Emjay | en

Emjay (born Marie-Josée Riel on December 9, 1974) is a dance artist of French-Canadian decent. She originates from Rockland, just outside of Ottawa and had a series of dance hits throughout the 1990s. Her style of dance music was Euro Dance with high-energy techno beat and passionate female vocals. Her music was rather well-known to Canadian dance music fans.

Her passion for music began at age 12, with a 7 year stint singing as a backup vocalist with a local Ottawa band. She devoted virtually all her spare time practising the many different choreographs, along with aerobic training to ensure she was in top shape for her live performances of non-stop singing and dancing. Even at that young age, Emjay was willing to work hard and do what it took to attain her dream; to one day become a lead singer. The effort was well recognised; the band won 8 American Guild Awards. Still with the band in 1993, Emjay won first place as Pop Solo Artist at the American Guild Awards.

In 1994 she recorded a solo project, resulting in her first recording contract with Primus, and the song "Sound Of My Heartbeat", which charted at #7 on The Record's Dance chart. More singles followed, "Fascinated" (a cover of the 1986 hit by Company B) rose to #5, "Flying To The Moon" to #3, and her biggest success yet to come, "In Your Arms". In July 1995, she performed at the Théâtre du Forum in Montreal alongside Bananarama, Whigfield, Los Del Mar, BKS and others, in front of a 5000 capacity-crowd.

In August 1995, Emjay's first album, In Your Arms was released. This debut earned her five hit singles in Canada, and In Your Arms led to her first Juno for Best Dance Recording at the 26th Annual Juno Awards, on January 29, 1997, and a MuchMusic Video Award.

In November 1997 Emjay signed with Tycoon Records. Although a new album never appeared, her single "Over & Over" led to Emjay once again being nominated for Best Dance Recording at the Juno Awards. .