Befordview’s next pop duo stars rising to the top

Tumelo Mthethwa

From a not so glamorous upbringing in KZN, to performing on the glitzy stages of Johannesburg, sisters Deme and Niqi Harris are taking the music industry by storm.

The sisters can sing and dance, are in their early twenties and are now based in Bedfordview.

They recently released their single titled You and Me. It was produced by Donovan Da Do Leon from Universal Music Group and co-produced by Durban’s Wolfpack member as well as Sony Africa signed artist and producer, Deemo.

The girls call themselves De Monique, which is a combination of both their names.

It is a name they came up with five years ago while they were still at school.

“We grew up in a neighbourhood that was riddled with gangsters, drugs, school drop-outs and pregnant teens. Music was an escape for us and it saved our lives,” recalled Niqi.

“Our circumstances didn’t stop us from dreaming. We always knew we’d be more,” added Deme.

The sisters are in sync; they seem to know what the other is thinking and manage to complete each other’s sentences.

It is this same harmonisation that comes across in their music.

“Pop culture is what we represent; we bring something different,” said Demi.

“Pop artists can’t be boxed,” added Niqi.

Their music is a combination of pop and dance elements.

With their single, they wanted to fuse local and international music trends.

“We also wanted our single to talk about being happy and enjoying your relationship because most people are singing about heartbreak,” explained Deme.

A few years ago, while they were in KZN, the sisters rose to fame after recording a demo.

The song on the demo was play-listed and hit number one on the music charts.

Hard work in marketing their brand, yielded results. They were selected to be the opening acts for international rapper Pitbull, while sharing the stage with big names in the South African music industry.

Doors began opening for them and it seemed the sky was the limit. Their success was, however, short-lived when a tragedy hit their family in December 2015.

“When our dad fell ill we had to decide to take a break and spend time with him. We don’t regret our decision.”

Unfortunately, their father died.

“It was very hard, but knowing it was coming, prepared us in a way,” a sad Deme stated.

“Yet at the time it happened, it was unexpected. It hit home in many ways,” added Niqi.

After mourning their dad, the sisters decided to move to Johannesburg and to pick up the pieces of their music career.

Their father, who was also a musician, was initially against his daughters pursuing music as a career but, before his passing, gave his blessing to their musical dream.

“He told us to be amazing and encouraged us to fulfil our dream. We learnt so much from him,” pointed out Deme.

“He played a number of instruments. At first we never understood why he never wanted us to pursue music but, once we were in the industry, we understood why,” said Niqi.

“It’s a cut throat industry – you have to be very careful,” added Deme.

They both agree that coming back into the industry means they have to work twice as hard.

However, the two sisters are now wiser. Thanks to their dad, their underprivileged upbringing has also played a role in influencing their character.

“Our background has shaped us. It’s prepared us for what we’re doing. We can see bad news from a mile away. People are so hungry for success and fame that they end up being exploited.”

It is the story of their difficult background that they use to inspire others.

They were involved in a campaign in partnership with the Office of the Premier in KZN called ‘De Monique Wow I feel Great behavioural campaign.’

“We went to various schools to talk to students. We know what it takes to succeed. We show them how to succeed after coming from nothing,” pointed out Niqi.

“People blame their background. We had to encourage ourselves. We had no one to do it for us. Our neighbours would laugh at us when we shared our dream, but that didn’t stop us,” pointed out Deme.

The two agree that the youth of today feel entitled.

“We are trying to encourage the youth that where you come from should not determine where you’re going or the outcome of your future because success is a choice,” Niqi explained.

They are inspired by Beyonce, Leona Lewis, Lira and Nhlanhla Nciza who are doing well both in South Africa and internationally.

In five years’ time Niqi wants the duo to be working internationally.

“I want us to earn respect as women of worth who have inspired others, but we also want to be a force to be reckoned with. Maybe we will also have a clothing line.”

Deme wants to collaborate with the best in the international and South African music scene.

“I’d love for us to collabo with Kwesta, Pitbull, Cassper, Aka and international producer Amadeus.”

What do they get up to in their spare time?

“What spare time? We eat, sleep and breathe music,” Niqi jokingly pointed out.

“We do like going down to the coast or catching a movie,” she added.

The two are always in each other’s company and have no time for dating or marriage.

What makes them happy is succeeding, setting goals and achieving them – especially when people say they can’t -and of course good food, they add in unison.

What’s the one thing they want to be remembered by?

Niqi: “We are hard-working, grounded and want to impact the world.”

Deme: “We are the next biggest pop duo to come out of SA.”

You can follow the pop duo on their social media pages as @DeMoniqueMusic.

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