FEATURE:
Spotlight
Highlyy
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WHILST there are not that many…
interviews from her available online, that will change as we move through this year. The brilliant Highlyy is an Essex artist who has already amassed a huge and passionate following on TikTok and Instagram. Like a few of the artists I have spotlighted in the past day or two, Highlyy is a name that I saw elsewhere. I was not aware of her until fairly recently. A sensational Afro-Pop talent who is going to make big waves this year, make sure she is someone that you familiarise yourself with:
“With some of the cleanest vocals in the game, emerging UK songstress Highlyy has taken the internet by storm, easing her way onto playlists and rotations with only one single and a big promise of what’s to come.
What makes Highlyy so significant as an artist is her embodied fluidity. She’s able to transition from English to French to Yoruba in one breath, merging the different layers of her and the communities they signify. She’s a representation of culture and pride, which is simultaneously much bigger than music and yet exactly what it’s all about.
At only 18, she’s hit milestones many artists have yet to achieve, and she’s done so humbly. Collaborating with British rapper Tion Wayne on their breakout hit afrobeats-inspired track “Soldier,” amassing millions of streams is only the beginning for the young talent.
All it takes is a quick scroll through Highlyy's comments to see the growing impatience for her follow-up, but she hasn’t succumbed to the pressures of an industry with little regard for process and marination. Her pristine vocals aren’t a gift to be rushed, and judging by her glowing confidence, it’s assumed that whatever is being cooked up won’t disappoint.
Free-spirited and inherently jovial, there’s a light she has that radiates from within. She’s trusting in the journey unfolding before her and you can tell she’s having fun, which many in her lane fail at feigning. From repping Essex all the way to Congo, Highlyy is free and for the people”.
With a few singles under her belt from last year, there will be questions whether an album, mixtape or E.P. will come. What next for this incredible artist. Even though she is a fan of Chris Brown and would like to collaborate with him one day – he is someone I hate and feel is a hugely problematic artist given far too much opportunity considering his abusive past -, I can appreciate why she’d love him for sharing her song, Soldier, on his social media. Apparently an E.P. could soon come about. It was suggested when Highlyy spoke with GRM Daily back in September:
“Highlyy’s musical journey began within a richly musical family, her Congolese heritage serving as the bedrock of her passion for music. Influenced by her father’s band and her mother’s choir singing, Highlyy seemed destined for a career in music. As a child, she sang in church and school choirs, quickly gaining recognition for her exceptional vocal talents.
However, it wasn’t until she stepped into a recording studio at just eight years old that she felt the call to create her original music. From that pivotal moment, Highlyy’s curiosity for writing and producing blossomed, propelling her to experiment with her unique blend of traditional African sounds and contemporary influences.
Now, with a burgeoning fan base and critical acclaim, Highlyy is evolving from a rising star to a visionary artist. Her music serves as a powerful medium to address issues relevant to her young audience, empowering them with her aspirational and honest themes, touching upon love, ambition, and the journey to success. She sat to speak exclusively with GRM about her journey so far.
We know that you come from quite a musical background. Tell us about your earliest interactions with music and how that all plays into your life and your interest in music.
“Okay, so obviously, my parents are very into music. My dad was in a band back in Congo. My mum was also a singer in a choir as were my grandparents. My parents bought me a microphone when I was younger. So I would always be making noise and singing in church. They would make me sing, so I joined the choir in church, and the choir in school, and everyone around was just telling my parents your daughter can really sing and you guys should pay attention to that. And, you know, here we are.”
So would you say that the musical ability that you have, has always been really nurtured for you to be able to pursue it?
“I would say that yeah, it’s always been there, you know, music is just around me. Has always been, and forever will be.”
Where does it turn around that you start writing your own music and where does that part come from? Because lyrically you are very strong, such a wordsmith…tell us more about how you started writing?
“My dad took me to a studio session for the first time when I was probably eight years old. My dad was taking me to the studio all the time, every weekend he would take me there to make songs.”
And if you were to describe your sound, how would you describe it?
“I would describe it as fresh, cool, Afro-pop, something new, something that you wouldn’t have heard before.”
Would you say your Congolese heritage influences that sound?
