CRISTALE PHOTOGRAPHED BY AYO SAMA
SEIGFRIED
ISSUE 004 SPRING SEIGFRIED.CO
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Contents 4
Mychelle
10
Cristale
20 P-Nut
28
System Olympia
36
Bella Shmruda
38
5 Must See Music Videos of 2022
Mychelle
INTERVIEW BY PEDRIN EDU & SAMUEL ENI PHOTOS BY BALINT MARJAI
Hailing from East London, Mychelle is a rising talent in the UK music scene after spearheading an acclaimed debut offering. ‘Someone Who Knows’ is her exciting new second EP, releasing on Friday 20th May. We sat down with Mychelle, ahead of her debut headline show in The Lexington.
“I used to sing with my sisters a lot. There’s three of us and I’m the oldest, but it’s good because I got to be Beyonce. They had to accept that...I was really young.”
You have been raising a buzz in recent years.
started going down that route and then decided to
Have you been recognized in public yet?
go on to uni to pursue it properly.
I went to Carnaby Street a while ago and one of
Your EP ‘Closure’ is such a heartfelt, warm and
the girls that work there was like: Oh, I remember
colorful project. You’re really expressing yourself.
your headline shows behind the bookshelf, and it
You’re really letting letting go of, I would say
was in like, 2019. And then that same week as well,
your experiences with someone and yourself as
a guy in Pret came up to me to say he likes my
well. You go in and realising where you might
music. It takes a lot for someone to even come up
have gone wrong, where they went wrong. What
to you to tell you that they know of you and like
was the thought process behind the EP and what
your music. So I really appreciate it!
was it like making the record?
In case you don’t know Mychelle is an incredible
So I wrote the songs a few years before I started
singer, a talented guitarist and a great live
working on putting them out. Three of them were
performer. When did you start making music?
written around the same time. When I decided I wanted to do this project, they made sense to be
When I was really young, I used to sing with my
together. They were written around the same time
sisters a lot. There’s three of us, I’m the oldest. But
kind of relating to a similar theme. I was gonna put
it’s good because I got to be Beyonce. They had to
it out by myself, and I was just about to and then I
accept that.. I was really young.
met my manager, he saw me busking. So anyway,
I did start writing very early by myself, but we wrote
we started talking about like music and ended up
music with my best friend Laveau in primary school
working with him too putting the product together.
as well. At one point I decided that I wanted to do
It was a new experience for me. I’ve never even
music, as a career. I think when I went into college, I
worked with a producer properly before (talking
“I was gonna put out the songs from the debut EP by myself, and then I met my manager. He saw me busking.
about Charlie Jay Perry). It was incredible to see
Did you manage to get it in one take?
how a song comes together from just my guitars and vocals and builds into something big and
I think we did two. It was a nice experience. Very
layered.
different. I’m a very shy person and there were a lot of cameras and no audience. I feel like having
What would be your dream collaboration? If you
an audience makes me feel a bit safer.
could, US or UK, it doesn’t matter. What are you working on at the moment? I was thinking about that other day! I would want to do something very different musically, with
I’m focused on music and being better, you know,
someone you wouldn’t think I would collab with.
I feel like that’s just it. Every day, I’m trying to be better than I was yesterday. And it’s hard because
I heard you were on tour with Maverick Sabre,
sometimes you slip, but then it’s good because you
he’s a genius. What was that experience like for
always have something to work towards. That’s
you?
where I’m at right now.
I saw that he was going on tour the day he posted
I’ve always asked God for growth, even in moments
a flyer on Instagram and I said to my friend: ‘I really
when I’ve stepped up to be that it’s a journey. It’s
would love to go on tour with him.’ And then I
not like a definitive moment. That’s not how life
literally met my manager that day. The first thing
works.
he said to me: It looks like you’re going on the Mav tour. I couldn’t believe I was talking about it earlier
It can be just daunting and draining as well. Give
that day. I was so gassed!
yourself grace. Yes, you’ve messed up, you’re acknowledging it you’re aware of it. And now
You also got the opportunity to perform on TV.
just do the actions to be better.
What was that like for you and what did you take away from that?
Yeah, sometimes when I’ve slipped a bit, I’m like (reacts), and then I start to realize: Oh, yes. Okay,
Yeah, I really enjoyed the TV performance. That
I can plan my day out and be productive again. I
was a special day.
don’t know. I just kind of get excited now.
Cristale INTERVIEW BY SAMUEL ENI & PEDRIN EDU P H OTO S B Y AYO S A M A @ AYO _ S A M A
Introducing Cristale: Ascending 20-year-old multifaceted Brixton artist, has a very clear idea of the direction in which she wants to take her career.
