'5 Questions With': Halima
"I have the power to realise my thoughts, and that’s why I write, as a means to further become myself; through process and discovery.”
Halima is the London and Lagos-bred, New York based producer/artist. Having grown up on Pop punk, RnB, Neo Soul, Brit-Pop and spending her childhood in various countries, her sound is nostalgic and eclectic. Recently, Halima returned with her brand-new track, ‘Break’. Radiating an effortless and undeniable array of rawness and honesty, “Break,” tells the story of an ode to shattered love. Through vulnerability, decay, unlearning and humility that same love becomes revival. Halima’s cherubim voice leaves a mark in the listener’s conscience, reminding them whatever breaks you, makes you stronger. Making vulnerability a key marker in her craft, she speaks on when she discovered music was her path “I suddenly became conscious of the fact that art was this thing that moved people and I wanted to be a part of it.” “I moved to London at a young age, and it changed the way I expressed myself. I started writing songs to be understood.” We speak to the artist-on-the-rise and as her 5 questions on the music, creative freedom, and what’s to come next.
Read the feature below…
Interview by Danielle Temeng
EQ: Hi Halima, welcome to EQUATE. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got your start in music? Would you say you grew up in a musical household?
H: I bought my first guitar when I was 10. I saved up my pocket money for a month (which was like 20 pounds) and I got the first one I saw in the Argos catalogue. My mum wasn’t keen at first but then saw it grow into a genuine passion. She loves music. She’s my toughest critic but it’s fair, she’s heard the music of some of my idols live. My parents are fans of art, and they wouldn’t consider themselves creative but I do. They are 1000% the reason I can be.
EQ: If you could describe your sound in only three words, which would they be and why?
H: 1. Ahhhh; 2. *stank face*; 3. mmmm. It’s all feeling [laughs].
EQ: Your music is raw, real, and unfiltered and has become an emotional outlet for you in a way. Does this ever make it tough to release your art into the world?
H: It’s tough to release my art into the world because I’m sensitive. But it’s also my way to connect to people that feel the same.
EQ: I loved the natural and nostalgic feel in your visuals for ‘Break’ and your vocals on it are so silky I could listen all day. What was the inspiration behind the single, because outside of the smiles on the visuals it’s actually quite a heartbreaking song. It felt like an “I’m over you, living my best life” video in response.
H: Thank you 🙂 The video was honestly a product of the song. After ending a relationship I was really busy with music and was traveling a bunch with friends - looking back at the footage I realised that I sort of lived out the promise in the song - that even though things had ended, it didn’t mean goodbye to love. Love still existed in my friendships and in self-discovery and life. And that time really taught me that, so I wanted to share it.
EQ: What are you looking forward to doing once the world opens up again? Do you have any more musical plans for the rest of 2021, and are there any exclusives you can let us in on?
H: Traveling, I miss Lagos. But I’m looking forward to sharing my EP. It should be out next month 🙂
Watch the visualizer for ‘Break’…
YouTube/HALIMA
Stream ‘Break’ HERE
Keep up with Halima on socials
Instagram: @1pgmusic