Dakota Lee Embracing Her Individuality : Interview

Two years ago, Dakota Lee was just a tween from Kimberley who loved to dance. Forward to 2022 and the youngster is now represented by 33 and Me Talent Agency and has worked with leading names in the industry.

She’s walked the runway at the Northern Cape Fusion Weekend, and has just released her debut single Jealous.

Dakota did all this at a tender age, while still trying to figure out who she is. As part of her self-exploration process, she was harassed and intimidated by green-eyed trolls, who sought to belittle, demean and break her down.

But the multi-talented performer would have none of it, instead channeling all of her negative emotions into a song.

She says, “Writing ‘Jealous’ was very personal for me. I felt like I was being personally judged and I found it hard to make friends.

“Many people who didn’t even know me formed their own opinions of me.”

The singer was a contestant in the International Arts Talent Showcase (IATS) in 2019, where she received a call back to perform at the International Modeling and Talent Association Convention (IMTA) in New York in 2020. Due to COVID, all contestants scheduled to visit New York, were grounded because of the travel ban.

The fledgling songwriter sings about jealous teens writing hurtful remarks about her on bathroom doors and posting negative comments on social media.

She had to endure things like her lunch being kicked out at school and body shaming.

Her aim with this song is to highlight that jealousy is a toxic emotion and that youngsters are constantly being bombarded by messages about how they should look or act in order to be accepted by society.

Impulse Africa Magazine Team recently caught up with the rising pop star after the release of her debut single.   

• Briefly tell us about yourself?

I am 14 years old I am from Kimberley in the Northern Cape. I live with my parents and my little brother. I am passionate about the Arts. I am a dancer, singer and aspiring actress. 

I love performing and being on stage. Dance is my first love.  I also love music and writing songs as well as drawing and painting.

• How would you describe your music sound/genre?

Pop/RnB

• How did you decide on which genre to take?

I am still exploring different genres but since my song ‘Jealous’ is my first original song, I knew that I needed to create something that would appeal to the teenage market.

I wanted a catchy, upbeat melody and decided to do a pop song.

• Where do you draw inspiration from as a creator?

I draw inspiration from my own experiences, from things happening in day to day life and from my favourite local artist, lordkez. She inspires me to pursue my love for music and see where it takes me.

ALSO READ: lordkez Is Forging Her Own Path: Interview

• What inspired your debut single Jealous? 

Jealous is very personal. I had a really hard time at school. Kids made fun about the way I looked, my skin colour, my hair, some kids even created a chat group on WhatsApp where I was discussed, called names and made fun of. I had a hard time fitting in and making real friends.

I was always ‘’too loud’’ or ‘’too this’’ or ‘’too that’’, but I eventually realized that I shouldn’t have to change who I am, to fit in, and that no matter what you do, or don’t do, some people are just jealous.

It is because of this toxic emotion that they try to make themselves feel better, at the expense of others. It was a hurtful time, which created a lot of self-doubt and insecurity. 

There were things written about me on the bathroom doors, this is one of the things I sing about in my song. I decided to channel all the sad and hurtful feelings and create something positive, and that’s how ‘Jealous’ was born.

• With this being your debut single what are you hoping to achieve with this song?

Firstly, I hope to send a strong message to other young people, that they shouldn’t let the opinions of others, define who they are. Being a teenager is a really scary and difficult time.

You are trying to figure out who you are, you are going through so many changes and then you still have to deal with peoples’ opinions of you. Usually the ones who have the most to say, don’t even really know you.

You have to tick the box to be able to ‘’hang with the in crowd’.  I’d like my song to inspire others to believe in themselves and to know that it’s okay to be different.  In terms of the music industry, I hope that my song makes some waves, so I can put my name out there and that people like my song and want to hear more of my music.

• 2020 was a year like none of us have ever experienced. How did the pandemic change you or influence your decisions going forward?

I actually started writing Jealous in 2020. Being in lockdown and not able to go to school, or ballet, gave me the opportunity to do a lot of thinking. I had so much time on my hands.

I think lockdown was good for me in that I was away from the people and places that affected me negatively.  I became more comfortable with myself, in my own space and my own energy and I got to know myself better.

I guess you could say I realised my worth.  Also, the pandemic has definitely influenced me and my decisions. I lost somebody I loved very much and her death made me see that we really only get one shot in life and we need to make the most of it.

• Any upcoming projects you are currently working on? And what can your fans expect this year.

I have written a few more songs and I hope to release an EP later in the year.

• Have you ever doubted yourself? And how did you take care of your wellbeing during that time?

Yes I have definitely doubted myself, but my mother always reminds me about the importance of positive self-talk. How you think about, and how you see yourself, becomes your reality.

So when I find myself doubting myself or my abilities, I remember everything she says to me.

• Balancing music, dancing and your other talents how have you been able to juggle everything?

It’s not always easy and there are days that I’m really tired, but I enjoy the things I do, so that pushes me to keep going. Routine and time management is also very important in our house, because we all have busy schedules.

• Three things people do not know about you?

I love the stage and the camera, but I am actually a very shy person

I talk to myself when I’m alone

I have a weird sense of humour that nobody understands most of the time

• What are you most grateful for right now?

I am most grateful to have my family and to be alive after a car accident a few months ago