What does being from Brixton mean to you?
was thigh-high, that made me do the sexy thing a little bit. (laughter) So when I’m there trying to do
“It’s home init, that’s all I know basically. That’s
‘Bong Bing’ and bending down and I’m like ‘Oh
why I don’t like going out. I was shocked to leave
shit I’m wearing a dress, do you know what I mean.
the country, going to Jamaica to shoot the ‘Bong
(laughter) That’s the only part that was different
Bing’ video. It was all long, it ain’t got nothing to
other than that it was hard.”
do with it’s from the choice at this age, when you’re younger and your mums like don’t go here or there
When’s the video looking to be released?
- that’s one thing but as I’ve grown older, I’ve tried but home is where the heart is.
“I have no idea soon though because the song is doing numbers, right now I think it’s been just over
What was it like in Jamaica, shooting the music
a week since it’s been out, it has 300k streams on
video for ‘Bong Bing’?
Spotify and that is mad.”
“Sick, I got bit by a mosquito though, I think I’m
During your younger years,
allergic to them. “
heavily into poetry. Heard you were a champion,
you were very
you were spinning man from like, years older Were you out there for long?
than you and higher years and all that stuff. And obviously you won two trophies, but they
“I was only out there for a week, should have been
wouldn’t give you the third trophy because it’d
out there for longer. I miss it already, we all went,
be a bit biased.
it was like one big family holiday. It was lit, I even went to a studio.”
“Who told you that? (laughter) They said that to me and they said to my mum, that we couldn’t give it
And the process of shooting a video out there.
for three years in a row, but I thought it’s because I
Would you say it’s different from over here?
messed up, because there’s a point in time where I paused and took the paper out to read one line.”
“It was kind of the same, but the only difference is I wore a dress for the first time in a video. I wore a dress that I would wear out, an off-white dress that
I don’t think so. Do you remember your first
thats me unconsciously showing my personality
poem?
through my music. So whenever I’m doing these things, it’s not even on purpose. The more content I
“Yeah, it’s called ‘What It’s Like To Be Young’,
give the people, the more reason they have to keep
and that’s what I’m calling my EP. I wrote poems
up with me, like what’s she doing next? I had done
from a young age, but that was the one I first
‘Militant’ and then ‘Bong Bing’
ever performed and won my first ever slam poetry competition with.”
It was ‘Militant’ that made me go viral on Tik Tok as well. Because of the whole dress-up thing. They
Obviously, fast forward now, Tiffany Calver
thought it was ‘Bridgerton’ and then they realised
1xtra freestyle Abbey Road Studios lineup is
it was ‘Militant’ and they were still paying attention.
strong. And I was talking about this with your mom and Katerina how your sound is so unique.
That wasn’t the first cypher you’ve been on
We couldn’t really compare you to any other
though, you did Charlie Sloth. Which cypher
artists. But more importantly, I feel like your
challenged you more creatively?
confidence when I was watching that video, your confidence was just outshining you were two-
“I would say Tiffany Calver, but only because I wrote
stepping you’re just flowing barring.
fresh bars for one part of it. But the rest of it, what I like to do in these cyphers, I give people a taste of
“It’s mad how that’s projected as confidence
my music that’s about to come out, so the majority
because I was letting the music take me because
of it is songs I’ve already got.”
I was nervous. and I was just getting over a cold. I was trying not to cough. I was trying to regulate my
What do you want out of rap? Where do you
breathing and everything while I was spitting bars.
want rap to take you?
So I just have to get into it and distract myself.” “It’s not even just rap I do, I sing, I had to teach But you were hitting pockets though. You were
myself. Music words I want them to take me to the
doing your thing. But it’s good that you’re very
moon, to a point in life where I’m big enough to
critical of yourself because you always want to
make a change that is positive enough to leave a
be better. And that’s a good thing. So how was
stamp but not just my stamp, a stamp for a positive
that process? Did her team reach out to yours?
change.”
“That was like a whole email chain thing. That’s all
I feel like a lot of the women are really pushing
that was and I was excited to do it, I would have
through, especially in the rap scene in the music
done it anyway regardless of who’s on the lineup
scene. They’re making a stamp for themselves,
because it’s Tiffany Calver she’s a lovely person,
in a field dominated by men. Why is it important
great personality, and everything and it was just like
for you to just stand out?
yeah great opportunity for myself. And the more of these things that I do, I’m just creating more and
“That stuff has been important to me since I was
more reasons for people to listen to me. Because
young because I played football. I was the only girl
as you are saying, rah like i’m doing the two-step,
playing football. I got scouted for Crystal Palace
when I was 14 but even before that when I was in primary school, it was always just me. Being in
That’s a great way to end a career.
those spaces in that environment taught me how
Who’s your team?
