Interview With Shaima

Shaima is a young, dynamic singer with a huge creative edge musically uniting her mixed cultural identity via what she playfully calls a ‘Bolly Beat’ - fusing pop, hip-hop and R&B via modern and more traditional instruments such as sitar, Arabic flute and tabla. She has just released her new single ‘Outsider’, so we caught up with her to learn a little more.

First and foremost, hello and how are you?

Hey there…Very good thank you (considering these interesting times we’re currently living in!)

Tell us about the record you have just released… How do you feel when releasing a record?

“Outsider” has a very special meaning which relates to how I felt growing up, I want everyone to be good in their skin no matter where they come from or where they’ve grown up. I love releasing records its such a good feeling, “Outsider” for examples we had started working on about a year before but took us a while to perfect it, so getting it out was amazing and finally letting people hear it which for me as an artist is what its all about. To date I’ve written over 300 records so getting them out feels very rewarding.



What inspired the record?

I’ve always felt different and that I’ve never fitted in quite to a particular group, especially when I was younger growing up in London I was always felt to believe this was a bad thing. Now I’m slightly older I realise being different is an amazing thing, and I want to spread this message to all especially young women who might be feeling how I felt those years ago…

Tell us a little about your creative process...

Lately I’ve started writing on the piano and translating those chords into beats on Logic Pro X, this has been more of a recent development for me. Otherwise I’ll collaborate with different producers and songwriters once I get sent a beat or more usually we will start making a beat in the studio together.

If the record were an animal, what animal would it be?

Hmm… probably an Elephant as the message in “Outsider” is wise but also gentle.

Define your sound in five words…

Vibrant

Embracing

Wordly

Rhythmic

Pure

What was the first song that caught your attention?

Shania Twain- Man! I Feel Like A Woman

What was the first song you bought?

Shakira- Whenever, Wherever (was 7 when this came out and obsessed!)

And the first album?

Michael Jackson- Thriller (Classic!)

What was the best concert you have ever seen?

Id probably have to say Beyonce at the 02 for her “I Am… World Tour”

What did the experience teach you that you have translated to your own shows?

Its taught me there has to be a good amount of rehearsal going into shows and making sure your on your A-Game, there’s no such thing as just turning up and hoping for the best! Also as an artist you need to be aware and a part of every part of the live show process from the musicians to the lighting etc.

What other artist are you most excited to hear from?

Really love Travis Scott, as he does his own production as well I always look forward to seeing what new direction he’s going to take his sound in, as each track is always something quite different.

If you could work with them, what would you hope to record?

Something unique using ethnic/ south asian sounds people haven’t heard before

If you had to pick three artists to be filed next to, who would they be and why?

Rihanna- admire her work ethnic and the way she’s used her Bajan heritage to infuse with Pop/R’n’b music, would also love to expand my brand into other industries at some point.

Drake- I admire his ability to be so dynamic and keep putting out great records whilst the industry and sounds keep changing.

Chance the Rapper- notably he has donated a lot of money towards education but he has also paved the way for a lot of independent artists. I respect the fact he’s refused to be moulded by the majors and decided to stay true to himself.

If you could jam with one artist alive or dead, who would it be?

It’s tough but I’d have to say Bob Marley. He’s on of my all time biggest inspirations and encourages me all the time still to be true to myself and try to help people through my music. He brought together so many people through his music which is so powerful and inspiring to me.

If you could have written one song by another artist, what would it be?

Your Song- Elton John

Someone is making a film of your life, who will play you?

Eva Mendes