Serbian pop-star Didi is ready to make her mark on the music world. Gearing up to release her single “Say No More” in the US and with plans for global domination running through her mind, she kindly agreed to this interview to chat favorite venues, musical inspirations and new music.
PW: Please introduce yourself.
Didi: My name is Didi. I am a singer-songwriter and fashion designer from the Austria and Montenegro region of Europe. I have been singing since young, but did not start following my dream until I turned 18, and won the biggest festival in my country. Where I’m from, there are not really artists singing commercial pop music. Almost all of the singers sing folk music. So, at first, no one was supportive of my dream. It wasn’t until I started becoming popular in my region that even my family started to support me. I’ve had singles chart in the top 100 in large markets like Spain, along with artists like Maroon 5, JLo and Pitbull. And, now I dream of becoming a popular artist in the US, the largest market in the world. It is every singer’s dream to make it in America.
PW: How would you sum yourself and your music up in a few words?
D: Hmm…I would have to sum up me and my music as fun, sexy, dance-Infused, and high fashion.
PW: Which bands and artists did you grow up listening to and how did they influence you? Have such influences changed over the years?
D: I grew up listening to Britney, Madonna and J-Lo. From the moment I saw them, I loved the way they performed, their costumes, their personal style, and that you could have fun and dance to almost every one of their songs. They make music that makes you feel good. That makes you feel beautiful, strong, and sexy, when you sing them. The influences over me haven’t really changed throughout the years. I still want to make great music that makes people feel good and dance. I still want to be a fashionable artist, as well as an artist that inspires people to be their beautiful selves!
PW: When did you first realise you wanted to be part of the music industry? Was there an album you listened to or concert you attended that made you think ‘yeah, I want to do that’?
D: I’ve wanted to be a singer since I can remember first hearing a great song on the radio. Probably, the biggest thing that made me really want to be an artist was watching J-Lo videos. She was so glamorous, and I knew that I wanted to be an artist fashion diva.
PW: Is there a band or artist out there you might say you’re similar to?
D: I would love to say that I am similar to J-Lo because she is my idol, but I think I am unique, and there are not really any new artists out who have such high fashion incorporated into every aspect of their artistry, like I do. Fashion is a very big part of who I am as a person and artist.
PW: You’ve yet to release any music in the States, but of the tracks you’ve recorded, could you pick a favorite? If so, which is it and why?
D: Actually, all of them are my favorites! But, if I had to pick, I would have to pick two, “Say No More” and “Lingerie Photoshoot”. “Say No More” is actually the first single we are releasing in the US. I like it because the track is very different and unique, and, when we wrote it, it was written about love and passion. I am a very passionate person, who loves to be in love. “Lingerie Photoshoot” is a fun song for me. I LOVE photoshoots, so this song is about being sexy and being beautiful. Feeling beautiful for your loved one, and giving them their own private sexy photo session.
PW: How easy/hard do you find the song-writing process and who/what most inspires you?
D: To be honest, the song-writing process varies for me. It depends on what mood I’m in. If I’m happy, and feeling the same emotions that the song is dealing with, then writing with my team goes quick and smooth. But, if I’m stressed, I have to work with my team to overcome a block.
My family and love inspires me most. Most of my songs are about love. And, my love has supported me from day 1. He is a major part of my life and career.
PW: Which song, in your opinion, is the greatest ever written and why?
D: I think the greatest song ever written is “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion, which featured in the film Titanic and was part of its soundtrack. When I was young, I used to sing that song almost every day. It is great, in my opinion, because it is such an emotional and timeless song.
PW: If you could play one venue anywhere in the world, which would it be and why?
D: If I could play one venue anywhere in the world, I would have to pick the O2 Arena in London. It is one of the biggest venues in the world, and you know you have achieved a certain level of success and greatness as an artist, if you play that venue. It has hosted some of the biggest artists in the world like Madonna, Beyonce, and U2.
PW: If you could share a stage with four other bands or artists, who can be living or dead, who would they be and why?
D: I would love to perform with Beyonce, J-Lo, Madonna, and Shakira because all of them are great artists. They are all fashion divas as well, and I think we could put on a great, sexy, fashionable show together. Plus, they are artists that I really admire and aspire to one day be like.
PW: Are there any upcoming performance/tour plans you can tell me about?
D: We are working on setting up some performances. So, I will keep you updated. But, we are releasing the song “Say No More” digitally and for radio this month! I’m very excited!
PW: What are your thoughts on social media and do you agree that it’s necessary for bands and artists today? How is it helping you establish yourself?
D: I think social media is very, very important for artists today. Not only is it a great way to engage and stay in contact with fans, but it is a great way to get new fans, build a fan-base, and get exposure for your music. Social media has helped me greatly. I work my social media a lot, and my fans love it. It has helped me reach fans in places around the world that I otherwise would not have had access to.
PW: What does the rest of the year have in store for you?
D: Well, my plan is to take the music industry by storm! World domination! But, we will see about that. In my quest, we plan to have more performances and appearances to support the release of my first US single.
PW: Finally then, what’s your ultimate ambition as an artist and whose career would you most like to emulate and why?
D: Ultimately, I would like to be as successful and famous as Madonna, Britney Spears and J-Lo, because they are music icons, and I want my career to be as great as theirs. But, I don’t want to be exactly like them because I want people to see me as unique, as an individual, and not as a Britney, Madonna, or J-Lo wannabe. I want to inspire future artists, and have those artists look up to me, as I’ve looked up to Madonna, Britney, and J-Lo.
For more information on Didi, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Instagram.