to set the bar for my temperament. Being a female, do you know what it is, that fact that I’m accepted
“Arsenal.”
by a lot of the males in the industry. That’s what I appreciate. Because they don’t have to, they can
Why?
just treat me as another girl that’s just trying to do the thing. And just begging it, you know, some men
“It’s more of a generational thing. You know, the
don’t like it when females occupy their space.”
first team that I was introduced to when I was in primary school, like my group of friends were either
It goes to show that there’s some decent people
Arsenal or Man United fans. Obviously Arsenal is
in this industry that just want you to succeed.
disappointing that’s why I’ve got so much heart. (laughter) When I finish uni I don’t know how but I
“It’s important to me to be, the fact that people
want to get back on the pitch.”
are associating me with a young, black, powerful wordsmith that’s coming in and you’re occupying
By God’s grace, still new to the game. What
the male space and doing these things. I wasn’t
has the industry taught you already so far? Just
searching for that but now that it’s found me,
setting values, and probably even just how you
I appreciate that title, because it’s hard to get
maneuver how you navigate the space?
even respected, to be respected in this industry at all. It’s hard to be respected as a woman, it’s
“Good stuff and bad stuff, the good stuff is that no
hard to be respected as a black woman, it’s hard
matter what happens, the music will always make
to be respected when you’re black, it’s hard to be
it worth it. All the trials and tribulations the music
respected as a musician. You know, creativity is
is what makes it worth it. Being able to put your
pretty much shunned upon unless it starts to make
feelings into a song, and then put the song out, and
money.
then people can relate to it. And it provides healing for communities to help people that are going
You mentioned football, Crystal Palace, what
through stuff. That’s what’s worth it, it taught me
position did you play?
like I’m actually a person now, a person that people look to, they check in on my stuff, like my posts and
“I got scouted as a goalkeeper!”
care about what i’m into. That’s what being in this game has taught me.”
Wow. Yeah, I would not have guessed that. Is that weird to you? Do you still get surprised “Worked my way forward and when I finished
by that?
playing football, I stopped playing because of sixth form. I stopped when I got to striker, so I worked
“The magnitude of people that I can influence is
my way from goal and then i was a defender for a
weird to me, but the fact that I can influence is not.
bit and then I was midfielder and then both sides
I’ve been doing that since I was in school. They had
and then striker.”
an anger management class, for just young black
girls that may or may not know how to channel their
other day, it came from somewhere I expected but
energy. I went from being in it - to hosting it. From
didn’t expect it. And it’s just like, why would you do
being a mentee to being a mentor. That was in a
that? I slept on it, woke up the next day, it was like a
space of a couple months, it was my age group,
hearsay thing someone said, this, this and this. And
and younger and then poetry learning poetry and
this is gonna happen to you. So the person called
learning how to be a wordsmith to actually teaching
me again and said what are you going to do about
people how to construct their sentences. So being
the situation, I said, who gave you that information,
somebody to look at that’s not necessarily it’s not a
and who gave that person that information? I don’t
foreign area, It’s not strange. But of this magnitude
know, if it’s not anyone that’s relevant in my career,
it’s mad because I literally went from under 10k
for myself, for anything and then the situation dies.
followers at the beginning of the year in December, I didn’t even have 10,000 followers.
It wasn’t that important. you know the phrase the devil makes use of idle hands, when people’s hands
Now I’m on like 33k. It’s crazy. If I post the video,
are idols, it’s like they’re bored, things are a lot more
the likes and the views actually add up to how much
drastic and make people panic a lot more when
people follow me, and that’s really crazy to me,
they’re bored. This whole thing taught me just to
cuz I’m like, hold on, all of you’re actually paying
do your own research and ask more questions to
attention to me. So I’ve got to make sure that I’m
get facts, Stay prayed up. I’ve been staying prayed
doing God’s work even though I’m kinda greezy
up. Every morning, every night, before I eat. I say
in my songs. I’m not greezy in the way that I’m
God please cover me in the blood of Jesus, the
promoting it. I wouldn’t say I’m a violent person.
body of Christ. I rebuke any bad spirits. The minute
But if I was to get into a fight I’ll know how to handle
you get sucked into the honey, in this industry, and
myself, but all the weaponry and stuff like that, I
you dont give thanks it affects you.``
don’t do that. So that’s why I made sure that when I’m doing my songs, I’m talking about that stuff. I
I know you’re very excited about your debut EP.
make sure that I’m using nouns and verbs and not
So I’m just gonna throw these questions: how
he, she because they need to know it’s not me.”
many songs are on the EP?
