Denise Julia is pioneering a new wave of RnB music in the Philippines. The 20-year-old singer has become one of the most sought after artists within the region of Asia. Despite not having a full body of work Denise, has already amassed a global audience with a few singles which she released independently. Her latest single ‘NVMD’ has already reached 10 million streams and continues to grow by the day.

The music scene within the Philippines is dominated by male artists and ballad groups. When Denise started making music this is something that she saw as normal but she knew that it needed to change. She often dreamt about being a singer and spent most of her high school life writing down songs in a journal with the hopes of being a recording artist one day.

By the age of 20 Denise is living that dream. Her rise which seems as a miracle in many ways has not gone unnoticed. Record labels in the Philippines have tried to sign the internet sensation but their advances were swiftly declined. Denise always knew that she is destined for something far greater. At the age of 20 to decline advances from a record label is one thing but to have the confidence and the belief that you’re going to making it independently is another. Denise Julia describes herself as someone that is confident in her ability and when she puts her mind to something she goes and gets it done regardless of what other people may think.

Denise Julia has cultivated her fan base by being tech savvy. She explained that she used Instagram to help grow her audience and most recently used TikTok as a way to market herself. She described TikTok as the perfect marking tool for up and coming artists who are looking for a new and creative way to showcase their talent to a larger audience.

One of Denise’s goals is to create a legacy as an artist. She wants to achieve longevity with her music career and follow in the footsteps of Mariah Carey and Drake. Two artists who she admires because of their ability to remain relevant in an industry where music is constantly evolving.

This interview has been lightly edited for the purpose of clarity and context.

Daniel Young: I found out about you very recently, normally when I discover new artists there is a full body of work that I can go back and listen to. However, with yourself this is not the case. How would you describe yourself?

Denise Julia: I am a go getter.  When I want to achieve something I do everything in my power to make sure that I go and do that specific thing. I think this also translates into my music. If there is this standard or goal that I set for myself and if I can’t achieve that then I am doing something wrong.  So I won’t necessarily change my goal but I’ll change the way that I go about achieving that goal. If there is this sound that I want to create or try out, then I will try my best to create that sound.

DY: What motivated you to start making music?

DJ: It’s always been something that I wanted to do although it took a while for me to realise it because I was very shy. I couldn’t really sing in front of people. I would wait until I was in my room to sing. But I eventually took that leap of faith and started singing in front of people at the age of 18. When I saw that it was slowly started to get the results that I wanted I thought to myself let’s take this thing seriously. My first performance as a singer is what opened my eyes. I was the president of this pop group in high school and I told myself that I want to sing for the rest of my life.

DY: Looking back, what do you think has changed from then up until now?

DJ: I think that I started gaining popularity slowly but surely and that allowed my perspective on things to change. Before I was just like let’s release a song but now I’ve become more clear on what sound I want to create and what region around the world that I want to conquer with my music.  I have hopes of being internationally known but I didn’t know how to go about it at first and it just happened through TikTok and every other social media platform. As I got more popular my views changed on who I make my music for. I don’t just want to make music for my country anymore. I want to make music for people all over the world.  I think as my audience started to changed so did my sound. I personally think that is the biggest change that has happened.

DY: When is the first time that you actually saw that your music is going places?

DJ: I think that it was when international labels started reaching out to me.  That was like my ‘wow’ moment. These are labels from my idols like Beyoncé, Ariana Grande and Doja Cat when their labels started reaching out to me I was shocked. The reason why I was shocked is because I am out here in Asia and they are based in the US. I kept on asking myself is this actually real?  That was when I saw that my music was actually going place and I really saw that I was doing something big.

DY: I take it by that answer that you aren’t yet signed, may I ask why?

DJ: I actually don’t know I’m just testing out my options at the moment. I didn’t want to get excited when I got my first approach because I am very legalistic person, I’m very aware of contracts and things like that so I didn’t want to rush into anything. I’m actually so grateful that I didn’t sign with a label here because soon after they approached me then the international labels also started reaching out. I definitely think that there are bigger opportunities waiting for me.

DY: Can you talk to me about the music scene in the Philippines? I’m going to be honest I know nothing about it.

DJ: So people who aren’t from here would say that 90% of our artists are singers. In our culture we are big on karaokes. In every street when you make up you would hear someone singing. Our country is a melting pot of different cultures and we listen to a lot of music.  The type of music we listen to is western music and even k-pop. It’s different when it comes to our local singers. There aren’t very many singers like myself who make pop and RnB music. There are more ballad groups and male artists. It was such a stepping stone for me to penetrate the industry with this type of genre. It was a new offer to the industry in many ways and in any many aspects I was surprised that I was able to break through in the way that I did. I feel that it is time for more music genres to enter into the mainstream sphere.  I feel that social media is helping to shed light on artists like myself. It’s great to be able to pioneer a new movement in the country.

DY: Would you say that a lot rests on your shoulders right now?

DJ: Would I say that a lot is on my shoulders? No I don’t think so. I am very excited right now. I don’t feel pressure in any sense. Of course there is pressure but I am just enjoying the moment right now. I think it’s because I am confident in the talent that already exists and they just need someone to spear head that movement. I am very confident in the music scene here.

DY: Do you have any fears about your career?

DJ: I feel that every artist is afraid of longevity and how long will their career will last. But then I think about it as long as I get to do what I like then it doesn’t really matter how long it will last. I’m just focused on the current moment and what I am able to achieve right now. If I am able to create music for an audience that in itself is a gift to me.

