  The health and wellness focus for this season is with “The National Breast Cancer Foundation” and “The American Stroke Association.” I’m also looking forward to releasing my music video this year for my song “Me and Mine” which stars music producer Dunlap Exclusive.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friends were to visit, they would know that I’ve become more of an introvert these past years because I’ve been focusing on my craft. However, I always love going to tourist attractions. It’s always exciting and refreshing, and there are some things that haven’t changed as it relates to my love for traveling to theme parks like Water Country and Bush Gardens in Williamsburg, Va, and Kings Dominion in Doswell, Va. These are places my family and I would visit quite often. We’d probably also visit the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and walk the strip. There are several unique shops, eateries, and events that take place there. Lastly, I would also take them to my alma mater and stomping grounds of Norfolk State University. I was a very active student there because I was Acting Freshman Class President, Sophomore Class President and Junior Class President. This was also the place where I started making music professionally and I’d want them to see a part of what has contributed to my success as a music artist.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

There are various people within my life that deserves recognition in different ways. My late aunt Rene introduced me to the music scene and always gave me the confidence I needed. My parents Ervin and Barbara, my siblings Ervin, Brittany and Desmond have been my backbone. They’ve provided me with their tough love and security which has given me the ability to endure the pressures of this industry and humbly embrace success.

It is not my intention to diminish or negate other successful moments in my life but, I couldn’t go without recognizing specific people. Chasity Saunders, an old friend of mine from college, but also a model and actress, was the first person to invite me on her podcast Avenue Pink, LLC’s second installment of “Showtime On The Block,” which featured former members of R&B group B2K, Fizz and Boog. I was just so thankful she thought of me even after several years following graduation. The Late Heavy D and former Bad Boy Entertainment engineer Jamaine Farmer, better known as “J. F. Bey” was instrumental in preparing me for what was to come years later after personally being invited by them to attempt a placement on Heavy’s last album “Love Opus” in New York at P. Diddy’s “Daddy’s House Recording Studio.” I then invited Onzie, my music producer at the time and he was able to join me for the same opportunity. Another special thanks to Film Director Paul Hannah for taking a chance on me as an up and coming artist because you would have not heard my voice in “My Favorite Five,” which was also my first film placement as an artist in the entertainment business. Angela White, a producer on this same film was instrumental years later with her expertise in the business offering advice on her platform that provided insight to the entertainment business as it relates to television and film. Film Director Van Elder awarded me the opportunity to have 2 of my songs in his film, one of which was the theme song in the film “Perfectly Single.” This also connected me to actress Erica Hubbard who was the lead actress and co-producer on this title as well, that eventually joined me on my show that is in post-production. I also thank comedian and former co-host of “The Real,” Loni Love for inviting me on her show “Loni Love’s Quarantine Talent Show.” This experience exposed me to a wide range of people from around the world.

It would not be right if I didn’t thank some others as well for being there in different ways. Shoutouts to Actor, and Producer Billy “Sly” Williams, my personal assistant Tamalia Prosper, Grammy, Dove and Stellar Award Winning Music Producer Dunlap Exclusive, and Tiffany Carroll from Creatiff Beauty Designs LLC. I’d like to also thank my nieces Keyaira, Kayla and Lauren. None of these people would be in my life if it weren’t for God therefore, I’d like to thank him most of all.

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Image Credits
DeAna Fai, Kayla Marie, and Tiffany Carroll