Getting to know: AMA DEE
AMA DEE is the kind of artist you can hardly fit into a box, a multifaceted, talented singer, songwriter, and performer whose complex personality highly influences her sounds; resulting in a blend of genres she is able to successfully fuse — from soul to funky, and from urban to indie music.
A determined artist with a precise vision, she is confident enough not to let anyone prevent her from achieving what she wants for her future. As a matter of fact, only a year after deciding to pursue a career in music, she independently released her first single “Why Try,” followed by a video clip that showcases her fierce nature, proving there’s strength in vulnerability.
Her first influences in music were gospel, pop, and hip hop, then growing up, she started showing interest in R&B’s vocals — such as those of Lauryn Hill — as well as in Lianne La Havas’ soulful melodies. On top of that, she also draws inspiration from intimate and personal lyrics like the ones composed by Alice Phoebe Lou.
Ama Dee believes we should encourage one another to become the best versions of ourselves, eventually hoping to stimulate self-awareness in her listeners. Her lyrics are therefore the product of introspective thoughts that stemmed from her own personal experiences, fears, victories, as well as from her conception of the dualistic contrast between mind and body — all factors meant to facilitate the artist’s personal and professional growth.
The young Italian-Ghanaian songwriter focuses on experiences that other people can relate to. By doing so, listeners feel more connected and similar to one another. Relying on music as a means of promoting sociocultural change, the artist wants her listeners to empathise with each other’s struggles in life.
Her songs, graced by her peculiarly deep and powerful yet soft and sensual voice, will penetrate and awaken parts of you that you had forgotten existed.
Latest Release: Hold On (single)
“Why Try is about acknowledging the existence of your emotions, meanwhile Hold On is about accepting them, whatever those may be. It’s all about scratching beneath their surface and having the guts to deal with them.
I wrote Hold On because it has always been really hard for me to show my vulnerability and understand or express my real feelings without over-rationalising them. At a certain point, I realised that denying their existence, or being dishonest about them, implied storing those feelings until further notice; yet, the way feelings and emotions choose to manifest themselves to you will always come as a surprise.
That’s why I decided to write this song, which is about being honest with yourself and getting that shit out of your system before it becomes toxic and harder to get rid of.” — Ama Dee
Upcoming Release: Hold On (Videoclip)
We narrate the story of a relationship between Ama Dee and her toxic lover. As the story unveils, we can go through its different stages, from illusion to self-awareness, and witness the slow transformation occurring in the singer’s life as she gradually opens her eyes to what doesn’t serve her anymore. After a long period of denial, she finally succeeds in seeing the truth for what it is and accepting it — which is the only possible way when it comes to letting it go.
The song seems to embody a heartfelt state of victory and freedom from whatever was holding her back from moving forward in life. Just by being honest with herself, she manages to embrace her real self. To say it with a metaphor, Ama Dee is reborn thanks to her own music.