We talked about the positive things, but
“Seven songs on the EP, seven is my number and its
what were the disadvantages? What were the
my mum’s number too”
negatives that you learned? So tell us about the EP What are you going to “Sometimes people are just out to get you, you
take us through? What are you going to give us?
know. And I haven’t experienced it in any way, where
What can we expect?
my career is on the line. But it could be somebody, that’s close to you, it could be family, they could
“This project will give everyone an insight into
put in words like try and feed you information
certain things that happened when growing up,
that can make you make a decision that could
nothing too heavy, more playful stuff like fights,
potentially tarnish your career. If you don’t ask the
arguments, trials, tribulations. So my seven-track
right questions, you won’t be able to poke holes in
EP, you have Morgan, Militant, Maryland, Damage,
their theory, or their plan. Something happened the
Hold and Squeeze, 13 going on 30 and Braids.
Braids is a freestyle. It’s not like a song. But I’ve
I hope it heals and people can relate. I make music
got three freestyles on there. Because it’s just like,
for myself, I don’t really make music for anyone else.
these were the first three songs I did when I first
But the fact that people can relate- it’s a bonus.”
kind of found my sound. Morgan, Militant and Maryland and there was another one named Flu, but I kinda moved that to something else. It’s to emphasize fluidity, and when you’re growing up anything kinda goes.
You have structure. But sometimes the structure doesn’t mean anything. But you can have the best parents in the world. But we spend 80% of our time in school. Whatever happens at school, ain’t got nothing to do with whether your mum’s put a good dinner on the table. It’s just literally like if you spend 10% of your time at home, 10% extracurricular activities and 80% at school. If you get in a fight every single day at school where moms cook dinner every day. There are no fights at home, but you’ve had to fight every day at school. That weighs up and you spend how many hours a day at school and how many hours a day at home.
In the song ‘Militant’ I just want to tell young people that when you’re angry you’re angry at yourself, at the world, at God, at your parents.- It’s okay, because you don’t know why you’re angry. It’s about acknowledging your pain and expressing it, then figuring out how to express it better. Do you feel like you do that through your music? Acknowledging your pain and expressing it in your music?
Yeah, but I still have normal reactions like I’ll cry or laugh, I’ll get upset. I’ll have panic attacks, I’ll do all of these things. But then when it hits and I hear the beat (sometimes there’s no beat or sometimes there’s no song and just a beat) Interviews and stuff like this will help people realise my song is not just a song. Not that it’s a story or anything like that, but
P-NUT INTERVIEW BY SAMUEL ENI & PEDRO EDU PHOTOS BY BALINT MARJAI
Let’s start from the beginning. When did you
Linkup TV, and spelt it wrong. So I just left it at
start making music?
that.” Have you got tracks with Carns Hill?
“I can’t really tell you because I’ve been into music from a young age, growing up my mom was
“Yeah, got a whole EP”
playing music. If it wasn’t Garage, it was SOCA or Dance and my dad was the same. So I was always
Is that ‘Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?’
interested. I was singing or rapping, but mostly
that’s all from Carns Hill?
And
singing. I think I swapped over to rapping I would say late primary school as well. Yeah. So year five
“Yeah. And then obviously bits and pieces of what
or year six.”
I’ve written over the years.”
Listening to your music and dissecting your sound
He’s a great producer to have as a friend. So
you come across very confident. Even how you
what were your early influences in music?
attack your songs as well. It’s always boisterous. It’s always confident. You know who you are? Is
“When I was working with Carns, I was working
that something that you’ve always had from a
with hella guys. But I think it’s more because of
young age? And if so, how did that even come
my dance and singing, and I’ve always been that
about?
person so when I see music videos on MTV Base and stuff. I know the dancing and the videos off by
“I will say I’m confident and I’m shy, but you
heart. I’ve always wanted to dance and be in that
wouldn’t know I’m shy. Unless maybe it’s like a one
world with people like Missy Elliot, Erykah Badu
to one or, an intimate group or something. But I
Lauryn Hill. Then you have the men: I love Michael
guess I’ve always been a wild child. I think that’s
Jackson, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg.”
what made it better for me in terms of I’m gonna do this - I’m gonna do that. Even though I do have a family telling me that maybe I should do business
Tell us about your creative process. When you go
or do this or do that. That always diverts me from
into a booth, what’s your process like, do you
music. But then I always come back. It’s like guys,
need to have a finished track first? And then you
leave me alone.”
can lay down rhymes or sometimes the rhymes come first and you just have to create a beat
Who is P-Nut. How did that name come about?
that will kind of match the vibe with what you’ve already written?
“I got this name when I was 17. And I put it as my BBM name. And then everybody ran with it. And
“It depends. I can write there and down or if
it was actually spelt p e a n u t. But then I think
the beat is getting made, which mostly has been
in 2017, Carns Hill uploaded one of my songs on
happening for a good couple of years now, so I
don’t really remember what it feels like to go on
were collaborating and making music.
