Aside from her baddie bops, there are a few more thing that fans love about Denise Julia—her authenticity and wanting to see her fellow baddies win.
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In line with its active commitment to highlighting homegrown talent and adding that sugar n’ spice to your playlists, this year sees RADAR Philippines doubling down on its promise with the unveiling of the RADAR Philippines Class of 2024.
Among the standout artists featured in this year’s lineup is none other than Denise Julia— an R&B sensation known as the Patron Saint of Situationships. From relative obscurity just a few years ago, Denise has become one of the hottest new artists on the scene thanks to her hit tracks like Sugar n’ Spice, NVMD, and Butterflies. But here’s the kicker: what sets Denise Julia apart isn’t just her hit tracks; it’s her unfiltered authenticity that fans can’t get enough of.
In a behind-the-scenes chat, Denise Julia spills the tea on her RADAR ride, putting genuine expression front and center, and cheering on her fellow femmes in the game. Read on below for what she had to say.
Upon being named one of the 2024 RADAR Philippines Artists by Spotify, could you share what this recognition means to you and your music career?
It’s obviously such an honor, and I have so much respect for the RADAR team. They’ve propelled many rising artists to greater heights, so I really can’t express enough of this excitement when I found out I was going to be a part of such an amazing roster.
Being part of the RADAR roster opens up numerous opportunities for emerging artists. What aspect of this program excites you the most?
I find it interesting to witness the growth of being part of the roster, and I’m genuinely eager to see everyone progress. Apart from myself, I would love to see other women in music succeed too—I think that’s the most exciting part.
What are your main goals for the upcoming year? Are there any particular milestones you’re aiming to achieve?
I don’t really set goals for myself. Every time I put out something or do something, it’s mainly for impact, you know? It’s not all about reaching a certain number, but I would love to have a bigger audience and reach more people. But particularly, it’s about touching more people with my music.
How do you hope to engage with listeners who may be discovering your music for the first time?
I just want to share myself as authentically as possible, like a ‘what you see is what you get’ type of thing.
What themes or feelings do you aim to convey through your music, and how do you think being part of this program will amplify that message?
One of my main goals and advocacies is to represent more women, and I feel like RADAR successfully achieves that because every year is so diverse. They don’t cater to just one genre or gender; I think they do the best job in showcasing different artists.
Facing the vast and competitive international music scene, what do you see as your unique advantage or offering as an artist from the Philippines?
I think it’s the fact that I want to see everyone win. It’s not a competition for me; it’s all for the country—whoever pops off, it’s always a winning moment.
Speaking of seeing women win, are there any international artists that you would want to collaborate with now that RADAR is setting you up for the global stage?
R&B women like SZA, Summer Walker, and Doja Cat.
Looking forward, how do you see your music evolving to continue making an impact on the global stage while staying true to your roots?
Whatever happens, happens. I don’t think I can really say that I don’t want to set a specific way that I am going to grow. I think that’s the most exciting part of it all—like you don’t know which direction or what kinds of people my music will reach. It happens in a way that is sometimes out of your control.
Photos courtesy of Spotify Philippines
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