Wazzup Xclusive | Artist / Songwriter DeAna Fai Talks Songwriting, Her Podcast, and Working with the Legendary Heavy D and J.F. Bey
Hailing from Virginia, DeAna Fai has a proven track record of managing her gift in entertainment, providing means to give back to her community. DeAna Fai’s journey is one of persistent motivation, hard work, and opportunity in which changed her life. It all started in 2011, DeAna Fai submitted original songs she wrote, which they landed in the hands of former Bad Boy Entertainment engineer Jamaine Farmer, better known as “Flames Flo and J.F. Bey”. Within days, “J.F. Bey” contacted DeAna Fai for an immediate writing session on the behalf of Heavy D at which she had to be in New York within the next 2 days.
After consulting with her father about the opportunity, DeAna Fai father spoke to “J.F. Bey” to gather clarity and confirm the details in which he gave his consent. DeAna Fai, along with her producer Onzie boarded a plane and the two were off to New York, NY. To this day, DeAna Fai still reminisces about the surreal encounter.
“When the main hallway door opened that led to the studios, I saw Heavy and J.F.Bey approaching us at the door. It was surreal. Heavy greeted me as if I were legendary and also welcomed my guest, who then was able to seek the same opportunity. Heavy was truly a humble person. I will never forget that moment,” DeAna Fai explained.
Following the studio tour, DeAna Fai began writing to the same instrumental track for several hours but eventually recorded one of the records in the mini studio, claimed to be the great Notorious B.I.G.’s favorite room to record at Daddy’s House Recording Studio. Although a placement did not come from the opportunity to complete have her work on Heavy D’s last studio album “Love Opus” , DeAna Fai utilized the direct and indirect lessons learned from both Heavy D and J.F. Bey in order to make a name for herself in the entertainment industry.
Since then and without representation, DeAna Fai secured TV and Film placements in “My Favorite Five,” “Hey Mr. Postman,” “Perfectly Single,” “Puzzled,” and “Empire.” In 2020, she was also selected to participate on Comedian and Former Co-host of “The Real,” Loni Love’s Quarantine Talent Show because of her rendition of the song “Listen” by Beyonce. The show drew 50,000 to 100,000 viewers.
“DeAna Fai presents Kings and Queens of Entertainment” PODCAST
During the COVID-19 pandemic, DeAna Fai utilized her resources and created a podcast of her own called “DeAna Fai presents Kings and Queens of Entertainment.” This podcast included more than 60 celebrities which included Shanti Lowry, Courtney Nichole, DJ Babey Drew, Dr. Chanita Foster, DJ Wayne Williams, Sharaya J, Larry Sims, Makeba Woods, Angela White, Stevie Edwards, Conroe Brooks, James Worthy, and others. There were 12 episodes at which the celebrities were scheduled and placed on panels without knowing who would be participating until the flyer was posted on social media platforms. The panelists had an opportunity to connect with each other, as well as their fans with various questions that gave all that attended a chance to laugh, learn, and network from this experience with talent that are making a difference in this world.
Following the last episode of the podcast’s first season, DeAna Fai created “DeAna Fai presents Kings and Queens of Entertainment Reunion Recap & Giveback.” Entertainers from the previous podcasts were invited back and reunited in the form of various panels with a goal of helping to raise awareness for a couple of foundations for its first season including the “National Breast Cancer Foundation” and the “American Stroke Association.” The celebrities that participated were D-Teck, Rodney Perry, Lady Luck, Tyrell Crawford, Rebecca King Crews, Brandon Broady, Claudia Jordan, Candace Wakefield, Stevie Boi, Tehran Von Ghasri, Rosemary Rodriguez, Melvin Jackson Jr., Rob Gordon, Erika Ringor, Sprague, TT The Artist, Jackie’s Boy, Kenneth Okolie, Angelique Bates, Rayshun LaMarr, DJ Pryor, Carrie Bernans, Hannon Lane, Kenya Brown, and Dunlap Exclusive. Although not originally on the podcasts, celebrities Erica Hubbard and Tony Dofat joined the show to help with raising awareness as well. The show is expected to be released on YouTube later this year following a red carpet premiere. Some of DeAna Fai’s new music will be heard on this platform as well, called “Kings and Queens,” “Challenge,” and “We Can Be More.”
DeAna Fai attributes a part of her success to the legendary Heavy D and J.F. Bey for believing in her and providing her first chance to work on a studio album by joining writing sessions with renown songwriters.
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Twitter: @DeAna_Fai–> https://twitter.com/DeAna_Fai
TikTok: @deanafai –> https://www.tiktok.com/@
ClubHouse: @deanafai –> https://clubhousedb.com/user/
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/