THE HEAT INTRODUCES OUR 1ST LADY SOUTHERN SOUL; FALISA JANAY`E

Talk about spunk and a whole lot of tenacity and you have to be talking about FaLisa JaNayè!

This lady has so much joy in her that you can’t help but to feel it every time she opens her mouth. It was much more than an interview that was shared between her and Nik-o-Licious, it was an outta body experience. Being grounded in God, she sends chills to the core of your soul when she describes how her career has taken off in a direction all of its own. When FaLisa JaNayè had her first conversation with The Heat, they both knew this would be a lifelong relationship. She makes you reflect on your life in a way that almost brings tears to your eyes when you hear about her success and how God has blessed her to simply bless others. I could go on and on about her, but I believe it’s time for you to check Ms. FaLisa JaNayè out for yourself.
FJ: I’m gonna pull over right here at the mall and just chit chat with you a little bit at home, in Columbus, MS.
The Heat: Columbus, MS, is that where you’re from?
FJ: I’m from a little small town called Crawford actually. Crawford MS, population about six hundred, same place Jerry Rice and Clarence Weatherspoon are from. (she laughs hard)
The Heat: When did you first discover that this music thing was for you?
FJ: Let’s see, 2002 when I came home from Germany and I started with my brother doing his Hip Hop thing. And right after that I started to get in the studio a little bit on my own and in 2007 I decided to go solo.
The Heat: “You Won’t Miss Your Water”. It takes me back home.
FJ: That song, first of all, I didn’t write it. A guy named Larome Powers wrote it, out of Memphis, TN. Actually he’d written that song for some guy and I was on the phone with him and I heard it and said, “I like it”. He said, “no, this is a little too grown up for you” and I go “no it isn’t”. I told him, if you don’t give me that song, Imma steal it…(she laughs hard). So finally he gave it to me. We went in the studio, took about two days to lay it down, and here we go.
The Heat: “Sweet Love”. I gotta tell you, that’s hot!
FJ: I wrote that song about eight years ago. I had just gotten off the phone with my husband. I had been out of town for about two or three weeks. I was missing him, he was missing me, and he was saying all the goodies on the phone I needed to hear and when I hung up, I wrote that song in about five minutes…(she laughs of pure joy).
The Heat: You’ve been doing this music now since 2007 as a solo artist.
FJ: I love it! I don’t think I would want to be doing anything else other than this. Tomorrow I’ll be attending the big party for the movie to be released in November. I am so excited because I have two songs on the soundtrack and plus I played a cameo role in the movie as a reporter. So I am so excited to see myself on the big screen and hear my songs on the soundtrack it’s like crazy!
The Heat: So tell us how you’re managing to rock, motherhood, familyhood, and careerhood?
FJ: I pray none stop. When you see me smiling, I’m praying. When you see me on that stage, I’m praying. I’m praying that I don’t fall, that somebody don’t grab me…(she giggles at the thought). I’m praying the promoter don’t run off with my money…(she laughs again). I’m praying they buy my CD. I’m praying don’t nobody start shooting and fighting. When you see me, I’m praying!
The Heat: Southern Soul, R&B, Blues, what’s your style?
FJ: (Still hysterically laughing) I’m Soul R&B…I hate for people to say, “oh you’re strictly a Southern Soul artist”. I’m a Michael Jackson girl first and foremost. I came up with Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mary J Blige. Those are my idols. I love Michael Jackson voice, his showmanship. I love Mary J voice, her strength in her vocals the meaning in her Lyrics. I love Shirley Ceaser, you know I’m a gospel girl to my heart. I love that old tyme gospel, you know when you be humming and clapping your hands and stumping your feet. That’s me.
The Heat: You seem to really feel what you’re doing.
FJ: When my audience receives me the way they do, and show so much love, it’s hard for me to stand there and do the TV show. I have to give them folks what they looking for. I got to bring it!
The Heat: Tell us about the movie.
