Jeni Fujita, Letting Her Light Shine

As I sat watched the Grammy’s, I thought of the very gifted Jeni Fujita. Jeni Fujita was nominated for a Grammy years ago although; she has just released her first solo album. Jeni has a diverse and amazing voice and is most known for singing on the track Guantanamera with Wyclef Jean. Jeni took the time to speak with me regarding her new solo project, This Little Light of Mine
CM: How do you feel knowing that you have a Grammy nomination under your belt before your first solo album?
Jeni: I kind of feel like lucky on one hand and then like it is supposed to be like this. I am actually supposed to be winning a Grammy. It has taken me almost a decade to put out an album. I missed the deadline for the Grammy’s this year, but there is still next year. I have big aspirations to at the very least be nominated for the 2010 Grammy’s.
CM: I began by asking who is Jeni Fujita?
Jeni: I am a spirit, I am a channel for inspiration, I am a mom and a writer and I am a woman that is here on a mission to bring inspiration to people. I am a singer however that does not define me. By me being able to be an inspiration, I am able to use my gift to sing as a way to inspire and encourage people.
CM: Where did you get the title of your debut album?
Jeni: The title sums up my personal journey with music and also my journey of self-discovery. Discovering who I am and what makes me special. When I had my solo deal, I was too different and did not fit into any mold. This little light of mine is about not be afraid to let it shine.
CM: Over the last couple of years, what has evolved the most about you?
Jeni: My drive for in and around music. My desire to be an artist has come back. An artist that other people know of has returned. My determination to see that through and manifest that desire. My belief that it is happening right now. When I first began my career, I had vocal nodes. I spent a lot of time chanting. I chanted and chanted a lot. I had to go on vocal rest and then speech therapy. In that process I learned to meditate. I had a vision of working with Lauren Hill and I was able to manifest that vision. I had said that if I got my voice back, then I would use it. I am now able to use my voice to inspire and uplift. I am stronger spiritually than I was then. I have my drive and determination to be an artist that other people know. I have evolved.
CM: What can we expect from the album?
Jeni: You can expect some good mid-tempo, soulful inspirational songs that come from some of my personal experiences some of my observations of others. I hope that people are able to relate to some of the songs if not more. I feel that No Separation represents me the most. That song came about during Ramadan 2005. I was studying Islam and was practicing my own version of the prayers. I was studying and I was praying and I was fasting. That song is a true revelation of what was going on for me. I realized that any love that I had for anyone outside of myself, (a long distance relationship, God, The Universe) isn’t any different than the love I have inside me. …. That the love is abundant and endless. The next realization was that there is an overflowing supply of this love and resources and that there is enough for everyone…which is where the line “My belief in shortages no longer exists” came from. It was actually a pretty life changing moment for me.
CM: Who all have you worked with?
Jeni: I am most recently working with Japanese producer named Yuma. We have a track out now that is currently #2 on the I-Tune dance charts in Japan The Fugees, John Forte’, Wyclef, Lauryn Hill, Canibus, Kymani Marley, Amy Whinehouse, Joss Stone, I am on a track with Everlast on the Big Daddy Soudntrack. I have toured with Wyclef on his world tour for The Carnival. I was on the Pink Misunderstood Tour and Tamia’s Officially Missing You Tour also.
CM: Who do you desire to work with?
Jeni: I really like a lot of what Wil-I-Am, from The Black Eyed Peas is doing. I think he needs some Jeni Fujita up on the next album, Santogold, and looking forward to working with John Forte’ again. I’d like to do some more work with Monday Michiru, an amazing singer, and saxophonist and composer Tyrone Smith Jr. Those are the main people that I am scheduled to work with.
CM: What other projects are on the horizon for you?
Jeni: There is a label in Japan that I have been working with. We were invited by the Apple store in Tokyo/Japan to perform our dance single “I Am The Light” and were really well received. The song and the album did so well, that the label wants to do a solo project with me. And of course I am going to continue to push this album on itunes at:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=299767942&s=143441
Jeni Fujita’s Album This Little Light of Mine is available at iTunes, Amazon.com, Napster. For booking information contact Bridgett Lindsey at tllentertainment@gmail.com. You can also visit Jeni at www.myspace.com/jenifujita and youtube.com/jenifujita
Thank you for your time and I wish you success in all of your endeavors.