Juli Endee

Please tell us how you got started as a traditional musical singer and then later became an international star.

I really started as a dancer at three years of age and went on to become the cultural leader at boarding school. Later in my county [Nimbi County located in Liberia's North] I became the leader of the county's cultural troop. I went on to travel abroad, where I established my own dance company and returned more experienced to Liberia and decided to use culture as a medium of communication knowing that most of our people are illiterate. God has really blessed me because my first album to hit was in 2000 and from that period up to now it's 10 years I've been on the international stage.    

Not much is known about Liberia in China. How do you think you as a musical star can use your musical career to bridge that gap?

Well, I do not think the gap is wider than what it was, because I have visited China and performed there. I could see how the Chinese people embraced me and enjoyed my song Chica Chica. That was a great experience for me and I met a lot of Chinese that I am in communication with. I have a promoter in China. I think we can use the culture of China and Liberia to see how we are inter-related in the different aspects of culture. This is very important for people such as journalists, performers and musical artists who are going to China, to try and help to bridge the gap. I think we need to understand as Liberians and Africans who the Chinese are and how they were able to preserve their culture and still be one of the most famous countries in the world. I think Liberia needs to do the same.

When exactly did you visit China and what stood out for you during your performing visit?

I visited there in 2008 and what I like about China is the arts [and scale of things]. They do not just put two or three people on stage, they put up to 50 or more people on stage and I think this is wonderful and it's the rich part of the Chinese culture. Another thing I like is the way they build their stages and their infrastructure development. I hope we can learn from this and I hope we can learn from the way they [performers] train.  

What is the story behind your latest musical releases? 

My latest international releases are not really being marketed properly. They are, Jerker Jerker, and Konkonsah. Konkonsah is about how some people talk too much. They tear and bring others down because of envy and jealousy. I am trying to enlighten people's minds and show that you need to give some people the chance to grow and improve because this will be good for your country. When one citizen succeeds it will be in the interest of the entire country and so, do not tear down others but rather support them.

How did you get the title Culture Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia and what does the job entail?

I got it as an honor from the Liberian people in 1995 for promoting the culture of Liberia through my dress code, music, dance, attitude and discipline in term of culture - and for all of the research I have done [in this field]. It is an honorable title and not a political appointment. It makes me to feel that I can represent Liberia out there in terms of culture and I have been doing just that and have brought light to the nation. It is not a title that the government of Liberia pays me for.