Music|November 21, 2023 05:33 EST
Rising gospel star SEMAJE drops remake of Deitrick & Damita's "WatchMe Praise Him"
The Motor City’s artist on the rise, SEMAJE, is having an extremely good year and he’s quite thankful. Within the last 18 months, the dynamic vocalist has earned over 7 million digital streams, a rare feat for a new act. Almost 5 million of those streams are due to the popularity of his soulful ballad, “I Rely” (Maje Entertainment / Tyscot). Now, he’s dropped an exuberant new remake of Deitrick & Damita’s 2007 classic, “Watch Me Praise Him” (Maje Entertainment / Tyscot), that is now available on all digital music platforms. Listen Link: https://li.sten.to/watchmepraisehim
The young soul man brings a millennial funk to his catchy reprise of “Watch Me Praise Him.” The original featured Deitrick Haddon and his then-wife Damita handling the lead vocals, with backing by The Voices of Unity Choir. Here, SEMAJE sings both parts. Producer Shajuan Andrews programs the track with a new age zeal that is both current yet a nod to the spirit of the original. SEMAJE’S explosive tenor simmers, steams, and squalls throughout this lively praise break.
It comes on the heels of a stratospheric year that has seen SEMAJE appear on the BET cable television channel and to also open for Jonathan McReynolds’ protégé, DOE, on her sold-out “Clarity” concert tour. In addition, his neo-soul remake of Bill Withers’ 1977 cut “Lovely Day,” his original bop “You,” and his soul-stirring ballad, “I Rely,” have all charted on various Billboard magazine charts. The singer is adding the final touches on his first album which releases in 2024.