ARTIST INTERVIEW: DeDe Lopez

Featured on The Compassion Project: Songs for Animal, Human, and Earth Justice

Swedish pop icon DeDe Lopez has built a dynamic career rooted in fearless expression, genre-defying creativity, and global impact. From opening for Michael Jackson to collaborating with legends like Pras Michel and MC Lyte, DeDe’s path is as bold as her sound. Now, she joins The Compassion Project: Songs for Animal, Human, and Earth Justice with her electrifying track “Universal Law” — a powerful anthem about trusting your voice, living authentically, and standing up for what matters. In this exclusive interview, DeDe reflects on her musical journey, creative process, and the deep inspiration behind her newest work.

Was there something or someone who was the "catalyst" for you to go into music? Tell us about it. I grew up listening to a wide range of artists — from Barry White and Michael Jackson to Chaka Khan. But it was the hip-hop scene in the '80s and '90s that really hit me deeply. Artists like Stetsasonic, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, Public Enemy, N.W.A, and later on, Eminem — they all had a big impact on me. I was drawn to both West Coast and East Coast sounds, and I’ve always had a very broad musical taste. When Michael Jackson came along, his way of combining powerful vocals with dance performance had a huge influence on me as an artist. That blend of movement and music really shaped the way I performed on stage.

Let’s get this out of the way. What is the craziest thing that has ever happened in your music career? Oh, I’ve experienced a lot of crazy moments in my career! But some of the fun ones stand out. One was when Father MC called me up and said he wanted to collaborate with me in the studio. At first, I thought it was a prank, so I actually hung up on him! But then he called back — and it turned out it was very real. Luckily, I didn’t miss that opportunity — we ended up recording two tracks together. I haven’t really been involved in any scandals, but of course, sometimes things happen on stage — like the power going out or the fire alarm going off during a show. You just have to stay cool and find a way to keep the show going.

What has been the highlight of your music path? It’s hard to pick just one highlight, but two moments really stand out. One was when I got the call from Michael Jackson’s team, asking if I wanted to be the opening act for his show. That was completely surreal — to even be considered for something like that was such an honor.

Another very special moment was in 1997, when Pras Michel from The Fugees called and asked if I wanted to perform with him at the MTV Music Awards in Milan. At the time, he wanted me to stand in for another artist, and I told him, ‘Call me when you have a song for us to do together.’ Instead, he invited me to the event as his guest. While I was there, I met the artists who accepted after I had turned it down — Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child! They were so sweet and said to me, ‘Silly girl, you turned this down?’ It was such a fun memory.

And the story didn’t end there — Pras remembered what I had said. In 2007, he called me again, this time with music of our own. We ended up recording two tracks together — Turn You On and I Want It Bad — and we toured with them for two years. That whole journey is something I’ll always be proud of.

How do you approach songwriting or what is your creative process like? I usually write with co-writers and collaborators, so the process can vary a lot. Honestly, the songs just come — it’s hard to explain exactly how. I get inspiration from everything in life. When I really start writing, it’s like a channel opens up and the words and melodies just flow out. It can be everyday life, events, relationships, or stories from other people’s lives. A lot of my songs are based on real experiences. I definitely go into a flow state when I’m writing, and that’s when the magic happens.

Do you have a new release? My song Universal Law is on The Compassion Project: Songs for Animals, Humans, and Earth Justice. I'm also releasing a new single called Palms featuring DJ Paradise very soon. I’ll also be releasing new songs in fall 2025 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of my debut album TBA (Totally Bombastic Anecdotes).

If you could share the stage or a song session with an artist, who would it be?Actually, I’ve already had the chance to share the stage and studio with some of my biggest idols. I was the opening act for Michael Jackson — which was an unbelievable experience. I’ve also collaborated with MC Lyte, Father MC, and Pras Michel from The Fugees.

I’ve also worked a lot with Max Martin on my earlier albums — we did several songs together, including My Lover and Get To You. He is not only an incredible songwriter, but also a great singer — he actually sings on one of my tracks. (And of course, Max Martin has written for some of the world’s biggest stars, like Britney Spears, Katy Perry, The Weeknd, Justin Timberlake, Pink, and many more.)

As for who I’d love to collaborate with today — I really like Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, and Jason Derulo. They are doing great things and it would be a lot of fun to work with them.

For fans who have never heard your music, how would you describe your sound? It really depends which of my songs you listen to, because I’ve been releasing music since the early ’90s. I was actually part of creating the Cheiron sound — the style that Max Martin helped shape — so the songs I did with him had that exact vibe. We were right there at the start of that whole era with artists like *NSYNC and Britney Spears.

But of course, I’ve evolved a lot over the years. Today, my sound is broader — still rooted in pop, but with a strong influence from soul and R&B, and a modern edge. I love blending catchy hooks with a melodic groove and personal lyrics. So my music has grown with me, and I think that’s what keeps it exciting.

What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, producing...something else? It’s hard to pick just one favorite part, because I truly love the whole process — from writing and creating music to performing it live. I enjoy being in the studio, but I also love building a full show and connecting with the audience on stage. There’s something magical about that energy exchange.

I also DJ quite a lot, and sometimes I combine it with my performances — which gives me a totally different way of expressing myself musically. Traveling, meeting people, seeing how music brings everyone together... that’s definitely one of the biggest joys of being an artist.

When you are not doing music, what else do you enjoy doing? When I’m not doing music, I really enjoy spending time with my family and especially my son. Family and close friends mean everything to me. I also work out a lot — I go to the gym about six times a week and I love daily power walks. Staying active gives me energy and balance.

I also travel quite a bit, and sometimes I just enjoy slowing down — resting, watching a good film, or simply enjoying life in the sun. And depending on the season and where I am, I also love to go skiing.

What is coming up in the future for you? There’s a lot coming up for me! Right now, I’m planning my 30th anniversary celebration — it’s been 30 years since my first album, which was released in October 1995. So this fall, I’ll be marking that milestone in a special way.

I’m also very excited because I’ve written my memoir, and I just signed a publishing deal. The book will be released first in Swedish, sometime in the spring of 2026. So there are many exciting projects ahead — both in music and beyond!

Anything else you’d like fans to know? I’m primarily a singer and songwriter — a main artist with my own career. Early on, I started working with Dr. Alban between 1988 and 1991, and I was part of his iconic music videos like Hello Africa and No Coke.

Since then, I’ve focused on my solo career, but in recent years, I’ve been working with him again on the side, this time as a DJ and backing vocalist for his bigger shows and festivals around the world. It’s been amazing to combine my own projects with touring and performing alongside him.

So, I’m an artist who sings, writes songs, DJs — I get to do it all, and I’m very grateful for the opportunities to keep growing and sharing music globally.

About the Artist DeDe Lopez is an internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter with over 500,000 albums sold. She has performed on some of the world’s most iconic stages, including two sold-out shows at Tokyo Dome, and remains the only Swedish artist to open for Michael Jackson in Gothenburg. She also opened for 50 Cent in Helsinki and has collaborated with an impressive list of producers including Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson, and Derek Bramble.

Her 2007 hit Turn You On featuring Pras Michel of The Fugees reached No. 2 on the Swedish charts, and her 2018 release Dare to Change the World featuring MC Lyte climbed to No. 5 on the U.S. Top 20. With a career defined by bold creativity and global influence, DeDe continues to use her music to inspire empowerment and change.

🎧 Website | Spotify | YouTube

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