'Make Me Stronger' is the first single from DJeff's debut album, 'Soldier Ascension', which is due out on Tribe Records later this year. It's a warm, deep and beautifully soulful track riding on a mid-tempo groove that resists any easy pigeonholing. It may have been made in Luanda, capital of Angola, where Djeff is a DJ, producer and TV presenter, but this is not specifically 'Angolan' or 'African' or heaven forbid, World Music, but a sophisticated, cosmopolitan record that effortlessly incorporates elements of the music that Djeff has heard and been inspired by growing up in Portugal and Angola, and on his travels as a DJ.
The son of a Cape-Verdean father and an Angolan mother, Tiago Baros, aka Djeff, was born in 1984 and grew up in Portugal hearing artists such as Michael Jackson, Europe, Michael Bolton, and Bryan Adams alongside his father's collection of Kassav, Tabanka Jazz, Livity, Grace Evora and Eduardo Paim. But it was when he got into dance music, and especially house, inspired by DJs like Erick Morillo, that he began to bring his own diverse musical inspirations together.
In 2008 Djeff finished his degree in Graphic Arts & Design and decided to live in Luanda, where he has developed a unique position as the presenter of a weekly Music show, 'Made In Angola', able to report on developing musical trends while also pioneering and developing them himself.
Leslie Kisumuna is no stranger to the scene, a singer, actress, and model. She's started her artistic career as a theatre Actress with a history of art diploma in her pocket. One of her hit singles release on Offering Recordings by the name of Hillya titled 'I Know'. Her great artistic sensitivity, her multicultural spirit and eclecticism got her to experience a large range of musical genres from(R&B to Rap to Hip Hop to Pop to Rock, to African Music). Her amazing capacity of adaptation has allowed her to make a name for herself in France and Belgium. Leslie's is not only a singer, but talented writer with the capacity to arrange her own songs. Leslie has worked with multi platinum selling producer Guy Waku, Abel and Pegguy Tabu and Passi & Boddhi Satva to name but a few.
We can't wait to reveal more of Djeff's music, but for now we'll tease you with this single which comes with remixes from Teddy Douglas & Zepherin Saint.
Writing & Production
Written by Djeff & Leslie Kisumuna
Lyrics by Leslie Kisumuna, Armani Kombot-Naguemon
Produced by Djeff
Publishing: Ls Republicano, Tribe Records & Kazukuta Records
Remixes by Teddy Douglas & Zepherin Saint
Executive Producer Dean Zepherin
Artwork by Adam Gibbons