YouTube to look for a beat. But if someone’s making a beat in front of me and i’m waiting to write lyrics,
“I’m so happy I met her. I don’t think you
I’ll wait until I’ve heard the first beat drop, so I can
understand.”
see what direction you’re going to take in and then lets me know if I like it or not, because I’m quite
Tell us about the story about how that song came
picky with beats. And then I guess it just depends
about?
how I feel and what comes to mind.” “Okay, so obviously, she found me on Instagram, Do you experiment with your sound?
we spoke a bit and then she sent me the song. And I’m not even lying. It took me a sec to record
“I’ve got my house song. I’ve got a 70s song as
that song because I kept dancing to it. That was
well, the majority of my freestyles are on like old
it. Every time it was like, Yo, let me try. I just kept
hip hop beats. I have even freestyled to a Kylie
dancing to the beat, until after I was okay. You
Minogue song and a Britney Spears song I just
take it on now. And I had to complete it. I went to
didn’t bring it out. I think with me, if I feel like
the studio to meet her as well and EBO was there.
I’ve missed a certain time for me to do something,
And he helped to engineer and put some ideas
it gets forgotten. Until when I go back, I’m like
together. It was a good session man.
mmm? should I bring it out should I leave it?” Funnily enough when it comes to ‘Falling in Love’, Are you a bit indecisive when it comes to
just before I released it, I showed it to someone
releasing music?
and showed them the video. And they thought it was a bad idea to release it (under my name)
“I’m kind of indecisive, especially because it’s me
because people are used to seeing me doing a
making all the decisions. And I don’t really preview,
certain type of genre, even though I don’t just do
I don’t show my music to anyone. So now, it’s like,
one genre. Maybe I might confuse people or they
you get it when you get it”
might not like it. But this song was the only song that’s really making me money."
Is that something that you’re looking to change, though? I’m sure there’s been demands and
Don’t listen to people.
wants from your audience? "I didn’t listen. I love the song. It took me like two “I don’t know, I live in my own bubble. I don’t
months to write it because I kept dancing to it. "
really pay attention to what’s going on outside of it, though. I can’t really tell you what’s on the
Is there an EP that’s going to be coming out with
charts. I can’t tell you who’s popping. I can tell you
the both of you? Is that something that’s going
none of that. What I know is what I’m doing. And
to be released this year?
I’m doing it tomorrow and next week. So if people are asking me what’s happening, I’ll tell them yes,
“I can’t tell you that because I don’t know.”
it’s been a while I’ll be coming back soon. But then I go back to that, do what I need to do and then
In terms of your own, solo career, what’s next
plan that way.”
for you?
We first heard about you through someone,
“I think what I’m going to be doing for now is just
who’s also been featured on this issue, System
releasing singles, because it’s been a while. So I
Olympia. And she spoke so highly of you. You can
need to build back up the momentum. But also
tell that she felt that connection when you guys
when I come out with visuals, I can’t put a time
stamp on it. But soon, because this year is already
I’ll say she’s more rapping, also maybe something
going fast.”
from Snoop Dogg, and I’m really loving Key Glock too.”
Can you tell us why it’s been a while? Cognitive Behaviour Therapy came out in 2018 “Because I took a break from music for one.
with 10 tracks, and two features: what’s your
And during that break, my EP came down So I
favourite track on there?
had to bring that backup. And then I released a house song. So my EP got put back up last year.
“Heartless it’s got SDG, he wanted me to do the
And then I released the house song in July. And
verse again.”
then, I guess, working on myself and my private life and trying to match it. Because when you’re
Why? Your part was hard.
doing music, you don’t really have time for other things. And then when you’re making money and
“I can’t remember why. I can remember I definitely
stuff, you don’t really have time for music. So you
liked that song. And I do like, ‘Came From Nothing”
have to try and balance it. I kind of get lost in my personal life sometimes, especially because there’s
How did that come about?
no one behind me saying “Where’s the music?”. It’s just outsiders saying it. It’s not as much of a
“If I’m not mistaken, 2018, 67 wasn’t really about
push as I need.”
that year, I was quite good at hooks more than my verses. I could always swap. And I think Monkey
You should take them seriously.
wanted my hook. Both me and Carns. said No. And Reeko Squeeze wanted the hook too, and I said
“No, I definitely do because I don’t want to lose
no.”
the people that actually support me and listen to me. But then again, I don’t want to rush anything
So we’re waiting for this new project. We want it
and come up with crap. And another thing is I
to come out, which will be when?
don’t feel like I’m in competition with anyone, so I feel like my spot will not get taken”
“I know, but you’re gonna have to wait for the singles. I can’t bring out a project all in one
What’s your theme song?
because I feel like it will go to waste. So I have to bring out the singles first. Funnily enough, in 2020
“This is hard. I don’t know who to pick so many
I went to Paris and made a whole EP. It was meant
songs flying around in my head. But I’m gonna give
to come out in 2021, but the producer in Paris was
this one as an answer: Azealia Banks - Along the
taking so long to mix and master and send it back,
Coast.”
