Joy Denalane - 10 Questions + Let Yourself Be Loved (Album)

Joy Denalane first broke through with her 2002 debut album ‘Mamani,’ which went gold. Her second, ‘Born & Raised’ featuring special guests Lupe Fiasco, Raekwon, and Governor reached number 2 in the German charts, which along with the follow ups, her top-10 albums ‘Maureen’ and ‘Gleisdreieck,’ helped establish Joy as one of the most influential soul artists in Germany. For her fifth album, ‘Let Yourself Be Loved,’ she was signed to the legendary Motown Records – one of the first ever European artists to sign to the label.

Joy sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

It all began with my father’s record collection. He collected jazz, funk and soul and he’d play his records for the family all the time. I realised I had a love for music when I started playing his records when he wasn’t there and began listening to the vocal performances, intrigued by it all. I sang along as good as I could and from there it just took over me. I always sang, wherever I had the chance to I would sing. At some point I met someone who suggested I reach out to a band he knew who was looking for a singer and then I went there to the rehearsal studio and ever since then I never stopped, I just sang.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

There are many artists who helped pave my way: Billy Holiday, Nina Simone and of course Aretha Franklin. I think Amy Winehouse was such an interesting singer of our time also. I would love to work with Jazmine Sullivan. I also love Solange’s work, Tyler, The Creator and Frank Ocean.

3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?

I didn’t really get to see my fans and people who are into my music, that was pretty sad. I wasn’t able to play live shows either and that’s something that’s very important for my DNA as an artist. There were some opportunities that were offered to me like playing virtual shows which was a nice experience, but it wasn’t comparable to a show where you are in one room with a crowd.

4. How would you describe your sound?

This isn’t easy! Specifically, because I’ve been doing this for quite a while and I have evolved everything I do as a constant progression. You could say that my basis is soul music. Everything that I do in terms of singing, the way I express myself, the way that I put emphasis on certain lines; all of these qualities are pretty much based on soul music.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

My proudest moments are definitely those where artists I look up to have agreed to work with me like Hugh Masekela for instance, or BJ The Chicago Kid, Raekwon, Lupe Fiasco, C.S. Armstrong – those are the moments that really make me proud because it tells me that there’s something about the music, I make that is interesting for the people I look up to. That’s special to me, specifically because I’m from Germany which is a country that has a very strong and powerful music market, but not specifically a market for soul or R&B.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

I think you have to ask yourself a few questions. Firstly ask yourself: how much do you really love music? Is it just a moment in time or is it your real passion? Number 2: are you ready to take the risk? Number 3: are you disciplined enough to keep creating? You’ve got to be very productive and you’ve got to be curious about evolving.

7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?

You can go and check out Maria Callas’ ‘Essentials’ album. Maria was an opera singer, she was born in America but she was of Greek descent and people say she was one of the greatest classical singers of all time.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

All of the soul singers! Everyone who enjoys soul music should go and check out The Clark Sisters as they’re my all-time favourite gospel singers, and even their early production just sounded so fierce. Then there is this jazz band called Web Web who have just released an album called ‘WEB MAX’ that I would like to recommend, not only because my husband is part of it but because it’s a really great, Spiritual-Jazz album.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

That’s an easy one! I like to read books.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Pen and paper, lip gloss and my glasses.