Digital Cover Story 27: Amun

West London’s very own Amun has been steadily making a name for herself in the UK music scene. Her 2019 EP ‘Settling Scores’ was a refreshing take on R&B, one that goes as hard as any of the guys rapping and gives a perspective of a female boss, not afraid to show her true emotions. Now, she steps out once again with her brand new project ‘No Ceilings’ – the message is in the name. We caught up with Amun to find out more…

Words by Tahirah Thomas

EQ: Given what we’ve heard from you so far, I think you’re an artist that’s really pioneering a new R’n’B fusion sound for the UK. Where did you get the inspiration to merge new sounds like Drill and Trap with such an iconic and historical genre of American music?

A: I’ve just always loved Hip Hop. I loved the history, the culture, the beats and I wanted my music to give that same feeling that my favourite artists gave to me. It was somewhere between soft sweet melodies on top of hard rap beats where I found my sound and found where I was most comfortable.

EQ: The new EP is called “No Ceilings”, which is so fitting, considering you’re an artist who hasn’t put any limits on her sound. Can you describe what you want this music to do for other people who are also creative and feel the same way?

A: I want people to feel as if they are invincible with this new music. Something so much easier said than done, I feel as though creative people including myself spend so much time worrying about their art than just creating it. That’s the reason I called it ‘No Ceilings’ because I want other creatives to know that there are absolutely no limits to your ideas and what opportunities you can create for yourself if you just let go, let God, and believe in you.

EQ: Creating your own lane in music takes some dedication and skill – are there any producers you worked with on this new project that helped you shape the overall sound? If so, tell us more about those musical partnerships and how they came about?

A: Every song on the project was produced by a different producer, but I think all the producers I worked with on the EP or even work with in general are predominantly rap producers. They have a pretty good understanding of me as an artist and what I like. It’s always great working with like-minded people who share that same musical ear. All the producers on the tape are top tier and I’m so honoured to have worked with them all!

“No matter how many no’s I might hear there are ‘No Ceilings’ and no limits to what I will achieve.”

- AMUN

EQ: Was there one track in particular on this EP that started the whole process? What were your motivations going into writing for this new body of work?

A: I would say ‘Water’. If you listen to that song, the lyrics are about being unapologetically you and embracing your confidence. Even when I go back to the day I recorded the song with Ebenezer there were so many different emotions I was dealing with that day. My anxiety got so bad I didn’t even want to go to the studio. A friend convinced me and said I am going to regret it in the morning, so I got ready and went. I made the track ‘Water’ that day and it became a fast favourite of mine. That really set a tone for me that there are going to be days where I will be down but if I have the right mindset I could never lose. Now I am in the process of applying this to my career. No matter how many no’s I might hear there are ‘No Ceilings’ and no limits to what I will achieve.

EQ: I think it’s so interesting that you’ve included a collection of recorded dialogues to build a wider narrative around the EP; in that way the listening experience feels like asking one of your girls for advice on a relationship. Who were you talking to in these audio snippets and why was it so important to scatter these anecdotes throughout the project?

A: I made the interludes because it was really important to me that the EP flowed like a story and the listeners really knew the messages behind the songs. I was lucky enough to be a part of the RNB Amazon Music Podcast where I met Zeze Mills and we discussed all things RnB. When I decided to do the mini interludes I thought who better to have this conversation with than Zeze. She’s a female who is known for being opinionated and wouldn’t shy away from saying what she thought. When we sat to discuss the records as a female she related to a lot of what I was saying. So it was really natural, like talking to your girls, which is exactly how I wanted it to be.

EQ: One thing that comes through about you across the lyricism in these songs is your self-confidence! Your lyrics rarely seem to come from a place of nervousness or vulnerability; you’re very self-assured. (Which is a super good thing!) Where do you think you cultivated that powerful aura of self-confidence?

A: I’m just trying to speak it into existence. I feel as though because I do have insecurities and suffer from anxiety it’s very important for me to ‘gas myself up’ as I would say. How you feel about yourself and how you speak to yourself is so important and I try to be nice to myself in my music.

EQ: Would you have any advice for other young women who want to channel that confident, bad-b energy that you’ve presented through this music into their personal relationships; whether platonic or romantic?

A: One thing I will tell younger women is, don’t care who doesn’t like you. All that matters is if you like yourself. I struggled with that as a teenager, I wanted to please everybody but the truth is you can’t. All you can do is be responsible for your happiness.

EQ: Do you feel like there are any more glass ceilings in this industry or even in your personal life that you’ve yet to shatter? If so, what do you think it’ll take to shake up the status quo?

A: So many glass ceilings I have my eye on. It’s a process, the music industry is a tough place to be in. When we have a festival in the UK with majority RnB artists, both men and women maybe then I can rest. For now we still have a long way to go, but we move and keep trying!

EQ: This is obviously just the beginning for you! As your musical reach grows, where are you planning on taking your sound in 2022 and beyond?

A: I’m hoping to do my first headline show in 2022. I just want to be in a room with all my supporters singing back to me.

EQ: Lastly, if you had to describe this new music, as well as convince someone who’s never heard your music before to give the EP a spin, in three words - what would they be? (“No Ceilings” is…)

A: ‘No Ceilings’ is fun, sexy, and strong.

Watch the visuals for the lead single ‘1 Call’ below…

Stream her EP ‘No Ceilings’ HERE

Keep up with Amun on socials…

Instagram: @amunartiste

Twitter: @amunartiste

Credits:

Words: Tahirah Thomas

Art Design: Baris Ozdemir

Photography: Eva Pentel

Make-up: Nina Robinson

Styling: Kashmir Wickham