EQUATE Premiere: Babé Sila

After an exciting 2020 which saw the release of her critically acclaimed debut EP, London-based singer-songwriter Babé Sila now returns with a brand new single, premiering exclusively on EQUATE today. Titled ‘Rainbow’, the stirring track is accenting the importance of self-love and living life on your own terms - without fitting into any social norm. With its integrated queer message, the single comes right in time for Pride Month.

The songstress, who initially started her musical journey as part of a jazz-soul band in Budapest, and takes her inspiration from the likes of Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys, Sade and Aretha Franklin, has again shown us that her talent is undeniable - her emotive, honest storytelling and wonderfully soulful vocals are truly a match made in heaven.

Ahead of the single release, the gifted songstress gave us a deeper insight into the background behind the new single, her favourite artists and what she thinks about performing at Primavera Sound Online.

Read the full interview below…

EQ: Hey Babé Sila, how did you first get into music?

BS: I was 20 when I first sang along to one of my best friends playing guitar, and he encouraged me to join his soul-jazz band. The joy I found in singing was so overwhelming that I slowly let it take over everything. I quit my day job and my career in sociology, and started performing with them regularly. At some point I teamed up with amazing producers to write my own songs and released two LPs in 2 years, with which I made a name for myself in my home country, Hungary. My success at home inspired me to try my luck at the international music scene so I started attending showcases, and moved to Berlin where I established my creative community, then later to London for it’s vibrant R&B scene.

EQ: So, talk us through your brand new single ‘Rainbow’!

BS: I wrote Rainbow some time ago with two good friends (Wanja Janeva and Dhanya Langer) on a beautiful summer day in Berlin. When I decided to release it I worked on it further with Matt Rist and Tender Games. The song is about my journey to self-love and acceptance. I wrote the lyrics after a long period of being alone, just spending time reflecting on myself and the world around me.

In writing this song I am promising to love myself no matter what. Colouring my own rainbow is a queer hint - my love life is a bit unconventional and not necessarily fitting into a socially accepted norm, so I find I am explaining myself a lot. In this song I intend to declare that everyone has the right to colour their own rainbow - to decide who and design how they love.

EQ: You’re due to perform at Primavera Sound online this year, so exciting. What are your thoughts on performing for a virtual audience?

BS: I am extremely excited for this performance - this is going to be my first international “big” festival concert. As much as I would have loved to travel to Barcelona with my band to play live I find the virtual opportunity quite nice actually: being on the same virtual platform with huge artists feels incredible and also very democratic in a way (hehe). This also gave me the chance to plan, pre-record and edit my show - making sure it’ll look and sound perfect for such an important appearance.

EQ: Which songs are you listening to non-stop right now?

BS: One of my favorite songs now are Biig Piig-Feels right (because it makes me feel like summer inside). I recently discovered Latanya Alberto’s music and her song with JAEL called “Comfortable” is playing in my mind a lot. On my ‘on repeat playlist’ there’s also: Baby This Love I Have by Minnie Riperton, Fuck yo feelings by Robert Glasper&Yebba, In your arms by Cleo Sol, Burn by Jorja Smith and I listen to a lot of Joao Gilberto, Khruangbin and Erykah Badu always, every day.

EQ: Finally, what else have you been working on that you can share with us?

BS: I am working on an EP that I write mostly from last summer’s bittersweet memories. Nostalgia, love and sun will be starring. There will be lots of interludes, harmonies and heavy feelings in light packaging. Due to the pandemic I compose most of the songs alone so it’ll be very personal and 100% me.

Listen to ‘Rainbow’ below!

Soundcloud/Babé Sila

Pre-Save ‘Rainbow’ ahead of its release tomorrow HERE

Follow Babé Sila on socials:

Instagram:@babesila

Facebook: @babesila