FEATURE:
Spotlight
one of the most impressive and important feats of this year was when Kenya Grace’s major label debut single, Strangers, got to number one. It was written and produced by her. That made her the second female artists - the other being Kate Bush - to ever achieve that. That alone deserves respect! The South African-born, London-based artist is someone who rightly has a lot of interested eyes on her. I am going to come to a few interviews that were published around Strangers and its release. Even if that was her major label debut single, Kenya Grace has been performing for a few years now. An artist that come to attention during the pandemic in 2020, I think that 2023 has been her most successful year. Before coming to recent interviews, I want to go to a Wordplay Magazine interview:
“Kenya Grace is a self-taught singer/songwriter/producer hailing from London. She has grown up on an eclectic mix of music which permeates through to her current sound and has been likened to Banks and Flume. She’s managed to stay creative and productive throughout lockdown; dropping the syrupyTalk earlier this month on Trash Like You Records. We caught up with Kenya to discuss her musical journey, her current musical output and her plans for the future…
What influenced you in pursuing music as a career and have there ever been times when you doubted yourself in your pursuit?
I remember the first time I wrote a song and the feeling I got; I literally couldn't compare it to anything else so I think I then just decided this is what I'm going to do for the rest of my life! From then I diverged into production and my mind was literally blown with how much you can create from a laptop - we live in such an exciting time! I think every artist has doubts (we’re such a sensitive bunch) but I know for certain I would not be happy at all if I quit music and did something else.
You graduated from the Academy of Contemporary Music in August 2019 - what were the main things you took away from that and how has that impacted you as a musician?
Before ACM I couldn't even sing in front of people. I was so shy with my music and barely believed in myself at all, So I think ACM impacted me as a musician in a huge way - I was finally surrounded by people just like me, we worked on so many different projects and really supported each other. I really have met the best people during my time at ACM and I learnt so much about myself and really worked hard on building up my confidence and my sound.
For someone that has never heard a Kenya Grace song, how would you describe your soundscape in seven words?
Sultry, smooth, delicate, dreamy, electronic, empowering.
You’ve described your latest song Talk as "an acknowledgement of a toxic relationship and a decision not to take someone's shit anymore" - how do you hope tracks like these will help others who may be going through similar situations?
I wrote Talk after getting out of a toxic relationship and the journey of finally letting go and moving on which gave me back my power. I really hope people can relate to the lyrics and perhaps see similar situations in their own life and get out of there!! It may seem hard at first to let someone go especially if they are close to you but it's also so incredibly empowering to finally do what is best just for yourself.
The track was created in your bedroom during isolation - how did you find lockdown had an impact on your creative process and did it change your process when putting together a track?
I love creating sounds and writing on my own. I think it's when I'm my most authentic and creative, so lockdown wasn’t really too much of a change for me! However after I create a demo or the basis of a song I now usually involve more people and get them to add some different elements to the song. However for this one I just made it all myself and then @bandicootstudios did an amazing job of mixing and mastering my little bedroom creation. In a sense, I am more proud of this one because it's all mine, made from my room during lockdown and about something that really impacted my life so it feels very genuine to me.
With 2020 returning to some semblance of normality - what do you hope to achieve over the next few months and what are your short term goals with regards to releasing music and developing as an artist?
One of my short term goals in music is to get back in the studio - I’ve missed it so much!! I have been writing so much during lockdown and can't wait to bring these creations to life in the studio. Although we have been doing lots of zoom writing sessions, it's just not the same as that feeling of when you’re vibing in the studio! I really can't wait to release the projects we have been working on over the past few months and hopefully in the near future I’ll be able to perform them in front of a live audience”.
I am going to come up to date now. 2024 is going to be a massive year for Kenya Grace. After a number one single that showcases her skills as a songwriter and producer, many will be looking at an E.P. or album. She is someone who is being talked about as a serious artist to watch closely. The Independent reacted to the news of the wonderful Strangers going to the top of the charts in the U.K. It is an amazing accomplishment for Kenya Grace:
“Chart newcomer Kenya Grace has made history as her debut single “Strangers” reached the No 1 spot.
Born in South Africa but raised in Southampton, Grace began releasing music independently in 2019. She put out tracks such as “Tell Me Why”, “Talk” and “Oranges”, which failed to make an impact on the charts.
But it was “Strangers”, Grace’s self-produced drum and bass single which put the singer on the musical map. The track became big on TikTok and rose up the charts, hitting the top spot on Friday (13 October).
In doing so, Grace became one of only two British female artists to reach the No 1 spot on the Official Charts with a track performed, written and produced entirely solo.
The only other act to hold this record is Kate Bush. However, it wasn’t “Wuthering Heights” that earnt Bush this accolade, but her 1985 track “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” when it re-entered the charts in 2022 following a feature on Stranger Things.
