With a sound that has been quoted as a mix between R&B legends Teena Marie and Stephanie Mills, this Columbus OH native has made her mark from the Midwest to the South. Balancing her education, her music and operating her own entertainment company all in one hand, Naija embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of every woman that is pursing their dreams while still handling their business! Established in 2005, and surviving ever since, En~Tu Melodics Entertainment; Naija's entertainment company serves multiple purposes.  While being a Mecca for local artists to create amazing music, it's also a drug prevention program that utilizes music as an alternative to the streets. Today Yo! Raps sits down with this amazing woman and takes a deeper look at her company, her music and what the future has to offer.

So you're from Columbus, Ohio and by the way of Dallas, Texas. How is the music scene in Columbus compared to Dallas?

The music scene in Columbus is a stagnate community compared to Dallas. In Dallas, there is an endless array of music venues and artist districts allowing local musicians to showcase their talents. DJ and artist movement conventions are held in Dallas every year. Theses opportunities are opening doors in education in developmental measures for all DJs and musicians from all over the U.S. and it doesn't stop! An excellent music community I've been exposed to as well as the audience that gives back. 

If you had to choose only one place to represent which on would it be and why?

I would have to represent Columbus to the fullest. That is my hometown. That is where my foundation was built. From forming dance groups, putting on fashion shows, winning talent shows, that's what my reputation holds back home.

Why do they call you the "Empress of R&B"?

The Empress is a name given to me by friends in Dallas and fans on MySpace. I asked the same question to them and the response from the locals was, "It embodies my elegance inside and out." I would get comments such as, "They sleeping on you! You can sing any MF thing! Your MySpace does you no justice live! Why are you here (in Dallas) you need to be much further than here! You're like one of those artists that come out once every 10 years, i.e. Alicia Keys, Beyonce." These are the comments I get and I remain humbled and carry the name Empress for it is a gift from my fans.

Your sound is quoted as being a mix between "Teena Marie, add a little Stephanie Mills, mix in a little Deniece Williams and Regina Bell." Are these some of your favorite artists?

Yes. Those artists are the foremothers that opened doors for myself and many other female artists. Their unique, soulful, signature vocals highly influenced me. I love all of the above-mentioned artists because when you hear one of their songs you know you are getting ready to hear some rips and notes that the average singer can't touch. I'm honored to be mentioned in the same caliber as these artists and hope that when someone hears one of my songs they will know who I am.

If you had to pick one R&B diva from the past and one from the present that most embodies your style who would they be and why?

Limited to one is hard! From the past, Teena Marie embodies my style vocally because of her vocal gymnastics are similar to my own. There's really only one diva from the present and that's Beyonce. I'm just keeping it 100. Her soulful runs are phenomenal and I can naturally roll right along with them. My upcoming album will give my audience more diversity than what they already know. With these two incredible divas ingredients I have a recipe of myself. Classy, talented, and sexy!

You're currently pursuing your education in Business Management and the Medical Industry at the same time. How do you juggle school and your music at the very same time?

My studies in Business Management were pursued in 2005, working in the Medical Industry since 2002 has been another natural talent. Now a Medical Assistant has it rewards, never overwhelming to me because at the end of the day, I turn to my music and it allows me to escape. While working on my songwriting and arranging my songs, it balances everything out. I'm a single parent juggling spending time with my three boys.  They watch everything I do. That's a good thing! Now, they are all developing into artists and musicians. So I'm cultivating that by offering everything I know, passing on to them.

Not only that, in your obviously entrepreneurial spirit, you are also the CEO of your own entertainment company. What can we expect from this company?

Established in 2005, and surviving since. En~Tu Melodics Entertainment, I created the name from En~Tu from Into, Melodics from Melodies - I put a Latin twist on it because of my admiration for the culture. A renaissance company created by a renaissance woman, En~Tu Melodics Ent. is where amazing talent exists, from youth to adults. It's also a drug prevention program, designed to utilize a comprehensive culturally based education and theater arts component. To prevent youth from turning to drugs after school hours. The theater art aspect will collaborate with an artistic director to assist the youth to create playwrights for the community.

Your mother and father instilled a classical style in you. Would you say that it enhanced you vocal ability?

Yes. It definitely helped with my ear, patience (vocal control), personal passion, and appreciation for music. I think of music in totality from the lowest blues to the highest symphony in which has enhanced my diversity vocally. I often fall asleep to cinematic music.

You're your own writer as well, right? Would you say that your upbringing helped you with your writing abilities?

Yes, I write my own material. I've written poetry as a child. No idea why I started writing poetry, it just started flowing out of me and I enjoyed it. Then later I developed more into songwriting.

Many of today's R&B artists are not writing their own music. Why is that of an importance to you?

Writing your own material, selling thousands of units, you ultimately will get the benefits as oppose to that percentage of writers royalties going to another writer. Now, there's an advantage to having another writer and that's getting someone else's feel from a song is beneficial. It could create a different vibe altogether, as to what you may have initially envision the song to be. 

You recently just completed your first production, Many Faces Of A Woman, back in May 2009. Tell us about it!

Many Faces Of A Woman, I did everything from the song line-up selection, to the lighting for each song, I created a power point video for each song for a 50 ft. movie screen, the choreography for my background singers, created entrance/exit music for the audience, marketing, the ticket distribution, spoken word ensemble, and incorporated a spoken word artist and an MC. Many Many Faces Of A Woman was generalization of a woman going different emotions in a relation from trouble, sad, happy, and then to a resolved state. We are considering taking the production on the road. A lovely, proud production!

The name of the upcoming album is The Quiet Before The Storm. Tell us more about what we can look forward to from this LP.

The album is a little something that everyone can relate to. I'm a balladeer at heart, while giving you passion and jazz, I twist in a little hip hop, class, sensuality, even throw a little Beethoven track at you. A very eclectic album I am proud to share with the world.

If you could choose 2 collaborations to put on this album be it any genre, who would they be and why?

Thought you'd never ask...Eric Benet! I would be obliged to do collaboration with Eric Benet. I've always have been attracted to his vocal dynamics and arrangement style. He's a definite favorite. Second, Maxwell! Most artists arrange their vocals because of their signatures, I admire Maxwell's. With Maxwell, I feel the same as I do with Eric Benet. Both would be a phenomenal collaboration! Got to put in at least 2 rappers, Jadakiss or Jay-Z!

Last but not least, tell us all where we can find out more about your music and upcoming projects.

My official website is www.entumelodics.com or www.myspace.com/naija1love.

- By Lucky Charms

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