“Yeah, for sure. 100% I feel like it’s just something new. You haven’t heard it before. I don’t hear any artists like me. I’m not gonna lie. It’s something new and fresh. I feel like yeah, being Congolese definitely did play a big part in that.”
Is it important for you to showcase that?
“100% And that’s why I speak in different languages when I make my music so people feel connected in a different type of way.”
Have you managed to reach much of a fan base outside of Congo?
“Yeah!”
Have you been over to do anything yet? Or are there any plans to?
“Yeah, definitely . But you know what, I feel like I have a bigger fan base from Nigeria. But that’s because I do afrobeats and everyone thinks I’m Nigerian. When people realise I’m from Congo that’s when I feel like all of Congo will give me that love.”
Talk to us about the rest of the subject matter on the project and your writing process behind the different topics and how they relate. Is it super personal? Is it other people’s situations? Where do you place yourself when you’re getting into the mode to write a song?
“I feel like everything is personal, and everything just depends on how I’m feeling that day. If a situation just happened, I’ll talk about it. I’m like, let me not waste it. Because I feel when I write about my feelings, or what I’m going through, that’s when I make my best music because it’s really coming from the heart”.
I want to finish with an interview that goes back a bit further – to the summer of last year. Highlyy did mention an E.P. was coming out but, with singles following the interview, maybe it is slated for this year. In any case, there was special attention on the success of Solider. The fact that this is a song that connected with a lot of people. She also spoke about wanting to become a household name – which will happen in years to come I am sure. Wonderland. grabbed some thoughts and impressions from a brilliant and already complete young artist:
“19 years old and already taking the industry by storm, Highlyy is an artist with something to say. Following her global success of a debut single, “Soldier”, the emerging talent is showing no signs of slowing down anytime. Her infectious Afro-pop sound comes to life once more with “Time Like This”, the strong follow up single to her debut.
Growing up surrounded by a musical family, it was only a matter of time before Highlyy introduced her talent to the world. After studying at East London Arts and Music, finding a community of like-minded listeners on TikTok, and working to develop her unique sound, the stars aligned and her hard work paid off. With her all-encompassing, smooth vocals, she effortlessly transitions from Yoruba to French to English — blurring language barriers and creating something meaningful for a truly global audience.
I would love to hear about your single “Soldier” and the experience of it going viral before its release. What was that whole experience like and how has TikTok helped you to reach an audience and connect with your fanbase?
The whole “Soldier” thing, it’s crazy. I made the song at 4am in the morning. I was with my friends and a friend recommended the beat and everything. I made the song on my laptop and posted it on TikTok. It didn’t do anything on TikTok for like a month, so then I sped it up. I was like, “I might as well speed it up with TikTok. You never know what will happen”. So I sped it up and it literally went viral the same day. It’s crazy. TikTok is a very powerful tool for our generation. It really does help with music.
How did the music video come about? What inspired it and how did you create it?
With the music video, we were just like, let’s make it as authentic as possible. Let’s make it as relatable to me and as real as possible. So we used African props, Congolese culture, from the dancing to the food to the looks, everything. Even the little boy, he represented my little brother — and my little brother was actually in the video as well. It’s just authentic. It’s just real. It’s like real life. I feel like the song is a prayer. It’s a story of what I wanted. So I feel like the music video just takes us through my life.
You are building such an incredible community and fanbase. What do you hope your listeners take away from your music?
I just want people to be inspired. Like, I want anyone that goes through what I went through, or has dreams to just know that you can do it, as long as you put your mind to it and work hard. I just want people to really feel it. I feel like my music is very touching. As much as it’s a vibe, if you listen to the lyrics, it’s actually really deep.
Is there anything in particular that you’re really looking forward to, in the near or far future?
I’m looking forward to my EP — that’s gonna come out in July. I feel like that’s when people are really going to understand and know who Highlyy is. And, you know, it will put some respect to my name. I’m gonna have a household name. I want people to really know who Highlyy is.
Take some time out to discover an accomplished artist who is adding her own take and DNA to Afrobeat. Primed to have a very busy year, I can see her hooking up with some major artists on future songs. It is clear that there is this love out there for her. With more music in the ether, that will Highlyy played on more radio stations. Before long, there will be big gig demands and festival bookings. A major talent in the works, keep your eyes peeled…
FOR the sensational Highlyy.
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