Adia is a wonderful songstress that I had the pleasure of coming across last year over the summer at a listening party. Adia caught my attention with her strong and melodic vocals, her voice is unique, and her style is something that I haven’t heard from the Chicago scene before.
So, I made it my job to investigate to find her social media and her music. I wanted to get more of a in-depth knowledge of who she is and the music that she makes, because I needed more! As I knew they would, my immaculate investigation skills got me where I needed to be, and I’ve been showcasing my support for Adia and her amazing voice ever since!
I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to interview such an incredible talent such as herself, and I would love for you all to get to know Adia and to get into the music!
- What’s your name and where are you from?
My name is Adia Dew, and I am from Hazel Crest, Illinois.
- How would you describe your music?
I would describe my music as, you know, like your favorite blanket? As weird as that sounds, you have a favorite blanket, and you just wrap up in it, and you’re just comfortable and cozy. That’s how I explain my music, it’s really comforting, warm, and freeing.
- How old were you when you discovered music was what you wanted to do?
Well, when I was about 5, that’s when I first started realizing how much I love music. There was a piano in my household, and I have 2 older brothers who are also musicians; and so, I would also go to their plays, they would always be playing with me, and stuff like that. Then I joined a choir when I was 7, it was called “Voices of Inspiration.” So, it was somewhere within that time frame where I really realized that I could actually sing, and that I loved to sing. In terms of full blown “this is what I want to do,” I was either 13 or 14.
- What music was played when you were growing up?
My Mom is a bit younger, and my Dad is older. So, growing up, on my Dad’s side, I got ahold of classics: Earth, Wind, & Fire; Cameo; Whitney, Aretha. On my Mom’s side, she was putting me on to Hip Hop/Rap, NWA, stuff like that; but also, a lot of Neo-Soul music. My mom is who I got Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, India.Arie, Musiq Soulchild. I also spent a lot of time with my Grandma too, so I got to hear B.B. King, Johnnie Taylor, Blues, and Jazz.
- Who are a few of your inspirations?
Definitely Jill Scott; Erykah Badu, of course, that’s a given; Amy Winehouse; I would definitely say, my brother. My brother, his name is Sam Dew, he’s also a musician and producer. Also, last but not least, Tyler, the Creator, because Tyler was the reason I felt like it was ok to be weird, when I was 12 or 13. Tyler for sure, because I thought it was dope that he came up doing whatever the f*ck he wanted.
- How has music impacted your life?
Music has impacted my life because it has pretty much guided me through everything. I know that sounds super cliche, but for me, even though I was big on entertainment and TV and stuff like that too, it was always music. If I was grounded, you know, you couldn’t have TV or anything, in my situation. It was always like, “ok, let me throw some CDs in, listen to my lil portable CD player in my room, and just cry about it.” Music was always comforting for me, and that plays off of why I feel like my music should just give people more of that warm feeling, because that’s what it’s always done for me. Even going through high school, eccetera, it has helped me with my depression, and stuff like that. It’s just life, music is life.
- What are a few of your favorite songs you’ve written and why?
Hmm, definitely “Same Old,” which is a song I released in 2017. I’m in college, and I’m a junior now. So, that’s definitely my favorite song, because when I wrote it, it was about being tired of the same routine. I thought it was a dope song when I made it, but it was even cooler to see how receptive people were to the message that I was giving, and to see how many people could relate. For me, that was one of the first singles that I put out on SoundCloud, because I’ve only been releasing art for 2-3 years now, and so, that had actually gotten 1,000 plays within a week, and I was actually taken aback, because I had no followers at all. That’s definitely one of my favorite songs that I’ve written, because of how well it was received and how it felt to record it. Other than that, I can’t really speak too much about the unreleased stuff, because it’s not out yet, but I got some fire that I’m really rockin’ with. I have a few favorites but, I’ll be able to talk about that in a few months.
- Who is a dream collaboration for you?
Lowkey, my brother. Everyone needs to look into Sam Dew, and also Cloudeater! One of my dream collaborations is with my own brother. His work ethic is so amazing, and the art that he creates is breathtaking. I can only imagine what we’d create together, but he’s sort of waiting for me to graduate before he steers me into the music industry. Definitely Pharrell, I think everyone wants to work with Pharell, because he’s dope. The Internet too, Kaytranada, let me get that!
- What’s one lesson you’ve learned while on your musical journey?
Trust the process, but don’t trust too many people. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in “this sounds super cool,” “oh, they’re going to have my best my interest,” “oh, we can make some dope sh*t together,” but they can be corrupt ass people. I was a part of a music group originally, it seemed sweet. I was collaborating with these people who were letting me record for free, but I should’ve known that there would be some give and take to it, but he ended up getting me to try to sign papers. It was a lot to it, but I had to dodge that bullet. Luckily, I have my brother who’s in the industry. So, that taught me, “stick to family, if you have the resources, just call you brother, you don’t have to feel the need to do everything on your own, because you’re honestly not by yourself.” I do have the advantage of having a brother in the industry, so it’s like, a lot of those situations I didn’t need to put myself in, and I learned that quick.
- What keeps you motivated to go after pursuing music?
What keeps me motivated is definitely my friend circle, so many of us are going nuts! It’ll be the little things, a new gig, a new performance venue, or just the come-up, or a new track that’s fire. Any time I produce, any time I make something new, and it’s really hitting with me, I’m just like “oh my gosh, I love this so much, I love music so much.” The actual love for the art, is what keeps me going, honestly. Other than that, faith knowing that I’ll make it, definitely my brother as well. My brother is on a larger scale of things, but even he has doubt, it’s not like it ever goes away, it’s just about staying motivated. I feel like it’s all just a matter of time, if you’re really passionate about what you do.
- What’s some advice you would give to young aspiring artists?
Copyright your music; don’t just pull Youtube beats and not give credit to the producer, because if you make a smash hit off of that, and you give no credit, that could really screw you up in the end, so protect your art; and just being yourself, I feel as though that’s the most important part. Also, going back to Tyler, the Creator, it was so important for me to listen to super weird music, because I had to embrace every side of me in order to make the art that I make. So, being yourself is real, and being smart.
For more of Adia:
IG: adiarxcks
SoundCloud: Adia_Dew
If in the Chicago area, Adia has a show Saturday, February 23, buy tickets here!
