Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Déja Imani Fitzgerald. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Déja Imani, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

When I was four years old, my mother sent me to my first piano lesson. And I will be totally honest, I sure did not start out as some kind of savant or musical genius. The amount of poorly played renditions of childhood songs that my parents had to hear every day? Innumerable. And it was definitely a show of love that they applauded and encouraged me nearly every time, because I sure don’t know if I would have had the patience to listen to Mary Had A Little Lamb played 30 times in a row.

But I was really fortunate to have the support of my family, as they encouraged me to explore music for the sake of discovering what resonated best with me. So I tried so many things, I was a symphonic percussionist, I played the keys in a jazz band, I was even in a Led Zeppelin cover band through the School of Rock. All of these experiences taught me how to play cohesively with a group and to begin to find my place in a stage.

However, I didn’t really learn how to create music until I was well into college. I don’t know if I thought I was the next Ed Sheeran or what, but I got myself a guitar and a Boss RC 30 looper. Through the use of YouTube, I learned how to play a few chords and really jumped into jamming. All of the songs that I fell in love with? I turned them into these little groovy acoustic guitar RnB and indie rock covers. Like Sunshine Of Your Love by Cream? Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics? Only by Nicki Minaj? All of it was fodder for my creative exploration.

YouTube also taught me how to use a DAW in my early twenties, and all of my musical background really lent itself well to learning how to produce my own music. My work as a classical and jazz pianist taught me melody, my time playing the guitar taught me how to craft supplemental chord progressions and rhythm, and my experiences as a drummer taught me about grooves and syncopation. Along the way, I was also incredibly lucky that I had tremendous friends and mentors who shared their passions and valuable lessons with me about honing and expressing my authenticity within my music.

Knowing what I know now, I think I would have leaned into cultivating my community with my friends and mentors much earlier. I didn’t realize how eager my friends and mentors would be to share their passion for music with me, and I think I would have found myself as a creative so much quicker than I did toiling away by myself.

If anything, it was a slow journey to feeling comfortable with myself on stage, which was the biggest barrier to finding myself as an artist. As a kid, I was incredibly shy and I really struggled with a wild amount of anxiety and I remember being so fearful of how the audience perceived me, my performance, hell, even my hair, haha. But it was my friends, my family, and my mentors that really poured into me and helped me feel confident just being my mischievous self on a stage.

While I lowkey wish that I explored working with a DAW so much earlier in my career, I also really appreciate my start as an acoustic instrumentalist and I think it was critical for my foundation as an artist. Additionally, I think my background playing piano in a variety of genres was incredibly important, as it allowed me to understand how to creatively integrate genres to create music that resonated with my own eclecticism as a human.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hey! I’m Déja Imani—a Tennessee-based rapper, voice actor, host, research psychologist, and therapist, blending all my passions into one wild, creative, and ever-evolving career. Whether I’m on stage, behind a mic, or diving into deep psychological research, I’m all about making connections and telling stories that matter.

As a host, I love tapping into the energy of any room and finding ways to connect with people, whether it’s through entertainment or academic spaces. From hosting events for The Recording Academy to leading workshops for the American Psychological Association, I show up with authenticity, a little sass, and a lot of flair. You might also catch me on Out Loud Knox, where I bring a little on-air attitude, or over at Complexly and Arizona State University, trying to channel my inner Hank Green while diving deep into education and media.

But there’s more to my story than just what happens on the mic. As a therapist and psychological researcher, I bring a deeper understanding of people into everything I do. This side of me helps me create meaningful connections and dig into the human experience in ways that go beyond just entertainment. It’s all about mixing creativity with psychology—showing that you can be both a storyteller and a scholar.

When I’m not on air or hosting, you’ll probably find me making music, pouring my experiences into song writing and performances, and lighting up the stage with energy that matches my love for connecting with an audience. My music is where art and introspection meet, and it’s a reflection of the real-life journey I’m on.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

It is absolutely atrocious how quickly we are taught to conform to society’s narrow standards as human beings. Out of fear of standing out, being ostracized, or being treated differently, we take these incredible, one-of-a-kind aspects of ourselves and shrink them down, making them almost invisible so we don’t rock the boat or draw too much attention. It’s like we hide our sunshine just to fit into someone else’s cloudy day. Growing up, I remember there were times that I felt different for being queer, neurodivergent, Black, and whatever else. Hell, I remember there was a time when I just felt different for being a skater, and honestly, I should have. I was trash.

Yet, in this constant pursuit of being “palatable” for others—trying to fit their expectations and blend in—I found something ironic. I ended up making myself completely unpalatable for myself. In trying to please everyone else, I stopped pleasing the one person who truly matters: me. The more I tried to be what they wanted, the more I drifted away from the person I wanted to be. But here’s the thing, once you realize that, there’s no going back. You get to reclaim all the parts of yourself you tried to hide, and let them shine unapologetically. There’s a certain thrill in it—knowing you’re too vibrant, too bold, too uniquely YOU to ever be confined by someone else’s idea of “acceptable.”

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part about being a musician, performer, and overall creative is that I get to immerse myself in some of the most electric energy life has to offer. There’s something magical about standing on stage or in the studio, and seeing how my music and energy take on a life of their own in the hearts of the audience. It’s like we’re all caught up in this shared moment, and I get to be the one who sparks it.

There’s such a privilege in being someone who cultivates those moments of pure connection—moments where people can let go, feel deeply, and even rediscover parts of themselves they may have forgotten. It’s a powerful feeling to know that you’re not just entertaining, but creating a space where emotions, confidence, and even healing can flow freely. Whether it’s the rush of a high-energy performance or the quiet intimacy of a heartfelt song, I get to witness the way music breaks down barriers and brings people together. Every time I step into that creative space, I’m reminded that I’m not just doing something I love; I’m offering something that resonates with others on a level that words alone can’t always reach. And that’s where the real magic is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.soundsbyimani.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundsbyimani/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundsByImani/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@soundsbyimani/
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1UBsKdeiDhPqx92f1NdjJX

Image Credits

Magnolia and Ember, Jessie Fitzgerald