MusicsWeek: When did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?
Wadena: Well, I realized that I wanted to be a musician at the age of 7 years old growing up and singing in the young people's choir at my church of Mt.Sinai Baptist Church Cathedral, at the time under the late Dr.Rev.Arthur Mackey Sr, Nassau County, NY Human Rights Commissioner and brother of NFL Legendary John Mackey.
I come from a church full of great musicians and received the best training. My Pastor is related to members of Public Enemy Rap Group who trained my voice since the age of 7 years old. So many great gospel, R&B and Hip Grammy Award Winning Stars came from my church. Back in the day, we had all the big concerts, where our music department would train each vocalist to sound like 10 people by themselves. I use to attend church everyday and sing.
Grammy Award Winning Gospel Legend Pastor Donnie McClurklin is the former Minister of Music of my church. Donnie and several of the vocalist who also sang background for Mariah Carey are coming back home for our church Anniversary celebration in October 2024, including members of Public Enemy Rap Group who are not just rappers, but musicians who can sing, play instruments, produce and all. As a young choir member of my church, I had the opportunity to also sing background vocals during concerts for the Legendary the late Gospel Legend Pastor Timothy Wright, who had hit songs like -You Bought me Through This and Who's On The Lord Side.
MusicsWeek: What was the first song you ever wrote, and what inspired it?
Wadena: Yo Baby," was the first song I ever wrote. I was 11 years old and inspired to write it because of a boy who had a crush on me. He would say yo baby, baby girl, go mama. I liked his flirting and actually wrote two songs from it.
MusicsWeek: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?
Wadena: When I'm not making music, I like to relax on the beach, play basketball on the beach, walk my dog Tinkerbell and volunteer at my church or with community organizations.
MusicsWeek: Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
Wadena: Well, God blessed me such an amazing gift to write and just come up with great lyrics with melodies. I write about my life and how people live everyday. What's happening and for me, I take out my pen with recorder to build the foundation of the song, including production. For example, I can analyze a person and have conversations to then write a song on the spot about it.
MusicsWeek: Where do you find inspiration for your lyrics and melodies?
Wadena: Again, I find inspiration to write about my love and others, with what's happening or new.
MusicsWeek: What’s the concept behind your latest single 'Smoke-n-Chill'?
Wadena: Well, I had an ex boyfriend who loves music, a huge fan of Zaytoven and smoker. I don't smoke, but thought it was very interesting by how so many people loved to chill, especially with their partners, just relaxing, chilling and most times it the guys who then want to smoke. My ex one day said, "Dena you are so cool, but need to give us hip hop heads a song who like to chill and smoke." He would also call and say baby are you ready for me to pull up or you pull up. Let's go chill, relax, buy some drinks, food and chill, but let me roll up. We would take weekend trips and chill, especially on the beach . So I wrote a song about it, especially when he told me to be the cool Dena and not too much of a nerd. Even though the nerds like to smoke-n-chill too.
MusicsWeek: Are there any hidden messages or easter eggs in your songs that fans might not notice?
Wadena: Well, fans didn't catch on that I'm a poet and like to share this craft through songs as well. Recently, only one fan picked up on this and said he love it!
MusicsWeek: How do you handle criticism and feedback on your music?
Wadena: Well, I handle criticism and feedback well pertaining to my music and life in general. We all need to improve in areas and I truly appreciate someone keeping things real with me, especially about my music.
MusicsWeek: How do you measure success in your career?
Wadena: Well, I measure success in my career not by awards and sales, but by how my music impact people lives. I talk about relationships, chilling, having fun, good vibes and even those topics about going through it in relationships or life. It's all about living, no matter what.
MusicsWeek: How do you connect with your audience during a performance?
Wadena: Oh I love to perform and give fans a good show. I like to also have the fans sing along with me on a song and or select a fan to join me on stage for a duet performance.
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