I only got it probably at the end of last year. Now I just don’t know what to do with it, it’s a totally
I’ve never heard that song before but I do see
different sound, me trying different adlibs, I’m just
her in you.
not sure whether I should bring it out or not.”
“Please google it and listen to it” Do you like her as an artist? “Definitely. She’s very outspoken. I don’t know why I didn’t say her name when I said influences. Because I’ve been rocking with her for 10 years.
PHOTOS BY BALINT MARJAI
SYSTEM OLYMPIA INTERVIEW BY SAMUEL ENI & BALINT MARJAI PHOTOS BY BALINT MARJAI
System Olympia was born and raised in Calabria, then she spent her teen years djing clubs in Rome, then moved to the US to follow her music dream to then reallocate in London. Since we’re big fans of her productions, we decided to have a chat with her.
Tell us a bit more about yourself. Firstly, I was
“I just started buying records. I had a lot of friends
thinking about this. And I was like, wow, System
that were DJs and music collectors. So when I
Olympia It sounds like it has a band name. So I
was in my late teens I started buying records,
just wanted to know the origins of that name?
and then when I was at uni, the first year of uni, I
And where did it come from?
was working in a bar, and I was like, I can do this. I’d love to DJ. So I tried and I just loved it right
“Yeah, you had a really good guess. When I was
away. So I just bought turntables, and I started
picking a name before, I was in a band called
buying more records. And then I just kept going,
‘Royalty’, and then I wanted to do a solo project.
I never stopped really. I started playing Hip Hop
And I was thinking of a new name for myself. At
instrumentals in the club. And everybody was
first, I thought the name I wanted should sound
like why are you playing instrumental music in
like a band. Because I didn’t want to reveal who
the club, especially the ones going slow, no one
I was. (Yeah, such a good guess). You know, some
wants to hear that. But then I went to LA and I
people don’t say who they are. Especially, as I
realized that there was a whole scene around that,
didn’t want people to know that I was a girl. I was
the instrumental hip hop that eventually became a
in a band before and it was produced by me and a
whole thing with a flying lotus, all the death scenes
guy. And I always felt like people assumed that all
just basically started from playing instrumental
the music was done by the guy because you know,
music at the time.”
girls do not usually [produce] and there are not as many female music producers. There’s a bit of a
You lived in the USA for quite some time. How
stigma around it. I don’t want people to know that
long were you there for? What sparked the
I’m a woman producing. Just a one-woman band,
inspiration to move to London? I feel like the
which it is. Which is actually extreme, because I
USA is very music-oriented. They’ve influenced
do everything myself. I record, I am in a studio, I
us as well over here, especially in the late 90s
write myself, I mix my songs. I do everything by
and 80s. So yeah, what was it like in the USA?
myself. So it actually sounds like a band, but it’s an extremely personal project.”
“When I first moved to LA, I didn’t speak good English. It was such a massive change coming from
Thanks for clearing that up for us. You grew up
Italy. I grew up with the myth of America and you
in Italy and you started DJing. Tell us about the
know this fascination for so long when I was there,
early stages of your career. What got you into
I was so excited to just be in Hollywood to me. And
performing? How did it feel to be a DJ from such
at the time being I was being paid for the music
a young age? And just you know, what gave you
that I was making. It was the best place to be. So
the confidence to start performing? And being
I was just so inspired and I met the right people
somewhat a solo artist as well?
at the right time, I was so lucky. I never fully lived
PHOTOS BY BALINT MARJAI
there because I never had a visa. So I would travel
I’d been on a date with some random guy that I
back and forth. I would stay at my mum’s and then
never saw again. He told me he was making beats
head to LA for a few months. At some point, I
and he was in London. I asked him if he knows
realized that I could never settle there because I
any female rappers from London as I would love
didn’t have a visa and I was in a relationship that
to make a song with a female rapper from the
wasn’t working. So I decided to just go back to
UK. The next day, he sent me a list of names. I
Italy. But the actual story is that my flight to Italy
went on YouTube and I listened to all these girls
had a layover in London for like a couple of hours.