Paloma Faith on her heartbreak and being a single mum: ‘Our relationship ended because we had those children – it was worth it’
Paloma Faith on her heartbreak and being a single mum: ‘Our relationship ended because we had those children – it was worth it’
On her No 1 song, Grace said: “This is absolutely mental. Thank you so much for everyone who has streamed and supported and made videos with this song. This has literally changed my life, 100 per cent. Thank you so much!”
“Strangers” rose up the charts over a six week period, knocking Doja Cat off the top spot she had occupied with “Paint The Town Red” for five weeks”.
The fact is that Kenya Grace is in very exclusive company regarding her number one single feat being on par with Kate Bush. Both artists releasing this debut that was written, produced and performed by them. I don’t think it will be a one-off for her either. Vogue interviewed Kenya Grace after Strangers’ success to get her reaction – and also learn more about a tremendous young artist:
“With that feat, the 25-year-old has also made history: she is the second female solo artist to claim that spot with a song she wrote, produced, and performed entirely by herself. The only other woman to do so? Kate Bush. “It has been a very crazy few weeks. At the start, it was a lot and I was struggling. But,” she says, her smile growing, “it’s just been amazing.”
While she only started to release music last year, “I’ve made music since I was a kid. I feel like I’m meditating when I do it… I can truly express myself.” A Boomtown regular, the music she makes now is shaped by a youth spent partying. From the age of 16, “we would go to a bunch of, like, questionable drum ’n’ bass raves.” A sound resonating with a new generation of Brits, along with peers like PinkPantheress, Nia Archives, and Piri & Tommy, she brings the genre to a global audience with their Gen-Z twist. “It’s more like songwriter-y vibes now, I love it.”
Although she has an invested online audience, over 600,000 of whom like and comment under all her music snippets, hungrily demanding each release, she has just one performance under her belt so far. Grace is about to jump from practicing for family and friends to touring Europe, headlining venues like Berghain, and America, in her first time on the continent. “It’s come around really fast,” she grins. “I don’t have some crazy dream. Hopefully I can just keep connecting with people.” Below, Grace discusses musical theatre, tattoos, and Tinder.
What was the inspiration behind “Strangers”?
Sonically, I wanted to make something that was more ethereal sounding, so I layered synths, high-backing vocals and lots of reverb to try and create this euphoric sound. Lyrically, it’s just something that I’ve been noticing a lot recently through my own past relationships and other people’s too: how you can speak to someone for so long and then randomly one night, you just never speak to them ever again. That complete polar opposite change is so common now – I think it’s through Hinge and Tinder and dating apps. I feel like it’s so easy just to dispose of people. Sad but true!
It’s interesting you wanted to give that subject a euphoric sound. Why the contrast?
I always love that juxtaposition. It’s one of my favourite things when you have a really fat reese base, fast drums and low frequencies, and then the opposite of that would be light airy vocals, and soft, delicate, pretty-sounding harmonies. I’ve loved that ever since I first heard it with Banks: really deep bass and then her vocals were really soft.
What were your formative music experiences?
My mum always used to play Norah Jones and Katie Melua. That’s such a big memory actually, this song called “Sunrise” by Norah Jones. And a really important part of my musical journey: I got into musical theatre in primary school really, really young, and then I was like, “I love singing!” When I went to secondary school I got into it even more and that’s helped me to sing properly and perform. It’s really crazy thinking back, musical theatre to now – mad difference but yeah!
@kenyagracebaby Writing sad songs is my therapy 🥲✨ #songwriter #femaleproducer #dancemusic #drumandbass #dnb #liquid ♬ Strangers - Kenya Grace
How did raving shape your sound?
That time in your life, you’re like a sponge. You take in so much when you’re a teenager. It made me really fall in love with the party scene – the good and the bad. It’s almost the imagery of going into the club is imprinted in my brain: getting there; going out to the smoking area; all of it is such good imagery. That is imprinted in my soul.
How did you find your own personal style?
I’ve always loved it ever since I was in school, and I used to get piercings – or pierce myself. Two years ago, I worked at a piercing shop in London and that has definitely influenced me. I love the alternative space: piercings and tattoos. I want to be completely covered in tattoos soon. I love vintage clothes. My favourite place to get vintage jackets is a secondhand leather shop in Camden… and I love New Rock shoes.
Your comments are begging you to release the other songs you’ve teased; when do you plan to?
I don’t know, to be honest… I love posting those videos so much and I’m really happy I did, but that’s all that exists of those songs. Some of them are such works in progress. Some artists tease songs and there’s a full song but it’s not like that for me. I don’t know what I’ll do with them. Eventually, maybe I’ll just do an album of mini songs.
“Strangers” resonated with a car ride-loving community; what is your favourite music to play in the car?
If I need hyping up then maybe like some really heavy drum ’n’ bass. Or, I really love neo-soul and pop music. But probably Flumes’s album: I always go back to Flume. Or Disclosures’s new album, that is really good”.
