EQUATE .LSTNS SAMIRA TAKEOVER
...our specially curated playlist by Samira
Meet Samira - For the past year, the former West End star and talented dancer has been putting in the work in the studio, collaborating with top writers and renowned producers to get her music out there. While you may remember the talented artist from Love Island, the songstress has shifted her vision to her one true love: Music. After her critically acclaimed 90’s cover ‘I Love Your Smile‘, she released her long awaited debut single ‘Like This, Like That’ earlier this year. Now, she is following up with her sophomore single ‘That’s Not What My Friends Say‘, a fun, up-beat dance-pop anthem produced by DJ Welshy.
With her incredible talent and unwavering drive, there is no doubt that Samira is well on her way to becoming a true pop icon. So keep your eyes and ears peeled for this rising star - because she is definitely one to watch!
For her playlist takeover this week, she talks to us about all things music influences, creative processes and more. Her song picks are a true celebration of 00’s pop!
EQ: Your brand new single is out now, what can you tell us about the creative process about it?
S: It was such a fun day with Welshy and Evalina who I wrote the song with! We had such a laugh talking about our experiences with sneaky partners and how our friends would always have our backs and see the red flags before we did. I wanted to write a song that gave off strong independent women, girl power energy that had the same kind of lyrical vibe as those late 90’s, early 00’s ‘finger wagging’ R&B anthems I love - ‘No Scrubs’, ‘Bust Your Windows’, ‘Bills Bills Bills’ etc. We ended up with something really upbeat and tongue and cheek.
EQ: Where do you take most inspiration from for your songs?
S: Lyrically, most of my songs are either somewhat autobiographical, or based on situations friends of mine have been in. Sonically, I love 00’s pop girls - pop music in the 2000’s was such a huge vibe, those big pop girls like Britney, Gwen, and Rihanna threw everything at their music and the songs were always so catchy, and so well written! I take a lot of inspiration from their sound when I’m writing, for me they were the OG’s of pop!
EQ: The song is quite the pop banger. When you first launched your solo career, did you find it challenging to find your signature sound or did it come about quite naturally?
S: I’ve always loved pop and dance music and considering my background as a dancer it made sense to try and combine the two. I think starting out in anything it’s a process to find who you really are and your sound. The biggest issue really, early on, was going into sessions and collaborators having their own idea and preconceptions of who I should be, there was lots of pressure to go straight up R&B. I love R&B, but I’m a bit of a magpie - I wanted my music to have a bit of everything, to borrow from lots of places. What I love about my songs, they have elements of loads of different styles, there are some R&B and island vibes to come from my catalogue, but all with a pop slant to them.
EQ: What else are you currently working on that you can share with us?
S: I’m constantly writing and recording, and there’s more music to come throughout the summer, which should lead to an EP release. And then, once there’s enough music out in the world I’m hoping to start doing live shows and performances. I love performing, so can’t wait to see people singing and dancing to my songs.
EQ: Last but not least, what are three tracks that you are currently listening to on repeat apart?
S: Anything by Rosalia - I’m loving BESO right now!
Eliza Rose - B.O.T.A
Rihanna - Kiss It Better