and they were all amazing, but only P-Nut really
And from the airport, I called a friend of mine and
stood out from everybody else, because she was
asked if I could stay with her as I didn’t want to
so different. I shared the video on YouTube and
go back to Italy. It’s been many years now. When
sent her a message and she responded. The first
I came to London, I just walked into Shoreditch
time we met was when she came to the studio to
and it felt like New York City. I thought: Can I
record the song. I had never met her before. As
actually get a job here? She was like: Yeah, you’re
she walked in, I was just amazed, she’s very Grace
legal here, you can get a job tomorrow. I couldn’t
Jones-like in person. She’s very confident and very
believe it. So I just got a job right away. I still love
cute at the same time, but serious. She just went
it so much.”
on the mic and we were shocked. We were there for a few hours and she wrote the lyrics in the
You have a very consistent discography and you
studio. Honestly I didn’t expect it to turn out so
tap into many different sounds. Earlier on in your
well!”
career, what were some of your influences, and how do you feel like your sound has evolved over
You have a residency with NTS and you often
the years?
play DJ sets all over London. Which do you enjoy more, being a radio host or just producing music,
“I think generally I just got better. Technically my
and making people dance?
sound has evolved. It makes a lot of difference. But other than that, I feel like my sound has always
“You know, it’s different. I think I’m the most
been pretty consistent. The only difference is in the
comfortable in my own studio. Because I just
actual quality of it because of skills and technical
wake up in the morning, I sit there all day, and
stuff and upgrades with gear. I just developed it
it’s my time, you know, it’s comfortable and I love
over the years, but I wouldn’t say there’s a massive
it. Radio, I love it too. So nice to connect with
difference in what I was doing 10 years ago to now,
people on a very intimate radio show. So I feel like
my taste is pretty much the same. I just expanded
I’m able to express myself and play the songs I
my sound. The core of it, I think, is always pretty
love for the people is beautiful. And it’s amazing
much the same.”
getting feedback. The live shows are tiring. Like I just came back from one this weekend. I’m just
The song ‘Falling in Love’ featuring P-Nut. How
so tired. It’s amazing. But I need to stop drinking.
did that collaboration come about?
That’s the thing. I need to learn how to do that. I don’t know how to do it. Like as soon as I go to
“I love that song, it gets better for me everytime
the club, I just start drinking so I was talking to a
and people seem to love it too. It started because
few friends of mine who’re DJs as well. I’m like,
How do you do this? Because, you know, they do it
songs?
every week, and I don’t at the moment. They do. I have to do this every weekend. They’re like, well,
Right now I think eight, I’m working on it.
you know what? I don’t drink. That’s the only way to be sustainable, long term. So that’s my goal for
And any features?
this year.” “I’m working on it. I’m so excited about it. I’m What’s been your favourite set to do? Do you
gonna take my time with it. And I just released
have any that really stood out for you?.
something. On February 4, my last single and I have so many remixes coming out and compilations this
“The one that I’m proud of is when I played in
month. So yeah, I’m gonna wait until the end of the
Berlin a couple of years ago, I played for four hours.
year, if not early next year.”
That’s the longest I’ve ever done. And I think I did quite well. I’m proud of that one because I was
What would you say is different from the one
opening for quite a big lineup that was like my
that’s set to come out to Delta Venus, the one
dream lineup. I was very proud to be part of that.
that you released in 2020?
So far, that’s probably the one I’m most proud of. But you know, there’s many.” There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding
I think it was the progression, there’s definitely
streaming platforms. What do you think the
those elements, but it’s my progression to more
future is for you on releasing music? Do you have
vocals or speeches. It’s less abstract and more
a different approach on how you want to release
‘synthpop’ I’d say.
music going forward? Was that intentional? “I release my own music on my own label, which is major for me because now I’m in full control of
“I think I wanted to expand my audience, without
what I do and how I put it out. I’m releasing my
compromising the depth. It’s quite abstract and it’s
own vinyl records and I want to continue doing
quite deep still, but also there’s ease and lightness
that. I personally love streaming platforms. I use
that makes it easy-listening to a degree. I want to
Spotify all day. So I’m not against any, I do get
do the same with my next album. I want to have
paid. So it’s okay. But I’m going to be producing
that ease and reach a wider audience. I do love
more, for other people.”
pop music and I do love synth-pop. They’re like proper songs. Normal structure. So there will also
Would you ever do a project solely based on just the woman, the ladies that you have collaborated with? Yeah, I would love to. It’s just there’s so much I try to do and only as much I can do at once. So you know, I’m working on my next album right now.
MARY Did SHOE FOR MAGAZINE you just giveGUAP us an exclusive? How many
be those elements that we don’t have in there.”
Bella Shmruda INTERVIEW BY JAE MOE
Over the years, Bella Shmurda has grown to a mainstream superstar with his insane hits that touch on the struggles of Nigeria, coming from the streets and navigating life around his career. KWAKU ASANTE (2021)
How did you come up with the name ‘Bella
to Wiz for the chance. It was one of my biggest
Shmurda’?
performances to date, so I’m happy I’m doing good and I’m grateful for it.’
