'5 Questions With': Gaidaa

Gaidaa is the emerging Duch-Sudanese singer-songwriter with the silky-smooth voice. Making a name for herself in the industry, this breakout star has trademarked herself as a multifaceted artist, with an ethereal artistic style. Celebrating the release of her latest single ‘Falling Higher‘, this soulful single is the perfect teaser to her forthcoming debut EP “Overture” later this year. Chatting with Gaidaa, we got to learn a little more about her journey so far, and what comes next.

Words by Danielle Temeng

Let’s jump straight in! Who is Gaidaa as a person, and as an artist?

Gaidaa as a person and Gaidaa as an artist are really the same exact person I would say [laughs]. I don’t think I could compartmentalise the two as I sing about the things that are ‘Gaidaa’s’ (or my) life, I also don’t have a different name for being an artist, it’s all me. But who is Gaidaa then? [laughs], yeah, that’s a question I can’t really answer – I don’t know yet because I’m still figuring it out. Ultimately, I am, and would like for her to be someone who cares, someone who loves the music for what it is, and just wants to share that with the world.

What has your road to success looked like so far, and what has it taught you?

My road to success has pretty much been a roller coaster to be honest [laughs], I mean I’m definitely still on that road, but it’s been very, very bumpy but also fast somehow - I don’t know how that works together [laughs]. But honestly, it’s been hard, t’s been really hard, but it’s also been really rewarding. It’s a weird in-between thing where it’s been really exciting and taught me a lot about independence, and really finding my voice and having faith in the fact that things don’t happen overnight but that it will eventually happen. I think that’s kind of something that’s been really part of my journey, is just having faith and letting my hope remain in something that’s not really tangible, you know? Cause I had to do a lot of explaining of that too a lot of people around me, I remember I used to say “you’re going to see me working, and there’s not going to be any fruits for a long time, so I know it might seem like bull**** but I swear I’m working towards something. I don’t know how, and I can’t tell you exactly what that thing is right now”, but you know it’s been really exciting, really rewarding, I’ve met so many people who I consider family now.

Really, I guess what it taught me, which I guess I knew already, but was reiterated is that 1: it really takes a village, and it’s so important to have good people around you - that is just key. 2: not only is it good to have good people around you, but you need to be able to trust the people around you, and you need to feel like you are able to be yourself. I guess it’s not really a music lesson but I learned a lot of human things from those experiences - so yeah that was really dope, but I also definitely learned to just to nurture my headspace and stand my ground, and just hold a different role and to push pride away, and ego and a lot of things like that.