The Detroit rapper’s new single is a left turn from the melancholic music that put her on. Replacing the dreamy production and wailing melodies of her early material are Just Blaze-esque horns and basslines, ascendant hooks and defiant raps. The track follows DeJ’s single “No Fear,” which had a similarly uplifting sound, but was more 2017 Calvin Harris than 2003 HOT 97 — the era “Changes” nods towards.
DeJ recently spoke to HNHH about how her music and look has evolved. “It wasn’t like a point where I was like ‘yo, I gotta switch my style,’ she said. “My hair started growing…That caused me to try new hair styles, and you know, not being afraid to try new things.” She also touched on the concept of fear, and how overcoming it has influenced this era. “Fear held me back a lot, personally as a kid. Growing up, like I was very shy and to myself, and you know, that kind of holds you back.”
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