GIRL ON HER GRIND
Fierce hip-hop phenom Dej Loaf is switching up the rules of rap with her whip-smart lyrics and flawless flow.
Fierce hip-hop phenom Dej Loaf is switching up the rules of rap with her whip-smart lyrics and flawless flow. At only 24, she knows how to use her voice to make it count — and has the wisdom and confidence to know when less is more. But that self-assuredness is hard-won. Once a shy kid from Detroit who wrote her earliest songs in a diary, she’s come a long way to transform into the white mink-wearing, loafer-loving, razor-tongued spitfire she is today. (Yup, her Gucci shoe crush ended up influencing her moniker — true love!) In a scene where female rappers tend to get shoehorned together, she’s flying solo in her own fast lane — full speed ahead. We got inside her head for a few minutes, and were flat-out inspired!
DEAR DIARY
My dad always played a lot of music when I was a kid, so I think he had a big influence. I was always a kid who stayed to myself. I had a few friends, but I wasn’t the friendliest or most outgoing. So, I wrote. I wrote about everything that I wanted to write about. Everything I saw, everything I wanted to see, everything I didn’t want to see…I just wrote it all down, like a diary. Eventually it turned into music!
DEAR DIARY
My dad always played a lot of music when I was a kid, so I think he had a big influence. I was always a kid who stayed to myself. I had a few friends, but I wasn’t the friendliest or most outgoing. So, I wrote. I wrote about everything that I wanted to write about. Everything I saw, everything I wanted to see, everything I didn’t want to see…I just wrote it all down, like a diary. Eventually it turned into music!
SHE FLIES SOLO
I work best alone. Just me — my thoughts, my creativity. It’s better that way for me. Even when I’m in the studio, I don’t like an entourage like most artists. When I’m alone, I get a chance to just look at everything and see for myself what I think, without anyone else’s eyes or ears or voice.
LIFE WITHOUT MUSIC ISN’T LIVING AT ALL
People listen to music because…what would the world be without music?? The world without music would be a disaster. I don’t know where I would be without music if I didn’t listen to it growing up. Music gets people through tough times, good times…all times. It has kept the world what it is today. It brings people together.
FOLLOW THE LEADER
What I like best about myself is that I’m a leader. I make my own rules. I don’t follow code. I know who I am and where I want to go. I do what I have to do to get to where I want. Coming from where I have — I used to be really shy — so my confidence is now where it needs to be, but I still struggle with it sometimes. I could consider myself a role model one day. But I want to improve myself first. I want to be a better performer, a better artist, a better daughter, a better sister, a better friend. Just be a better me. Have a better aura!
SHE LIKES TO BE IN MOTION
Riding my bike makes me happy. It gives me a clear mind. It brings me peace. When I ride, I think about everything under the sun. Ideas spark.
HER ADVICE? DO YOU
My ultimate goal is to change lives. I want to help those who are not or were not so confident and those who believe it can never happen. I want to give people their confidence. Stop worrying! Why not be you? It’s a gift to be you — so be you.