We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Danii Roundtree a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Danii, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I have ever worked on is my current upcoming album. This has been a 5-year creative process that has pushed me to grow immensely, and I am so excited to finally begin sharing this body of work that I have poured my heart and soul into.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Danii Roundtree is a multifaceted artist whose life is a testament to her unwavering dedication to her craft. With her distinctive perspective, she invites audiences into a world where her boundless talents shine. As a vibrant Soul/Pop, R&B, and Jazz artist, Danii’s sound evokes the classic, timeless tunes of yesteryear while seamlessly integrating the freshness of today. Her journey into the world of music began at the age of 11, igniting a passion that would shape her future. After graduating from the Dillard Center for the Performing Arts, Danii pursued her education at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she majored in Vocal Performance. She then delved into the world of musical theater at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, in collaboration with The New School in New York City.
During her time in school, Danii achieved the remarkable feat of being crowned “Miss New York USA” in 2008, triumphing over 300 competitors. Her win marked a historic moment, as she became the first Black woman in over a decade to claim the title. This success propelled her to represent New York in the nationally televised Miss USA pageant. Furthermore, Danii was selected as one of 20 individuals across the United States to showcase her talents in Broadway’s esteemed summer concert series, “Broadway’s Rising Stars.”
In 2009, Danii’s career took a pivotal turn when she participated in the widely popular television competition, American Idol. Although her journey on the show was cut short due to illness, she made a lasting impression by reaching the top 100 contestants. This experience served as a catalyst, fueling her determination to pursue a professional career in recording and performing on an even grander scale, ultimately channeling her efforts into the creation of her own original music.
Life imitates art in Danii’s debut album, “Memoirs,” a captivating collection of musical tales inspired by a storybook romance that concludes before it truly begins. Reflecting on the project, Danii shares, “This album is a reflection of true life events… as a singer-songwriter, I document these experiences through song. The album is literally a compilation of my own memoirs.” The sound embodies a nostalgic, jazz-infused essence with funk and soul elements. One of the standout singles from “Memoirs,” “Crave,” garnered widespread acclaim from numerous influential trade publications.
Danii Roundtree’s remarkable talents have propelled her into the spotlight, resulting in coveted performance opportunities at prestigious festivals, including The Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Atlanta Pride Festival, and the Suwannee Jazz Festival. Demonstrating her versatility and ambition, Danii has successfully had her music featured in numerous national TV commercials, TV shows, movies, and web campaigns for esteemed companies such as Wayfair, HomeChef, Netflix, Disney, and Bose, among others. Additionally, her music has reached audiences across the country, being played in various retail spaces, including Delta, Macy’s, and Footlocker.
Danii’s impressive career trajectory has also seen her share the stage with renowned artists such as Alex Bugnon, Zakiya Hooker, Chrisette Michele, and Goodie Mob. Responding to the demand from her growing fan base, Danii released her first Christmas project, “Retro Christmas,” which achieved a successful European radio run and amassed over 25,000 streams in its debut week.
Looking ahead, Danii Roundtree is now channeling her energies into the forthcoming release of her next studio album, which features an impressive lineup of over 70 musicians from around the world, including Grammy and award-winning artists. This ambitious project reflects her unwavering commitment to pushing creative boundaries and leaving an indelible mark on the global music scene.
Demonstrating her multifaceted talent, Danii has also just released a new single, “Another Lonely Sunday.” Furthermore, Danii is now showcasing her entrepreneurial skills as she has opened the doors to her production company, Roundtree Media Group. The company’s first major project is the visual for the new single, “Another Lonely Sunday,” which is already a success, garnering almost 10,000 views on its first full day of release.
Danii Roundtree’s fervent hope is that her storytelling will deeply resonate with audiences, solidifying her status as an emerging force within the music industry. With her unwavering dedication and a commitment to pushing creative boundaries, Danii Roundtree is poised to carve out a lasting legacy as a captivating storyteller and an influential figure within the vibrant tapestry of the music world.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I first moved to Atlanta, I didn’t know a single person. I was jobless and homeless. I had big dreams. I wanted to create music that not only would touch people, but be seen across film and TV. Over the last decade, I have worked relentlessly in order to propel myself forward. I wasn’t going to allow circumstances to stop me from going after what I want. I’m proud of myself for staying the course, and now I am finally seeing the results of so much hard work.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I aspire to showcase that you can be uniquely you and create art that evokes the raw emotion of love. In today’s climate, there has to be individuals who dare to be different and forge their own paths.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.daniiroundtree.com
• Instagram: @daniiroundtree
• Facebook: Daniiroundtreeofficial
• Linkedin: Danii Roundtree
• Twitter: @daniiroundtree
• Youtube: DaniiRoundtreeMusic

Image Credits
Abstract Perceptions, Wallace Gentry (Singing photo)