Dhee: “I’ve reached a point in my life where I’m truly comfortable with who I am”

Naming your debut album Jackfruit—that spiky, prehistoric-looking fruit that could be used as a weapon if need be—takes a special kind of audacity, and the 26-year-old Sri Lankan-Aussie Dhee has that in spades. Stepdaughter of Indian music composer Santhosh Narayanan, the singer shot to fame with hits like Enjoy Enjaami and Rowdy Baby (from the 2018 Tamil movie Maari 2). Jackfruit is Dhee’s introduction to indie pop, and her work is as layered and surprising as the fruit it’s named after. Before you go all, “But who names an album after a fruit?” let me tell you—this is no ordinary fruit, and Dhee is no ordinary artist. 

“I had the album ready but couldn’t name it for a long time,” Dhee tells me. “But one day it hit me that I love jackfruit so much, and it represents so many beautiful memories for me. It’s just an intimidating looking fruit that’s sweet on the inside.”

Jackfruit is a deep dive into Dhee’s life, an exploration of her multicultural roots and her personal growth. It’s what she calls “diaristic,” featuring the very first song she ever wrote. Based on the stories her grandmother and mother would share from the Sri Lankan civil war, the album’s second track I Wear My Roots Like a Medal is a standout. “It is about feeling caught between two worlds and identities, and growing to accept and embrace everything that makes you who you are. It’s about the generations of people who’ve paved the way for me through their sacrifices,” she explains.

Growing up in western Sydney—a melting pot of multicultural and immigrant families—shaped Dhee in ways she’s still unravelling. She learnt hard work, honesty, and resilience from a young age. “I was one of those kids,” she tells me. “Growing up there definitely made me thick-skinned, more open, empathetic, and accepting, which also helps me in songwriting.”

Not for nothing, the grit she developed while coming of age continues to be her secret weapon. For someone who has a fair share of trolls, I ask Dhee how she manages to remain unfazed. “Sometimes, I try to educate myself and see what I can do better. Other times, I giggle and move on with my day,” she says. “You never really know what people are going through to make them say these things, so I just see it that way and leave it at that. I’ve reached a point in my life where I’m truly comfortable with who I am, and that’s not going to change because the Internet assumes something about me.”

Dhee’s idea of success is much more profound than racking up streams or going viral. It’s the messages from fans who say that her songs spoke to them, made them feel a certain way, or helped them get through a difficult time. “That is when I feel like my job here is done.” 

When we talk about the future, Dhee gets introspective. “If I were to write a letter to myself 10 years from now, I’d remind myself to always work with my whole heart and make sure I’m truly satisfied with what I’m doing,” she reflects. “I hope I’m at peace with myself and the people I love. And if these boxes aren’t ticked, then I’d need to reevaluate everything I am doing.”

There’s more to Dhee than meets the eye. She is a storyteller, and she’s out to make a difference. “This might sound corny, but I have always wanted to bring people together,” she admits. “I want people from where I come from—or anyone who’s felt like an outsider—to know that you can dream as big as you want, and more.” While the rest of us are still figuring out what fruit to pick from the grocery aisle, Dhee is out here turning her favourite fruit into a catchy album—giving us some ‘food’ for thought, both literally and figuratively. 

Dhee's listening to...

'Dedicated to You' by Ella Fitzgerald and The Mills Brothers

 

'Beef Rap' by MF DOOM

 

'Please Please Please' by Sabrina Carpenter

 

'My Baby Just Cares For Me' by Nina Simone

 

'Young Hearts Run Free' by Candi Staton

 

'In Agreement' by Lizzy McAlpine

 

'Fever' by Little Simz

 

'Strange' by Celeste

 

'HEATED' by Beyoncé

Lead image credit: Photos by Madhavan Palanisamy

This article originally appeared in Cosmo India's September-October print 2024 issue.

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