Artist Spotlight: Safiyyah
Shot by @ella.shootsfilm
One of the most provocative names in the pullulating R&B scene emerging from the depths of the underground, Safiyyah is a refined, distinctive and intoxicating artist.
A West London soulstress of Portuguese and Moroccan descent, the singer made a splash last year with her kaleidoscopic and deftly crafted debut EP ‘Third Eye’. Her refreshingly relatable approach to writing and her soaring, opulent vocals were matched with a jazz-infused selections of chromatic beats. Having worked with fellow hotly tipped artists like Finn Foxell and RADA, it is clear to see that Safiyyah is a fluorescent shade in the current purple patch of R&B tinging the UK music scene.
Saf has recently collaborated with another striking newcomer KeepVibesNear, as well as sought after producer Nikhil Beats for the colour-laden, retrospective cut ‘Days Like This’, which sees the two singers go back-to-back with thoughtful imagery and dazzling melodies over the wistful and lavish instrumental.
I caught up with Safiyyah to chat about the blossoming alternative R&B scene, the importance of collaboration, and the exciting news of an upcoming project.
Who is influencing you right now?
I think everyone around me. Everyone that I know, that I’ve connected with and that I’ve networked with. I really like upcoming artists like Nikhil, Solaris. I really like Berwyn, he’s really inspirational.
Going back to your musical origins, when did you first start writing, and since then how have you developed and augmented your sound?
I first started properly writing around 2018/19. From there I released ‘Grow’ and it’s been growing ever since. I think artists take a while to find their specific sound, so I think releasing over lockdown has helped me. I don’t think I’ll pinpoint myself to a specific sound or genre, but I think as time goes by you just get better and better.
I feel like you subconsciously refine your sound the more that you write.
Yeah exactly, the more that I write and the more people that I work with. Also, as you grow as a person and the things you experience will alter the way and what you write.
I love the way that you do write; the sonics, the narrative approach. Do you think that your approach to writing represents you well as a person?
Yeah definitely. Sometimes the way I write is short and sweet, and for me I’m quite introverted but selectively extroverted as well, which I think comes across in my writing.
As I’m sure you’re aware, we at The Pit are massive fans of the alt R&B emergence and surge in talent and popularity. Why do you think this has come about now?
I just think everything comes back around. Everyone always enjoys a blast from the past, and everything recycles, and that’s why it will always be relevant. It’s always going to be changing though, it’s never going to be the same as before.
Do you think the alternative R&B scene can continue gaining steam and break further into the mainstream?
Definitely. I think it will. Obviously it’s not everyones cup of tea but I think right now it’s really popping and people are enjoying it. Also because it’s not just classic R&B, there’s a freshness to it which I think will keep it going and will keep it new.
One thing about you that has always stuck out is the collabs you’ve done. Especially with Finn Foxell. For me, you’ve been a pioneering figure in this merging of alt R&B and rap scenes.
I love the merging. I feel like a lot of mainstream, drill rappers are wary of adding a female singer. I think it’s important to collaborate and change what you’re used to as well.
What does genre mean to you?
A specific sound, type of music. I think it started off with just simple boundaries but now it’s loads of little genres in-between.
Do you agree with the way that it’s used within the industry? Do you think it boxes artists to an extent?
Yeah I do. Like for me, I wouldn’t pinpoint myself to one specific genre because I would like to change it up and do D&B or garage and then go back to one specific one that I’m comfortable with. I think if you stay within boundaries all the time you would be boxing yourself in.
Yeah definitely. I can’t remember what track it is off of ‘Third Eye’, when in the second half of the song you go into a crazy sick breakbeat.
That’s Notting Dale. That’s what I’m talking about, having little switch ups. I did a ‘You Again’ remix too, which was quite garage like.
Talking of ‘Third Eye’, how was the recording and releasing process?
It was during lockdown, recording in home studios. It was really fun. I think that it was received well for a first EP. I think it was the perfect time because everyone was at home discovering new artists to compensate for what was happening. The process was good, I worked with people like Solaris and Nikhil, and during that time in lockdown I worked on Finn Foxell’s project ‘Talk is Cheap’ as well.
Are you in the process of making a new project now?
No I’ve finished it. I’m just now focusing on releases and promo etc, and in between I’m still making music and having sessions for the project after that.
Can you give anything away in terms of timescale for when the next project may be out?
It will be the beginning of the new year. Before that, there is be something else I might drop.
Is ‘Days Like This’ going to be on the new project?
Yeah!
How did that collaboration come about?
I actually knew KeepVibesNear before, I had one of his songs on my phone from ages ago, the song ‘Days Get Better’. He’s worked closely with Nikhil who’s a good friend of mine, and from there, Nikhil just kind of set it up. We made the whole track in one session. We just hit it off! I had some writing that I’d done, I had this concept of ‘days like this’. I’d written it down before, and when I heard that beat it was stuck in my head so I had to use it.
Has there ever been an occasion when you’ve gone to collaborate with someone and haven’t quite hit it off?
Not so much with artists because before working with them I can sense if we can make good music and if I’ll get along with them. With producers it can be hit and miss. It might not be what I like. In terms of artists not really. I worked with Rada and that was really organic as we’d met before at a park. Same with Finn, I knew him through friends of friends and I knew we’d get along.
That’s another thing about these alternative/underground scenes right now, it seems to be very closely knit and that everyone knows everyone.
Literally! I’ve realised that.
I think it helps with supporting and pushing everyones music out there. Whereas if you look at a scene like drill, it’s not like that at all.
That’s what’s so good about it, the love and support. It’s inspiring, we all know each other and are trying to help each other and support each other.
Talk me through the main themes and ideas behind ‘Days Like This’.
Originally it was about relationships; how you have good days and bad days with your partner. It’s got vibes of melancholy but at the same time is happy. Basically, it’s about being in your own head sometimes and remembering that there are going to be bad days and days that you feel like shit, but they’ll always be days where that’s not the case.
I am very excited to see you for The Pit LDN live with Bushhall music on February 5th! What can we expect from a live set from you?
Straight vibes, fun, new stuff, old stuff.
You’ll have the new project out by then too to give a spin.
Yeah exactly, I might have Kevin (KVN) come and join me.
If you were introducing yourself to a new listener who had never heard your music before, what track would you put on?
That’s hard… I might start with ‘Be Someone’ from the ‘Third Eye’ EP, because it’s just solely me with no features or anything, and I incorporate a bit of Portuguese in there. It’s produced by Nikhil and it’s quite chill vibes so I think that they could get a sense of what they are going to hear from me.
What is to come from you?
Lots more live shows, possibly another headline show. More music, I want to try and travel but I don’t know if that’s going to happen. Other than that, just getting on with everything!