Damita

By Alex Teitz

Atlantic Recording artist Damita brings the best of R&B and gospel to her debut self-titled album. Damita is a Detroit native who has played with the likes of Aretha Franklin, and others. Her CD was produced by a team of producers including her husband, Deitrick Haddon. Damita’s songs are about hope and positive change. FEMMUSIC was able to arrange a brief e-mail interview with her. For more information visit Damita on Wikipwedia

FEMMUSIC: What was the biggest challenge making the CD?

D: The biggest challenge making the CD was the time it took to finish this project. Nine months is the time span of a pregnancy. Now it’s also the time span of my CD.

FEMMUSIC: What was the best experience making the CD?

D: The best experience making the CD was working with other producers; being able to experience other styles of producers and different techniques in other studios and different cities. It was very exciting.

FEMMUSIC: How was it working with this group of producers on the CD?

D: Working with the group of producers was educational. Getting to know each individual producer and learning how to deliver to them what was needed for each individual song to make it a hit was awesome.

FEMMUSIC: Can you describe your songwriting technique?

D: My songwriting technique is pretty simple. I can be anywhere, anytime, anyplace and a melody can hit me. The words begin to whisper in my ears. Anything can trigger a song but the ones that come out of nowhere are the most dangerous.

FEMMUSIC: Who are your musical mentors, and how has your music changed because of them?

D: I have a numerous amount of musical mentors in mainstream as well as gospel; Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Sting, Phil Collins. These artists have inspired me in ways that can only be expressed while performing on stage. They have changed me from a timid, shy in the background singer into a when I get out on the stage in gonna go crazy singer.

FEMMUSIC: What did you learn the most from doing shows with Aretha Franklin?

D: Performing with Ms. Franklin has taught me patience and has given me the push to give my all at any given time or chance that’s given to me.

FEMMUSIC: What one thing would you like to change about the music industry?

D: There’s nothing wrong with the music industry but it’s the artists’ that need to change our outlook concerning our message we send out into the community.

FEMMUSIC: As a woman in the music industry, have you been discriminated against?

D: Fortunately I have not been discriminated as of yet. At least I haven’t heard of any yet.

FEMMUSIC: What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?

D: Be consistent and faithful to your music and remember that it may take some time for your break but hang in there. There will be ups and there will be downs but that’s life.