This Chicago native is a burgeoning music superstar who is also a senior radio major at Columbia College Chicago (graduating this December) and a part-time radio personality for urban radio station 107.5 WGCI. Demi, who has been singing since she was seven years old, is currently working on her EP, “Demi Neutron: Under the Influence,” set to be released this summer.
“This is really just an introduction to the album,” she says of the six-song compilation. “[The album] is really something different. I just released the new song ‘Wonderland,’ and I’m working on a music video for that. It’s out of this galaxy into outer space. My music is fresh and new, like nothing you’ve ever heard before.”
In an industry where everyone attests to being different from the rest, Demi says that she still sees originality in her musical peers, and that it’s important to stay true to yourself to avoid falling into the mold.
“I do think there is still a sense of originality with the artists who are out,” she says. “There is still some originality out there. It’s more so about looking at what people are doing, but not being influenced by it. I just had a conversation with one my of music peers the other day; she was saying that there’s a difference between being influenced by something and being inspired by something and just plain old copycatting. I think you can be inspired by certain things, but you have to use your own creativeness with it and maybe even have other people who do that for a living to help you come up with those new ideas [to make sure you’re not doing what everyone else is doing].”
And paving her own lane is something Demi knows all about. There aren’t too many college students who can say they work at a mainstream radio station while pursuing a music career and a degree (which she credits to her good time management skills. “I know e
verything in advance,” she says. “I’m even planning my schedule when I’m sleep”).
Although she is making pretty impressive strides in her career and school life, one of the things Demi says she really is proud of is her dedication to giving back.
“I really enjoy going out to do the speaking engagements where I get to go out to schools and talk to the students,” she says. “I think it’s important that they see someone who is as young as I am doing as much as I am and still in school. I like to inspire those who are younger than me that anything is possible. I’m not at the pinnacle of where I would like to be as an artist or radio personality; I’m not superstar status just yet, but I do think that I have enough to offer and to give to those who aspire to do what I’m doing—to give them some kind of guidance rather than none at all. They don’t know where to start at all. I can at least give them my story and advice so that we all can make it.”
When it comes to her ultimate career goals, Demi says that she is focusing on building her brand—not just one particular aspect of her talents. “I look at all of the things that I’m doing as branding the Demi Lobo name. The real way to make money and the way to be successful in this business is to wear multiple hats. So I’m taking the brand of Demi Lobo and going on the road with it, just basically doing everything I can and seeing how many people I can touch. There really is no ultimate goal. Success is a journey, not a destination.”
And as one last piece of advice to those who are aspiring to inspire just like Demi: “I always say to reach for the moon, and if you fall short, at least you’ll land amongst the stars. I say that because it’s true. You have to really just reach out, keep on going and never give up. And even if you don’t make it to where you thought you would, you still gave it a try. Just try everything and reach for your goals.”
Check out DemiLobo.com to learn more about Demi and follow her on Twitter @DemiLobo.
*Watch Demi's her video for "House Party," featuring former "Bad Girl's Club" cast member Tiffany Davis.
