TZ: I understand this is your debut album, what made you title it “Just Denae?”
KD: Like I said before this album is my truth. It’s me. So Just De’Nae seemed very befitting because that’s what the listeners are getting from it.
TZ: You’ve done some work with King’s Dream artists, as well as got J. Givens in a track, how did those opportunities come about?
KD: Well I have a great producer who’s excellent at networking and knowing where to be at the right time. All the credit goes to him on that. I probably never would have met any of those cats without him.
TZ: Your single “Dive In” speaks about drinking but not in the condemning way Christians usually talk about it. It’s from a first person perspective and also speaks to the futility of drinking your problems away. How much of this song is your life, why did you write it this way, and how has this song been received?
KD: The album really was an audio film. Each song portrayed a different scene in the movie that is my life, so I wrote them from a first person point of view and in the present tense. I did drink occasionally to numb myself to my own thoughts and pain. I might not have been as deep in alcoholism as the song portrays, but I believe I have been blessed with the ability to put myself in other people’s shoes. So I used the song as a platform to bring awareness to alcohol.
TZ: To date, what have been your supporter’s favorite songs? Do any of these surprise you?
KD: “I Thought I Knew You” has received a very warm welcome and that’s all thanks to J Givens, so that wasn’t a shocker. He’s a beast!
TZ: Before we let you go, what do you want people to take away from this project and what is next for Kyra De’Nae?
KD: I want people to start talking. I want the floor to open up. We need to stop being scared to talk about real life. Let’s discuss reality so we can alter it. Change can’t happen if you neglect the problems. I don’t know what’s next for me, all I know is that I’m going to keep making this music. We’re already back in the studio working on some new heat.
Kyra De’Nae is an amazing artist and we can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for her! Go check out her project here.
