Interview with singer and songwriter Deshai Williams

This week in our interview section we are sharing our recent interview with Deshai Williams.

Twist Online : First of all please introduce yourself to our readers.
Deshai Williams : Hey I’m Deshai Williams singer songwriter from across the Pond London England, I now reside in NY/NJ

Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?
Deshai Williams : As a child growing up my mother would play the greats ..Aretha Frankin.. Tina Turner.. Anita Baker.. Bob Marley and
I just totally fell in love with music. I discovered I had a singing voice at a family gathering, I would perform and dance for everyone lol!

Twist Online : Tell us about your recent release ‘NO more’?
Deshai Williams : I wrote No More coming out of a dark place in my life. I’m happy to say that I am a survivor and not a victim, I realized that Domestic Violence is more mental than physical because it starts with your mind and emotions first. I wanted to write a song that spoke to victims and that could help turn them into survivors. I wanted to get into their minds, I believe music is powerful and I wanted the world to hear this message. I got a letter from one lady who told me my song No More saved her life, She said her husband was beating her and was verbally abusive to her and that she would put my song No More on in her headphones and would totally tune him out.. She played the song on repeat everyday and eventually had the strength to leave him. That makes me feel so good. Domestic Violence doesn’t only affect women it affects men, Children.. I get letters from Male survivors too thanking me, It was important to me to write and record an empowering song that would uplift victims in saying No More and to stand up for themselves instead of a sad song about what I personally went through.. Its all about turning a dark situation around into something positive that’s much bigger than me.

Twist Online : What kind of response you have received from the release?
Deshai Williams : I get messages everyday from all over the world, Germany, Australia.. Ukraine.. Canada..France.. from women and men survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, They tell me how my song No More has helped them overcome. Sometimes it’s all too emotional for me to read their stories but I always reply with words of encouragement. I recently released the music video to No More which pays homage to the No More Org and Mariska Hargitay from Law in order who all work so hard in raising awareness against Domestic Violence and Sexual assault, The No More organization is a great movement and I am happy to be a voice and advocate for them.Shout out to Rachel Haas and Niels Shuurmans and everyone involved with the No More Org for excellent work. So far my video has gone viral online with almost 80,000 views God is good.

Twist Online : What attracts you more, performing on stage or working in studios?
Deshai Williams : I like both, I haven’t performed on stage in a while because I’m currently writing and recording my EP “EMPOWERED” and new material and will be touring that with a live band early 2019 I’m refocused and rebranding as an artist. I love performing live because I like connecting with the audience, I have a show coming up Sep 9th I will be co hosting and performing at New York Fashion Week but I really start performing early 2019 showcasing my new material with my band.. I also love the studio, I like to get into a zone on the piano and come up with melody’s and put them with lyrics, There’s nothing better than being in a zone with just you and your note pad and microphone.

Twist Online : Tell us about your upcoming “No More” College tour.
Deshai Williams : I’m doing a college tour because I would like to talk to the students and highlight domestic violence and sexual assault I want them to be aware of the red flags and to know when to walk away from certain situations. I get a lot of messages from college kids too some of them have been assaulted on campus or their boyfriends are hitting them.. I think my song has an important message so I will also be performing my song as well as speaking on these important issues.

Twist Online : Have you set some goals to achieve?
Deshai Williams : Yes, I think completing my EP by the 4th quarter, and focusing on this college tour and other projects I have on the go.

Twist Online : Are you working on any new project?
Deshai Williams : My EP “Empowered” is something close to my heart, after releasing “No More” I realized more than ever that music can really change peoples lives, My EP is geared towards that, We all have battles, we all have obstacles, we all have something to overcome its just the human experience.. Life can be challenging it doesn’t matter if you’re a millionaire or from the projects a man woman or child etc.. I want people to listen to my music and feel good I want them to feel empowered.