You are the first female solo artist to be signed Do you hope to replicate their success? to Greengarden Records. What do you think I would love in ten years time for you to be inmakes you stand out from the crowd? terviewing a new artist and them saying that Vocally I think that my sound is very unique. I Yetunde Johnson had inspired them to write suppose I could sing over any beat, I don’t like songs. I would love for that to happen. If I could to box myself. I always describe my sound as have an inch of success that my heroes have my emotions. It is really just an outlet to say how had I would be happy. I am feeling. I am bringing a new flavour in my own right. I am writing my own songs and have How did you find working with your brother my own stories to tell. There is a lot of eccentric- before you got your deal? ity going on at the moment, but I am bringing it back to the r’n’b/soul/pop crossover. I think in the When I didn’t have a deal, we worked in my brotUK there is a gap when it comes to that market. er’s makeshift studio in his bedroom. It is very That is where I would place myself. good to write with people who know you so well, it allows you to be vocal about what you really When I was growing up the people who inspired believe. All that early worked allowed me to grow me were Mariah Carey, En Vogue and SWV. But in confidence. Otherwise with other producers I unfortunately they have all kind of died out. So would have been too shy to say to bigger producnow there is something for young girls to dance ers that I didn’t like a beat or a sound. It is easy to and be inspired by. to think that because they have a lot of money behind them that what they say is always right, “I don’t like to box myself. I always but it is good to keep sight of your own opinion. Those early days built me up as a writer and an describe my sound as my emo- artist. My brothers have been a big part of this tions. It is really just an outlet to whole process for me. They are still very much a part of it all for me. say how I am feeling.” You write your own material, can you tell us a little bit more about the process... Most of the time I just get into the studio, without having listened to music for a few months. I just didn’t want things to influence me. Sometimes you hear a beat and it makes you feel angry, others remind you of love. You just kind of go with the flow. Sometimes I just write without the music, then try piece it together with a beat. It is usually to do with guys or to do with work, things that everyone my age goes through.
“I would love in ten years time for you to be interviewing a new artist and them saying that Yetunde Johnson had inspired them to write songs. I would love for that to happen.” Have you been able to use any of the original material for your forthcoming album “Favourite Things”?
A couple of those original songs are on my album. They have been jazzed up but I want them It all goes back to the Whitney era. But right now there as they are very sentimental for me. I never I would say Mary J Blige is a huge influence. She want to forget where I have come from or where has been consistent through the years without I am at the moment. necessarily conforming to expectations. She is still so modest, yet her voice is unique and her Having worked with your brother and collabsound complete edgy and contemporary. Some- orated with your labelmate Haydon Eshun. body like that I am still inspired by. I don’t think Who would be your dream collaboration. there anyone out there that is new that I would In an instant Pharrell Williams. I just think he is run to buy their album. I think the old-timers are a genius. still the greatest, Aretha and Marvin.
Who out there inspired you at the moment?
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“I’m What You Want” out July 12th. www.myspace.com/yetundejohnsonmusic