‘Shout to my friend: I got Bella Shmurda from Bobby Shmurda but my real name is actually Abiola
What inspired your latest single ‘My Friend’?
and I’ve gone by many stage names in the past. So, he’s Bobby and I’m Bella and now me and Bobby
‘My friend majorly is about telling people even if
are friends. So that’s the story of Bella Shmurda’
we are not speaking right now and I’m not present I’m still here for them and regardless of being Bella
How did it feel knowing your single ‘Cash App’
I am still me. Currently it’s at No.2 in Nigerian
had gone global?
charts so I’m happy.
‘I was feeling proud of myself and I’ll be honest
What
should
we
look
out
for
in
2022?
before that song came out it took me five months to release it, because my mind wasn’t really
‘Expect music to inspire, make people move and
there at the time. I never thought it would ever
get people dancing. Currently in the process
get this big because I had just released two other
of sorting out my new album as well as helping
songs and I was already working on other things
friends with their EPs so I’m really excited about
and it just got mad out of nowhere but shout out
the future.
to my team.’ What Artists are you currently working with? What was your upbringing like before the music? ‘Currently ‘I was born in Ekodu and went to private school. I
and
I’m
am the last, born of 10 children. I started recording
days
and
working just I
with
working just
want
Patoranking, hard to
towards keep
Timaya better
cooking!’
and singing during secondary school. Music has always been a part of me and I thank God that I am
One piece of advice to those coming up in the
able to do what I can do and I am able to live my
industry?
dream. I’m still moving and it’s a blessing.’ ‘Yes, be prayerful and optimistic about your goals. What artists inspired you?
If it’s your dream, don’t stop and keep going and it will come to you through hard work.
‘Artists like, Fuji, Pasuma, Olamide, Wizkid and
Some things may not go your way, but never give
Davido are a massive inspiration for me.
up on your dreams.’
What was it like coming to London and opening for Wizkid? ‘It was an amazing opportunity for my career, we did have to go through some things but shout out
KAAN AMJAD LOOKBOOK (2021)
5 MUST-SEE MUSIC VIDEOS FROM 2022
SEIGFRIED
Zakhar - Never Hiding
17-year old London-native Zakhar has recently released his debut single, ‘Never Hiding’, alongside a stunning music video directed by Edem Wornoo. As for the track, it’s an incredible debut single sporting a chilled yet rhythmic backdrop, highlighting Zakhar’s introspective lyricism. The cinematic visuals make great use of light, silhouette and VFX that render Zakhar’s crew invisible, teasing a much deeper narrative, yet focusing on Zakhar’s storytelling and captivating performance.
Nadav Sivan - Black Mirror
Nadav Sivan creates an eclectic mix of genres, including soul, hip-hop, funk, and classical music. From quiet piano ballads to grandiose band anthems, Nadav is a born live performer. Nadav Sivan’s single, ‘Black Mirror’, is a stunningly composed and performed record accompanied by a theatrical music video that, like the single, carries an incredible live feel. Nadav’s vocals are infectious and powerful, cutting through the big-band instrumental, introducing the young singer as one to watch in 2022.
CIB - Mott St
CIB arrived towards the end of 2021 with her pop-infused indie rock single “Viagra”. The talented songwriter now releases her first single of 2022 accompanied by a self-directed DIY aesthetic music video, which well-conveys the adolescent anxiety the tracks sonic reflects. It’s a wonderfully gutsy single that could well become a known anthem for anyone in their teens and early twenties. At the time of writing this, the video stands under 1000 views, yet CIB is undoubtedly one of the most promising young artists in alt-pop of early 2022.
Sam Tompkins - Hero
From regular Brighton busker to major label artist, Sam Tompkins has had a incredible journey which seems like it could just be the beginning for the young talented singer. Last month Sam released ‘hero’, one of Sam’s most personal tracks to date. Tompkins said in his press release that “it’s a tribute to the courage my dad showed when he persevered through one of the hardest periods of his life”. With his Fathers permission, Tompkins was able to tell his story whilst also playing his father in the amazingly moving music video directed by Philip Barantini.
Wesley Joseph - COLD SUMMER
Artist and Director Wesley Joseph returns with a new single “COLD SUMMER”, which also marks the artist’s debut since signing to the prestigious independent label Secretly Canadian. The track is extremely powerful, with Wesley himself stating that he “wanted to create the theme music for a supervillain’s return, something that felt uneasy, tense, and eerie, yet completely encapsulating”. Joseph certainly delivered on his promise, with the “COLD SUMMER” music video which was shot on location in Kazakhstan, detailing his alter-ego, Frederick’s personal origin story.