Miss Julie speaks out
Miss Julie is one of a crop of young Sierra Leonean musicians who has played a prominent role in making Sierra Leone artists known in the Diaspora, especially in the USA where she has been residing. Recently, Sierra Express Media caught up with the diva and this is what she had to say on her music, on her plans and on the problems facing local artists in the country.
SEM: How did you come into music?
Miss Julie: Music is something I had a passion for since 1994, and thankfully I have a brother by the name of K-One who is a music lover and he made my love for music a reality by encouraging me to sing, he also introduced me to the music industry. K-One also introduced me to other musicians in my initial appearances. I later met with other musical stars like Dry Eye Crew and I have featured with prominent musical stars in the country like Pupa Baja and the Bow-Wow Society. I also became a part of the Sierra Leone music industry and made many friends who are also musicians and who helped me along the way. I released my debut album titled “Rest Of My Life” produced by Forensic Records. I must say that I owe a lot to Mr. Allie Conteh, the producer and Dave Mike the engineer for their great work in making my first album such a success.
The tracks in the album became famous especially ‘Rest Of My Life’ and another track entitled ‘Don’t think I am a fool.’ These were the songs that catapulted me into the limelight as far as the musical industry is concerned that was the time I realized that music is my life.
I took a nationwide tour and later an international tour to showcase my talent. Mr. Michael Frazer, also a lover of music sponsored this tour; I owe him respect and appreciation.
Can you give a Brief Background of your life
I was born in the Central part of Freetown to hardworking parents who always wanted me to succeed in whatever I chose to undertake. I am proud to say that I come from a nuclear family that means all of us are from one dad and one mum. It is not a polygamous family and interestingly my mother is a Muslim and my father is a devout Christian. All this shows how we started practicing democracy in our home long before it became fashionable for women to be given their rights by their men folk.
I attended the St. Anthony’s Primary School in Freetown and later proceeded to the Vine Memorial Secondary School where I did my Junior Secondary School and completed my high school at the Methodist Girl’s High School. Currently, I am attending the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology where I am studying Hotel Management.
You seem to be engaged in education and academic work as well, how will you compromise being a musical star as well as being a college student?
Well really it has not been easy. On the music side it is a God given talent on the other hand I am trying my best in the academic world but it is not easy however, I have trust in myself and I am working very hard to succeed. Music is already part of me on the other hand women have to be empowered because tomorrow I might change my career and I might engage in other activities. I might even have my own hotel so it is better I know what is involved.
Which kind of music do you usually play?
I am a versatile woman and play different types of music and videos and I am good in all what I engage in, and my fans can testify my first album is proof of my talent.
How many albums have you produced so far?
Three albums, the first as I told you is ‘Best Of My Life’ the second is ‘I found Love’ and the forth coming album is ‘Message from Julie.’
Female musicians in Sierra Leone have generally been regarded as singing only for love or sexual relationships, what has been your focus in the case of women generally.
Remember I told you I am a versatile women, so I sing for everybody in all areas – for example I sing for mothers, children, youths as well as women. I am a versatile woman.
There has been a conflict of interest among some musicians who tend not to see eye to eye and even a shooting has been reported among some musical stars leading to police arrest and court action. What can you say about this issue as a musician?
We are all musicians in Sierra Leone and we are all trying to become somebody in society so my own advice to my fellow colleagues is that this is not the time for cussing and fighting. We are engaged in nation building and President Ernest Bai Koroma is doing so well to ensure that we live in a peaceful atmosphere of trust. We should forget about cussing and fighting and support a new Mama Salone.
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