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Kemi ade
Kemi ade

First Look Friday: Truth, Light + Honesty Are Kemi Ade's Best Friends

Lenny Kravitz, Grace Jones, Lauryn Hill, Lion Babe, Thundercat, SZA & More Rock The Afropunk Festival 2015 in Brooklyn, NY. Photo Credit: Wunmi Onibudo for Okayplayer

Afternoon, Okayplayers, we hope that this newest episode of First Look Friday reaches you in blessed spirits and good vibes. With her song "Third" receiving love from our audience on socials, Kemi Ade is building a reputation for being a crafty singer-songwriter who pulls no punches + has experiences we all can relate to. A worshipper at the altar of "alternative neo-soul," Kemi Ade channels the sounds of Jill ScottErykah Badu and filters it through her own truthful prism. Hailing from Croydon, South London, her music has easily captivated our earholes and her effortless infusion of flavorful sounds will do the same for you.

Blessed with the ability to make the song completely her own (thanks to her otherworldly writing abilities) — Kemi Ade has headlined shows at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, supported Denai Moore (another up-and-coming voice you should keep an eye on) and keeps intrigue around her like a classic Birkin bag. Liberating, sensual, golden and full of all of the keys — Kemi Ade is a name to commit to memory and play her songs on repeat. With all of that in mind, we are proud to present this week's First Look Friday subject, Kemi Ade, her newest EP O.W.Nesty, which shares a deeper side of the singer than before, and talk about some of the truths she shares in her work.

Okayplayer: To music snobs the world over, you are making an impact. What is it that those in music game are seeing and hearing that the rest of the world has yet to discover?

Kemi Ade: Pure great sounds from an honest perspective about how i view the world. Which is so relatable.

OKP: For those who have a passion for music, they honed their skills and practiced their craft. Who are your most cherished influences in music and why?

KA:Louis Armstrong forever and always. But recently it’s been a lot of Jazmine Sullivan and Frank Ocean. I love the rhythmic melodies.

OKP: Can you talk about how your life was while developing as an artist? How did you react to your first bits of press?

KA: I was heartbroken and writing songs to make the pain hurt a bit less. So hearing that people thought it was good. The songs I wrote about this sad time in my life helped me get over it. It also made me feel like I’m actually quite good at this [laughs].

OKP: With incidents involving people of color, police and racist occurring almost on a daily basis around the globe — how can your music (and/or others) help to relieve the trauma that is being experienced by the masses?

KA: It’s a form of escapism really. All music takes you to a place where you feel free.

OKP: What have been the most definitive obstacles that you’ve overcome in your career thus far?

KA: Finding my sound, and that's not just production. I mean finding my voice amongst these millions of others, and fine-tuning it to make it solely and purely me.

OKP: Can you also talk about the importance of the music industry scene as how you’ve experienced it? How do you see it evolving in the next five years?

Lenny Kravitz, Grace Jones, Lauryn Hill, Lion Babe, Thundercat, SZA & More Rock The Afropunk Festival 2015 in Brooklyn, NY. Photo Credit: Wunmi Onibudo for Okayplayer

KA: You know, it is so important to keep connected to what's going on musically, with streaming and everything. But at the same time focus on yourself. I think with music it's always evolving the industry but I’ve been saying I think the individual genres will pop up again like they did before like in the late '90s and the early '00s. Cause right now, everyone’s influenced by everything, so the lines are kind of blurred, but hey-ho we shall see.

OKP: What were some moments from your recent travels that will forever stick with you? Why?

KA: I went to Rome in 2015. It was absolutely amazing. The people, the culture, it was all so peaceful. It’s like being in the past and the future at the same time. I have to go again.

OKP: What was the first song that you ever wrote entitled? Can you talk about what it has come to symbolize since you’ve entered into the professional life?

KA: "Make Up to Break Up". Cheesiest song in the world, but it was super catchy. I was like nine-years-old. What I do know is that I’ve been writing about love forever and writing is just who I am.

OKP: How can your music speak truth to power in an age where people are so quickly digesting sounds and disposing of artists in a nanosecond?

KA: I think the production in my music is so stunning, it captures you so quickly you can’t ignore it. And I’m always telling a story that everyone can relate to.

OKP: Collaboration is uniquely a key to the success of certain creative individuals who wish to change the game. Who would you want to work with this year going into the next and why?

KA: You know what I really want to work with Kaytranada. They say "dream big" [laughs]. If he happens to read this, I love ya [laughs].

OKP: What is the overall message that Kemi Ade is trying to present in her music?

KA: Remember where you heard it. Remember where you felt it. I want you to feel my music.

OKP: Can you break down the inspiration behind a song that you created but never put out?

KA: I wrote a called "Phobias," and it was about the fear of heights and falling in love. Cause I think they are both similar as they are a fear of falling and a lack of control.

OKP: How do you see yourself changing the music industry for the better versus all of the bad stuff that goes on within it?

KA: I think I’m going bring true authentic music that you feel and everyone can relate to. I’m just going to bring awesomeness tbh.

OKP: How do you get over any anxiety before hitting the stage to perform live? What are some lessons or tips that you’ve learned from others about doing a stage I show?

KA: I don’t get anxiety before performing actually. I get excited and filled with this adrenaline rush. The adrenaline brings you to the stage because that's what truly connects you to your audience.

OKP: If the reader’s learned one thing from this First Look Friday chat with Kemi Ade — what would it be?

KA: I’m awesome [laughs]. I keed. Hopefully my love for my craft and how honest I am.

Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for more from Kemi Ade (and us!) by following her on Twitter @_KemiAde.