Emjay

Marie-Josée Riel, known professionally as Emjay, is a Canadian Eurodance musician born on December 9, 1974, in Ontario. Her career in music began by fronting a local band in Ottawa for several years. In 1994, she embarked on a solo project, culminating in a recording contract that initiated her journey as a recording artist. Over the subsequent years, Emjay released numerous singles and one studio album, establishing her presence in the Eurodance genre.

The year 1995 marked a significant milestone with the release of her album “In Your Arms.” This album featured several tracks that gained chart recognition, including “Sound of My Heartbeat” (1994) which reached number 14 on the Canadian Dance Chart, “Fascinated” (1995) reaching number 10, and “Flying to the Moon” (1995) which peaked at number 4. Her work continued to evolve, and in 2000, she received a Juno Award nomination for Best Dance Recording for her single “Over and Over,” reflecting industry acknowledgment of her musical contributions.

After a period of hiatus from original releases, Emjay announced a new single in July 2018, marking her first new original music in nearly two decades. She maintains an active presence, performing occasionally in various nightclubs across Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. Her career spans from the late 1980s through the 1990s and into the 2000s, with a resurgence in the late 2010s to the present, continuing to produce and perform music within the Eurodance framework. In 2024, she collaborated with Samus Jay on the release “Run Away,” further extending her discography.