In an era where music genres are constantly blending and evolving, few artists manage to seamlessly merge their cultural roots with contemporary pop and R&B. SEJ, born Seige Lander, is doing just that. At just 24, the Trinidad and Tobago native is carving her own lane with a sound that reflects her Caribbean upbringing while appealing to global audiences.
A Voice Born in the Islands
SEJ’s musical journey began long before stepping into a recording studio. Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, with strong ties to Dominica and Barbados, her childhood was filled with music.
Like many Caribbean artists, SEJ faced the challenge of convincing her family that music was a viable career.
“I always wanted to have a music career, but you know with Caribbean parents – they want you to be a doctor or a lawyer. My dad is a surgeon,” she shares. Following the traditional path, she studied sciences in school, but music was always in her heart.
A Pandemic-Era Awakening
The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forced into introspection, SEJ decided to stop hesitating and fully commit to her passion. “I decided that I didn’t want to do anything that didn’t make me happy, so I started to sing and do a bunch of covers.”
On the set of his music video SEJ met Soca superstar, Machel Montano, and asked, “I really wanna do music. Do you think you can listen to me sing and tell me if I’m wasting my time?”
She sent him a few of her covers and waited for a call from him. To her surprise, Montano not only listened but also went to great lengths to encourage her. “He called me and said, ‘I had to walk like five miles to get reception just to call you, but I had to let you know that you have a voice and so much potential… you have something special.’”
Determined, SEJ took action. “As soon as the borders opened, I flew to Miami and hit a bunch of studios. I made a friend in one of the engineers, Hitmaka, who works with artists like Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj.” With his guidance, she learned the intricacies of songwriting. “It took me two days to finish my first song, but I forced myself to learn.”
Signing with Compound Entertainment
Her dedication paid off when her music reached Ne-Yo’s production company, Compound Entertainment. “They reached out and said they really liked my songs and were interested in working with me.” But before committing, they wanted to test her abilities. “They flew me to Las Vegas and gave me a song, asking me to write an open verse in three hours. It took me up until the last 10 minutes to finish it.”
Despite the pressure, SEJ delivered. “I recorded the song that day, and the next day, they told me they loved my verse and wanted me to be on the song even more.” That led to a production deal nearly two years ago, and she’s been working with them ever since.
She’s also worked with studios like Circle House and Bay Eight and even collaborated with the legendary production duo Stargate.
Crafting Her Unique Sound
SEJ is adamant about defining her own musical identity. “I know what I want my sound to be, but I was having a very hard time getting people to understand it.”
Her music blends pop, R&B, and Caribbean influences, sometimes even incorporating African drums and beats. “I like to fuse genres. I just find it fun.”
New Music and What’s Next
Following her debut single ‘Two Shots’, her upcoming song ‘Bad Man,’ is set to make a major impact. “It’s very Caribbean pop. The horns and beat are very Caribbean, but the topline, melody, and chorus are very pop.”
Industry insiders are already taking notice. “I played ‘Bad Man’ for Tidal and SoundCloud, and they were like, ‘Oh sht, you can really fck up the summer with this one!’”
While an album isn’t on the immediate horizon, she’s building momentum with singles. “I have enough songs for a whole album, but I want to grow my audience more before putting one out.”
Her journey is also taking her to the stage. “I’m doing a live performance at the end of April at a celebrity golf tournament that Ne-Yo is hosting. I’ll be performing ‘Two Shots,’ ‘Bad Man,’ and a cover song.”
The Road Ahead
As SEJ continues to grow her career, one thing is clear, this is just the beginning. “This year is my year! I really want to make waves.” And with her undeniable talent and determination, she’s well on her way to doing just that.
Keep your eye on SEJ!
