I love music and my name is Deja Bryson.

I live in the Bay Area.

I’m a singer, songwriter, performer and music arranger. I love to create in any genre, but my favorites are R&B, rock and soul.

I’ve been singing since I was 4 years old, writing since 11, and performing since 13.

Uncomfortable! It was a classical song, the lyrics were in Italian, and it was my first time singing in soprano in front of anyone other than my voice teacher. It was an audition to get into an elite music program at UC Berkeley. I was very nervous and afraid to be myself, but I practiced the song day and night. Thankfully, I did a good job and got into the program.

I want people to really feel me and know they can rely on me to be there through the tough times. I feel that each fan has a personal relationship with their favorite artists; mainly because when you’re alone listening to their music, you’re sharing an intimate moment with them. What you wouldn’t want to discuss with the people you know, may be addressed explicitly in a recording, and it’s almost like they’re your closest friends. I want to always represent something positive that’s larger than the technical or glamorous aspects of singing. To always do my job for the love of the art first, and to be appreciated by the people who respect those things.

I want them to escape from wherever they are at the moment and travel with me. Life is full of valleys and peaks—music is a euphoric place to go mentally and experience either bliss or pain. Each of those places—if taken to correctly—will make it easier or more enjoyable to deal with reality. I want to give them the opportunity to go with me wherever I take them, and for them to enjoy the ride, so they can be refreshed when they come back.

I’m heavily influenced by my mother/hero Linda Townsend, Kobe Bryant, Aretha Franklin, Peabo Bryson, The Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Mary J. Blige, TLC, Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Kelis, Babyface, Steve Tyler, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitney Houston, Usher, Janet Jackson and Ameriie. The thing that I love about all these people is that they’re unique, confident, creative, hard working, extremely talented, humble, and they always inspire me to be Deja.

I’m always up creating music or ideas that surround music. I’m up thinking of how I should enter the stage, how the lights should look, and what would make the audience go crazy. Occasionally, I think about shoes and love…but, generally, it’s music!

I have a new single out called “Move Along” from my sophomore album, Revolution, available at my site. “Move Along” is an up-tempo, urban/hip-hop/R&B song about moving forward, progressing, leaving the past behind you, keeping your standards high, and knowing your role as a woman and playing it like no other. It’s very sassy and edgy. The album Revolution is so amazing to me because it’s all been recorded live. With the exception of a few digital sounds, real musicians play the music, and it’s my favorite three genres (R&B, rock and soul) mixed together in one album. I feel really great about the song selection, and I’m very happy to say that I’ve come into my own and had an immense amount of fun in creating this project.