Meet Emi Secrest, the Memphis sensation, who promises to move your soul. The singer/songwriter’s new major label deal with LMG/ Universal marks a new chapter in her extraordinary musical journey.
Your journey in the music industry has led you to collaborate with legendary artists like Christina Aguilera, Kanye West, and Macy Gray. How have these experiences influenced your own musical style and approach to creating music?
I will definitely say Macy Gray was an influence because she worked with me the longest. She had me sing background with her when I was nineteen. Seeing liberation, her creativity, her freedom, and her willingness to go against the grain were inspiring. She made all of her studio sessions fun. I definitely implemented that in my creative process. I make every session like it’s a party. I feel that if you are in a good space, you can create from a pure and authentic space. If you are in a bad space, you’re trying to convince people that you’re not in that space. When you are naturally in a pleasant space, the music is just way more believable.
Your debut single is described as pure R&B soul, a genre known for its captivating sound. What inspired you to choose this genre for your debut, and how do you think it will resonate with your audience?
I think that, of course, because I’m Black, it’s going to be R&B. I think the soul is what I’m focused on because I’m from Memphis and there is just such a rich soul history there. I am inspired by the kind of songs you would hear while your mother was cleaning up. Fast forward twenty-five years later. You can still hear those songs and still resonate with them. I think I lean way more towards the soul genre. You can hear my music ten years from now and you will still be able to relate to it.
Could you share some insights into your partnership with Universal Music Group and LMG Records? How has this collaboration shaped your artistic vision and career trajectory?
First thing, shout out to LMG/Universal… I was independent ten years before I signed. I was one of those artists who wanted to do it by myself. I didn’t want to be told what to do. I wanted to have creative control. In my brain, because I didn’t know differently, I felt that if I signed, I would lose creative control. For the longest, I paid for everything and I struggled. I didn’t have a budget for a publicist or a DSP agent. I didn’t have any of the things that a label provides for you. I just had to ask myself—did I still want to work myself to death? Do I want to feed the people on the plane, fly the plane, land the plane, then get off and go do a show? No, I want to live in my soft-girl era!
When Steve found me, he pretty much said he would give me creative control. It’s in my contract. I think that as artists we really have educated ourselves in knowing that you can make a deal work, if you can make it work for you. It took me eight months to negotiate my deal to get the things that I was comfortable with. When you’re collaborating with a label, it’s a partnership… However, when you get what you ask for, it’s on you to put up or shut up. I am in my “put up” mode. My foot is on my own neck.
With your diverse musical background, how do you maintain your unique artistic identity while exploring different genres?
I don’t really listen to what’s trending. Even on Instagram, my Explore page really doesn’t have any music on it. It has reels of people cooking outdoors… I’m just into different types of things. I have created a kind of bubble and just stay in it so that I’m really true to myself. I am also just really big on creating what I feel. If I wake up and I feel like an R&B record, me and my producer are going to create an R&B record. If I feel like a little bit of bluegrass and a little bit of soul, I will create that. I don’t put limits on myself to try to fit into what’s going on. I just create what feels good.
Being from Memphis, a city steeped in musical history, how does the essence of your hometown influence your music, especially in your debut single?
I definitely that that you can hear the soul. Right now, Memphis is really big with Glorilla, Yo Gotti, and rest in peace to Young Dolph. Besides K. Michelle, the queen of Memphis R&B, there hasn’t really been someone coming from that soul space—that Al Green space. When you cut it on, you’re like this feels like home—this feels good. We are really bringing light to that. That’s the part of Memphis I feel like the world hasn’t really seen. There are so many different parts of the city. It is so rich in musical history.
Back in the day, you had Patti. You had Aretha. You had Gladys. You had so many different spaces for so many different types of voices and personalities. I really feel like that’s going to come back to the forefront. People are craving something real and authentic. That’s something that I am really adamant about giving my audience.
Having already shared stages with renowned artists, what are your aspirations for your musical journey?
My aspirations? I am going to tell you something. Honestly, my life would be so happy and so fulfilled if I could reach 80-years-old and still be able to stand up and sing. If I can’t stand up, then I will sit on a chair and sing in front of people and my voice not be ruined. (laughing). That is my goal, to be an artist who has longevity—that is still creating in my later years. That’s my ultimate goal.
Have you ever considered the possibility of venturing into other avenues within the entertainment industry?
Definitely, in fact, I just actually got a commercial/acting agent. My first acting debut was on Meet The Johnsons, which is a sitcom produced by Cedric The Entertainer. They actually wrote my role, acting as myself. The entire process of going to Atlanta and being a part of an all-Black television production was amazing. Everybody loved their job. Everyone was so nice. For me, I love growing. I love being challenged. I definitely see myself doing more acting. I also love getting dressed up and taking photos, so I do see myself doing some plus-size modeling as well. I am open to doing anything creative. I don’t want to get bored with this.
Be’n Original