DY: If you could plan out your career in the next two years how would you plan to do it?

DJ: Given the traction of the music lately and especially with the labels reaching out I would most definitely want to be out there in the states.  I would love to move out of the country and start a life in America taking my music to a wider audience. I want to be a globally recognised artist.

DY: When did you decide that it was time to get a manager and it was time to take your music career seriously?

DJ: So my manager is actually my cousin. I trust her so much and she already manages her boyfriend so it was a no brainer for me.  She already knows how to go about contracts and stuff of that nature so in my mind it only made sense and the trust was already there.

DY: You mentioned trust, would you say that trust is an important factor in your life?

DJ: I am a woman of trust issues. One fun fact about me I’ve never had a boyfriend in my whole 20 years of existence. So when someone does earn my trust that means that they are a solid person.

DY: Wait, wait so you’re 20? Then how does it feel to have achieved so much in a short period of time? How does that feel just as a 20-year-old?

DJ: How does it feel? Honestly it does feel very surreal. But at the same time when I was a kid I already imagined myself doing a lot at a young age. In many ways I already envisioned this happening. I was 7 years old when I wrote in my diary that I would be a student artist by the time I’ll be in college. I remember that I wrote it.  The fact that it’s happening now is mind-blowing to say the least. There are times when I ask myself is this even real? But then I get noticed in public and I realise this is actually very real people are listening to my music !

DY: How do you draw inspiration to write your music? You mentioned that you’ve never had a boyfriend before. Under normal circumstances you would draw inspirations from your personal life. Do you then draw inspiration from other people’s relationships or how does it work?  Where do you get this perspective from?

DJ: I started writing at a very young age. I was in the seventh grade I was 12 turning 13. Throughout my high school career, I compiled about 5 notebooks filled with song lyrics that I wrote myself.  I wouldn’t even be listening to the teacher I would just be writing songs. And now writing songs comes naturally to me.  I don’t want to say that I don’t have experience with boys, I do talk to guys. I get to know them and I draw experiences from those situations. Honestly it gives the same emotions compared to when you’re in a relationship. The talking stage is when emotions are very high and I draw inspiration from that and other people’s relationships of course. I’ve written songs about my best friend’s toxic relationship and my friends feelings for other guys. Right now writing is second nature to me.

DY: You spoke about relationships and the talking stage. What advice do you have for people who are in the talking stage and it’s not going well?

DJ: Oh my word, listen I’ve never even gotten out of the talking stage. I don’t think I can give advice! I’m just joking… It’s hard for me because I lose interest very quickly. My attention cannot be held for longer than a week sometimes I would only talk to someone for three days. I guess my advice would be for people not to be boring! Actually, I would say that people must be themselves. A lot of my experiences with men have been them not being themselves and just catering to who I am as a person. I’ve only liked one guy in my life and that was because he was himself. I can’t like someone just because of their efforts you have to show me who you are. My advice for women would be that they don’t get stuck in toxic relationships falling for guys that pretend to put their best foot forward and when they are in the relationship for a long time that effort isn’t there anymore. We as woman should also be more emotionally aware and see if this person has our best interests in mind and are being themselves.

DY: Has there ever been a situation where you made a song and somebody thought that the song was about them?

DJ: No, I have never experienced something that like that. However, I do think that they would know it’s about them. They just wouldn’t reach out because I cut off a person after a failed talking stage and if I get bored. I think that’s why it hasn’t happened before.

DY: Who is your favourite artist?

DJ: Right now I am a huge fan of Summer Walker, Dvsn and when I was younger Ariana Grande. I feel like people can hear Ariana’s influence in my music that I’m currently making. I also find inspiration from 90’s Rnb women such as Beyoncé, Tamia, TLC and Destinys child.

DY: That’s interesting… Obviously when you started making music did you take the time to go back and listen to those artist’s music again?

DJ: Yes! I have this ritual where I take time and just listen to music. After that I can feel my creative juices starting to flow. I would get ideas where I think about blending different eras of music.

DY: Do you look up to anyone?

DJ: As far as song writing goes I would say Taylor Swift. The reason why I started writing at an early age is because of her. I read an article that she did the exact same thing and I told myself I should keep up with her. In terms of music I would say artists that have achieved longevity.  The likes of Mariah Carey and Drake who have been here for a long period of time despite the changes in music over the years.

DY: What genres of music are you inspired by outside of Rnb and hip-hop?

DJ: I didn’t actually realise this before but I can confidently say pop music.

DY: Do you listen to house music?

DJ: House music? No not really, only when I’m partying…

DY: And you haven’t actually thought about making house music before?

DJ: No, I haven’t really thought about making house music but now that you mention it I might. It will be a great challenge for me.

DY: Denise, do you produce your own beats?

DJ: I do produce yes. There is actually only one song of mine that I released which features my own production. It’s actually a goal of mine to become a producer as well.  Woman are not well represented in that regard.  Woman representation is actually something that I advocate for.

DY: Is there anything that you would like to tell your fans?

DJ: Wow, I don’t even know where to start… I’m really so thankful for them. It’s not just an artist that they are supporting but an Asian woman. When you think about that you come to realise that women are not priority in the music industry.  For an Asian woman it’s even worse. I want them to know that they are supporting someone that is not really represented in the industry. To be one of the people that get to pioneer something like that is life changing for me. There is a lot of words that I want to say right now but I just can’t express myself fully. The love is overflowing and the gratitude is overflowing as well. I want my fans to know that I am making good music for them. Hopefully together we are able to upgrade the artistic space for artists like myself.

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