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De La Soul sang the words, "me, myself and I" in the '80s, then Beyoncé made it the women's anthem in 2003, and now it has been remixed and made into hip-hop personifi ed - Selfmeyi.
"It just means be yourself; be an individual in this world where everybody's copying and doing something that's already been done," he explains.
A Detroit native, Selfmeyi was forced at a young age to migrate between the city and the suburbs after his parents divorced. The experience enabled him to experience a world of new and diverse cultures. The exposure to another side of life allowed him to learn to view the world with an open mind.
The ability to quickly adapt and venture out of his comfort zone to try new things trickled down into his music. With a look that screams neo soul and a swagger that points straight to hip-hop, Selfmeyi rejects being pigeonholed as yet another cookie-cutter act. Showcasing a style with a hint of old school, sprinkled with twist of alternative rock, Selfmeyi creates a sound that's undeniably different.
The release of his second CD, Self-Identity, has taken his musical journey into an unconventional arena. Selfmeyi has garnered a tremendous amount of success by touring local beauty shops and doing live performances to promote his album. His off-the-cuff promotional savvy landed him a role as himself in the hit stage play, Drama in the Shop, and a performance at this past summer's White Party at Chene Park.
As an artist, writer and businessman, Selfmeyi fi nds tremendous satisfaction in the hustle and welcomes the challenge of pushing himself to the max.
"I try to look at everything from an optimistic and positive point of view," he states. "You get out of it what you put into it. If you do you with the same type of confi dence that somebody else does anything else, people will respect it."- janaya black - Rolling Out Magazine
by Lester Holmes
Don’t be surprised if the next time you go to the barbershop or the beauty salon if you see a free concert.
For the past several weeks, Demar Jackson better known as Selfmeyi has taken the unusual yet innovative route of touring the “hair circuit” by performing in various barbershops and hair salons in the area. “For the most part, I’m like every other MC trying to tell his story, but the difference is the way I tell it,” said Selfmeyi who came up with his name when he decided to embark on a solo career.
Beyond performing for the crowds getting a line-up or relaxer, Selfmeyi has performed during the African-American Festival in Hart Plaza and alongside KRS-ONE recently at Wayne State University. Selfmeyi also is receiving local radio airplay for his remix of NeYo’s hit “Sexy Love.” He plans to release a new album early 2007.
Selfmeyi describes his style as “Urban Suburban” which he developed from living in Detroit and Ypsilanti. On his debut album called Self Entitled you will hear influences from rock, alternative, country and pop in his hip-hop.
“So while everyone else is gangsta or the biggest drug lord, I’m not afraid to be myself and glorify my life experiences. I’m just an artist. I make music from my heart and it appeals to the masses.” | RDW - Real Detroit Weekly
"...Lyricist: Recording artist
Selfmeyi conveyed an artistic
self portrait through rhyme of
his life growing up in Detroit.
His lyrics relay inspiration to
the minds of youth struggling
to overcome circumstance...."
by Howard Finley - Waves NewsLetter
Discography
Self-Titled - LP
Self - Identity - LP
Photos
Bio
How does one define self? It’s said that everyone’s life is a story to be told. Although that may be true, how many can tell it set against the backdrop of rhythmic bliss. With jazz and funk. Rock and soul. Much like his song, Painter MC, Selfmeyi paints a masterpiece on the canvas of his convoluted life. It’s a story of joy and pain, triumph and failure. Born Damar Jackson in Detroit Michigan, he did not have a normal childhood. His Mother anchored by her faith kept him and his siblings in the church. She separated from his father when he was 8 years old, and uprooted them from the surrounding they had become accustom. Hoping to provide them a better education, and shield them from the pitfalls and trapping of big city life, she moved them to Taylor, Michigan. It was here that he was first introduced to a different culture. The children here played, talked, and even walked different. But Selfmeyi soon realized his new friends shared the same problems as his city friends. They had money problems too, and their kids acted out as well. Then tragedy struck. His father, who was an intricate part of his life, passed away. With his mind whirling out of control, confused, lost, and bewildered, with a feeling of complete betrayal, the family was uprooted yet again. This time even further from the city, to rural Ypsilanti. He was now like a fish out of water. He had no one to turn too.
Struggling with his own thoughts, Self did whatever he could to stay positive. He began to write down his thoughts. He documented his life, which gave it order. He began to express himself through music. Out of chaos came calm, adversity, and enlightenment. Now, Selfmeyi is ready for the world. Telling his story through his music, the sophomore album, Self-Identity, is a statement about his life. It is the beginning of a movement he dubs as Urban Suburban. A mixture of the city life he came from and the rural life he was raised in.
From this movement, Selfmeyi formed an alliance called the GreyKyds, which consist of group of "Urban Suburbanites" that embraces the diversity of life. The GreyKyds refuse to be trapped into the stereotypes or boxes that society tries to place you in. GreyKyds defy the odds and bring creativity to an industry that lacks individuality. Selfmeyi and the GreyKyds represent a movement to promote originality, acceptance, and self-reliance.
"Can't change what I am to please ya" ------- Selfmeyi & The GreyKyds
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