TiJay Staar

Artist Making Moves

When did you first get into music?

I can’t recall ever NOT being around music. I come from a musical family. My Godmother was a minister in a family. church, so she had me in church very early. I did my first solo at 3yrs old. Her Grandfather was the Pastor.

What genre of music do you perform and why?

I perform all types of music. I do covers. I can rap. I write Gospel, R&B, I love ballads. I create music, I think can be boundless.

And why did you choose that style of music?

I choose the music I can best express myself through. Or express passionately, to or for someone else. Like Gospel allows me to flow and be focused on interpretations of my soul. R&B cleanses my heart. When I create music, I listen to my whole body. I put my mind, body and soul into my craft.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

Well, at 15, my Cousin was a known up and coming Bay Area Rapper. He put me in the studio, it was my first taste of the business side of making music. And I realized then that my voice was good enough to be on a record!

How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting?

I feel I am more willing to interpret what I really feel. The maturity, the compassion, the lessons I have learned and have spoken with others about. I am more deliberate with messages I want to narrate or re iterate. I was under ground for a long time. Playing clubs around the Bay. I have learned to pour everything out on stage and in my sessions.

’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

I have met both, Mrs. Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Stevie and I were actually joking backstage one year, at The Concord Pavilion. We were hanging out w/ Narada Michael Walden and Stevie’s band. I had an orthotic boot on, due to a sport injury. He called everyone’s attention to us and made up this crazy story of HOW it happened! I stood there, for about 5 minutes, rubbing his belly in a burgundy velour sweatsuit. WE BOTH, LAUGHING SO HARD, TEARS WERE FLOWING!!!!

And standing next to Mrs. Franklin, I could FEEL royalty resonate from her frame, like a halogen light!! What surprised me is as we talked, we looked each other in the eye. We acknowledged each other sincerity and understanding of why we were both in the same place. She had flats on and I WAS TALLER THAN SHE!! I sang for her later that day. I FROZE!!! For about 8 secs, I FROZE!!! She and I were in a room, I’m singing to her, she brought a plate of food. As she began eating, I FROZE and we just locked eyes. Then, I realized: I AM LOOKING THE QUEEN OF SOUL IN HER EYES, I AM SERENADING HER AND SHE IS EATING SPAGHETTI!! I recovered, but it happened!! It’s a part of my HER story!!

I did a show at the Sound Factory (SF), back in the day, with my folks Paw Ray. That’s when THUG YUPPIE was pounding the airwaves! Teaming with KMEL’S DJ’s RICK AND RUSS, we were added to the show!! It was Fire! Ladies in cages, bottles poppin, people EVERYWHERE and I hit a note!!!! And those folks RUSHED THE STAGE!! Security grabs me, speeds me back upstairs and I look out an office window and the poor ladies were still dangling in the air.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

Passion. Because no matter what else I thought I wanted to do or pursue, I ALWAYS come back to music!! It’s in me! It fuels me!!

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas?

My compassion for people. My heart wants good for everybody. If I can sacrifice and tour to raise $$ for amazing causes, I will!! It’s my pleasure!! Children, the elderly’s care, I love philanthropy!! So, to surprise some fans with a gourmet home cooked meal, after a show, would be a blast!! A EXCLUSIVE merch package, a private serenade/meet and greets are the bomb!!!

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Being respected as a woman in this industry is tough. I have just kept pushing. I have to keep standing. I have to be an example of what I expect to be respected. I have lasting friendships and relationships that are woven in an out of the industry. They keep me motivated and encouraged that I am doing the right thing!

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

Yes, and to do something and have more nay sayers than supporters, in the beginning, it’s difficult to suffer also. Having to bypass certain things or events because $$ is low and you need to finish a song to get $$, is REAL. God has made a way and has made sure that going without, really wasn’t me going without. The doors that seemed closed, were just redirections. The no’s were people who didn’t know what they wanted.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The internet has DEFINITELY BROADENED OPTIONS. More platforms have been crated and extended, thus cresting more lucrative opportunities Helping to establish relationships with the most unlikely similar people!

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

Created competition. There should be room for everybody. Hyping unwarranted beefs, uproars and demeaning situations for sales. The elements of the beauty of music has been lost and buried under congested beats and watered down and auto tuned vocals, given with no effort of intended perfection, inflection or passion.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Bad Mama Jamma- Carl Calrton (I was a competitive athlete for 18 years. This was my hype song before the 100m. I went from listening to this on a cassette player to listening on an iPod)

Hotter Than July- Stevie Wonder (vocal game changer for me) My Prerogative Bobby Brown (this cassette album was gift from my Dad, one year. Played it till it popped) Lalah Hathaway- Lalah Hathaway (found her Dads album in my Mom’s closet, and first heard- More Than You’ll Ever Know and was amazed how beautiful her voice was and she was someone I could mimic. Until she found her chord).

Tell us about your current project.

I released a new SINGLE- NO PRESSURE (3/23/21), working on a couple of tv shows (The Harmony Process and Night Groove TV), working on new music- COMING SOON.

What is the best advice you have received?

Never give up!! The Best Is Yet To Come

What’s next for you?

Hope to be collaborating more, possibly get a part in a film or video

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

TiJay Staar (FB)

TiJay Staar (OFFICIAL) YOUTUBE

www.reverbnation.com/tijaystaar

Spotify/DEEZER/TIDAL/AMAZON/PANDORA