There are some more interviews that I want to come to. Official Charts spoke with Kenya Grace recently. The songwriter was asked about her path to success and who has influenced her as a producer. It is always fascinating to hear from this wonderful artist. She is definitely someone who is going to have a long future in music:
“I'm a big proponent of moving home to focus on your dreams
Honestly, it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I was really scared at first, because it does feel once you've moved out and then come back, you're moving backwards a little bit? I really thought that at the start, but it's actually been life-changing.
You went to ACM Guildford - please tell me it was like Glee, I'm seeing people dancing on tables
Honestly, I met people I still work with now there. It was basically a massive networking event. I did a songwriting course at uni, and that's what made me realise that I wanted to get into production. So, while I was studying songwriting, I was back at home teaching myself how to produce my own music. I needed to do it. I kind of wish I had a done a production course...
Honestly, I think all the best producers are self-taught
The best thing I learned [trying to do it all myself] was when I was going into sessions with people I'd never met before. They were so much better than me, so I just ended up watching them, and thinking how I could do that myself. It was like, OK, that's how you do that.
Production-wise, who are your artistic touchstones?
When I was at college I was massively influenced by Disclosure and Flume. They kind of changed my life. I knew that was the kind of music I had to make.
What was the initial idea that sparked the genesis of Strangers?
I don't really sit down and mean to write things, if that makes sense? It really fascinated me how you can have a relationship with someone, romantic or platonic, where you go from literally seeing them every day for months and months and then you just never speak again. It's quite sad! And I don't know about most people, but I could never handle being friends with my ex. But I didn't even mean to start writing about this! It just happened. I just felt so strongly about how sad it is.
My favourite thing about the song is that the production is completely banging, but the lyrics are, like you say, about a really sad situation
The juxtaposition there is my favourite thing too. It's really vibey and it makes you want to party, but at the heart of it, it's really sad. If I'd made a sad version, you'd literally be sat alone in your room crying.
This is your major label debut single - was it clear from the time you finished it that this was the track to lead with?
No. It wasn't! I wrote Strangers in February and actually...this is quite funny...I was originally [going to lead] with a different song. It's very trance, I was leading that across all my socials and that is coming out soon, but I wrote Strangers as a filler post. I wanted to keep people engaged! When we actually finished it, though, I think everyone knew this was the one to go with.
I think this has come at such a great time for women in dance music - drum'n'bass as well, which is seeing such a resurgence. Becky Hill and Chase & Status just scored a Top 10 with Disconnect, too. There's also so many women in pop writing and producing all their own stuff - Charli XCX, Eliza Rose, PinkPantheress...
I honestly think this is such an inspiring time for women in general. There are so many sick girls out there right now smashing it. We're feeding the narrative of girls absolutely slaying it, as they should! I actually love it, and I'm so happy to be a part of it”.
I am going to finish with a Rolling Stone UK interview. It is clear that Kenya Grace will get a lot of international attention and requests very soon. With more singles undoubtably in her mind – she did release Only in My Mind after Strangers -, it is not too long before her name is known far and wide. If you are new to her or completely unaware, do make sure to check out Strangers and her other music. These are early days, though this is an artist that you need to keep your ears open for:
“It’s been the craziest thing that’s ever happened to me,” she says, reflecting on the tune’s success, “and the best thing as well. It’s just been insane — I’m very grateful.” On her debut tour, she’s seen the real-life manifestation of this success. “Sometimes people on Instagram and TikTok don’t feel like actual people, so when you meet them in real life, it feels a lot more real.”
As well as her formative electronic influences, Grace is a musical peer of PinkPantheress. There are also plenty of similarities to the conversational, charismatic songwriting of Lily Allen in her work. Asked whether she considers herself primarily a producer, songwriter or both, Grace shrugs and plays down the importance of labels. The two terms feel equally applicable, though; her songs are far from just lyrics put on top of beats, and the tracks could have their dance-led dressing removed and stand strong as stripped-back, singer- songwriter tunes.
PHOTO CREDIT: Hannah Diamond
Following ‘Strangers’ is the ecstatic new single ‘Only in My Mind’, a track even catchier and more immediate than the chart-topper. With the promise of a bigger body of work on the way, it shows the next steps of an artist interested in building longevity, not simply a viral moment. As for the future, Grace is contemplating moving out of home and entertains ideas of collaboration and studio-based work. Despite these doors now being open to her, she feels drawn back to her comfortable and creatively stimulating origins, and there’s something irreplaceable and special about the songs being created purely inside the mind — and bedroom — of this intriguing new voice in British music”.
The Strangers title seems ironic now for an artist who is well-known and has a growing and loving fanbase. There are still those who do not know about the music of Kenya Grace. If that applies to you, then make it is a point to go and check out this brilliant artist. This year has been a hugely successful one for Kenya Grace. I have a feeling that 2024 will be…
EVEN better.
____________
Follow Kenya Grace