FJ: The movie is entitled, “The Governor’s Daughter” and one of ATL’s very own, Lawyer Henderson, is the writer, producer, and director. He’s a mini Tyler Perry. He ain’t playing wit’it. He gave me the best part, I’m a reporter, so I can run my mouth. You know I’m from the country and I have never been in front of a camera but I told him, “Gimmie this paper, what I got to do”. (that joyful laugh rings in again) Then I got the part, I found out I had more than one line, more like six or seven pages. I was like, “wait a’minute this is more like a song, this kind of hard”,  but I pulled it off. (still laughing)
The Heat: Rumor has it that you’re doing this with No managers, No production company, Nobody?
FJ: (She lets out a Michael Jackson scream)No Mam! Webber Entertainment doesn’t owe NOBODY! You are absolutely right on that rumor. But guess what, I don’t have a 9 to 5  job. This is my job, this is my bread and butter. God has just been blessing me on top of blessings!  That’s why I want my voice heard so the next young lady out there can hear me and know she can still go to school, be a mommy, be a wife, be a single parent, hold it down, and do what she gotta do. It’s just me! God has just been blessing me.
The Heat: Tell us about your blessing landing a feature video with Jet Magazine?
FJ: Now wow, you giving me chills Nik.  I’m getting teary eyed. I was in Chicago with a friend shooting a video. I guess it was  just being in the right place at the right time. The taxi driving was taking me back to the hotel when I noticed Johnson Publishing Company name in lights. I asked him, “Is that THE Johnson’s Publishing company”, and he said, “you know you’re at the hotel right next door to it”. The next day before check out, I went over there with a CD in my hand and a business card, that’s all I had. As far as I got was the security guard, his name was Willie. He was so sweet. He tried to call and get somebody but he couldn’t . I left my business card and that CD with him and about three weeks later I got the call asking how we could be a benefit to each other and we went from there.  A few weeks later my video was up as a feature on their site and I screamed, yell, and jumped for joy! I am the very first Southern Soul female artist to be featured on their website. I am the very first Southern Soul artist to be featured ever in Signature J Magazine. I am the very first Southern Soul artist to do what I do!
The Heat: Well let me give you another first, Ms. Firsts Lady of Southern Soul. You are the very first Southern Soul Female artist featured with The Heat Magazine.
FJ: (Screaming full of joy once again)Are you serious!!! I kid you not, God be the glory! This is my Good Friday! You know what, last year I was nominated by the Just Blues Music Awards, and the year before that, Blues Critiques nominated me for the most popular category. And when I tell you I can’t believe some of the things I’ve accomplished so quickly. It’s only been two and a half years! The world don’t even know me yet! But I give God All the Glory!
The Heat: So what’s next for you?
FJ: I’m in the studio grinding as we speak. My fourth video from my CD, “Me” it’s already up. It’s so beautiful with what’s going on in my life right now. I would love to meet Mary J. Blige, Tyler Perry, and Oprah Winfrey.
The Heat: Lady, you have been a JOY to talk to. I’ve had such a great time laughing and talking and crying with you! We appreciate you taking this time out to share all the Miss Hats FaLisa JaNayè wears…We will always be here for you Ms. Southern Soul.
FJ: I want to thank you so much for the opportunity to talk and have a great time with you as well. I also want to thank all my fans for their support. Without them, where would I be? My biggest fans, my husband and my children. I love you! And to my biggest fan of all, my mother. A mother’s love is amazing! This has been a fantastic journey. For the people, “You hear me now, but you gonna see me later”! And look for FJ clothing line coming soon! I appreciate The Heat for giving the artist such as myself, the chance to tell our story. I am so glad to be a part of The Heat family. Ya’ll holding it down ATL style. Much Love,FJ

What a pleasure to talk to this talented Southern Woman! We at The Heat Magazine wish her the best everyday she’s out there grinding to get it done. We Love You at The Heat FaLisa! Muah!

Much Love! One Love!
Feel “The Heat”

And if you haven’t heard this amazingly talented Super Woman, check her out on: Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, CD Baby, ITunes, Amazon… what are you waiting for?! Go check her out!