This story originally appeared in i-D’s The New Wave Issue, no. 373, Fall/Winter 2023. Order your copy here.
Kendrick Lamar
What is your purpose in creating music? What do you hope for?
Whenever I reconnect with the process of making music, it’s something that feels absolutely essential, like I could stay in that moment of creating forever. It’s like being in a different realm. It grounds me, and it bookmarks moments in my life, it actually gives me purpose.
FKA Twigs
I think you have one of the most genuinely beautiful and authentic singing voices in music right now. Sometimes when we have worked together it’s brought secret tears to my eyes. When was the first time you sang properly for somebody and what was their reaction?
Firstly I’d just like to say that means a lot coming from you. You’ve been a North Star of creativity, one of the most inspiring people to work with, and I really appreciate that. Funnily enough, the first time I remember getting a reaction from singing was when I sang Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” [while playing] on the piano at home for my parents. It felt like most of the time I was annoying my mum but when she overheard that she was like “Ohhhh, Sampha!” I felt like I got her attention. That and “Let’s Stay Together” [by Al Green]. It always means something when your parents react as if you’re always waiting for their approval.
Lil Silva
What makes you smile and what’s the square root?
Seeing family or good friends, especially when I’ve not seen them for a while, will always bring a smile to my face. And I guess the square root of that is connection. But you’ve also seen me when something really awkward happens and I know I shouldn’t smile. There’s something about those awkward situations, some kind of nervous reaction, where I have to really try and fight a smile off.
Kwes
If you had no choice but to play another instrument other than the keys, what would it be?
It’d have to be drums… which I do dabble in but the amount of effort and focus is almost too intense! I feel they’re a really spiritual instrument to play. When I do, it kind of overtakes my whole body.
Kwake Bass
How do you feel your approach to vocals has been influenced by rap?
Yeah, a lot. I listen to a lot of rap but never thought I could really rap myself — it’d make me shudder whenever I’d attempt to do it. But I’ve definitely become more comfortable experimenting with the cadence and rhythms associated with rap.
Ghetts
What do you feel like your purpose is in this realm?
I guess to move around energy! I’m just part of a chain and at times my purpose is to protect my family — at others it’s to look outwards and show empathy, and share the things I can with other people.
Ragz Originale
Has making music as a father had any impact on the way you created the album? And I love the new live set-up, it’s fresh! What led you and the band in this direction?
It’s completely changed how I make music — both in terms of subject matter and also the practicalities of balancing being a musician and father. It’s opened up my horizons and put everything in perspective. The level of patience I’ve had to acquire being a father has definitely helped me with problem solving — how to approach a studio session or even structure a song. And thank you—I appreciate it. My ethos has always been to try and play music as live as possible, trying to foster as much synergy as possible between the musicians and the audience. Everyone in the band is singing as well as playing instruments and that’s quite a challenge but it feels fresh to me.
Benji B
Has there ever been a DJ set you heard, a nightclub you went to, a live gig or concert that connected with you so strongly that it rewired your musical DNA forever? If so, where and when?
That’s a hard one! I saw Alice Smith playing an intimate piano show in Los Angeles and it was just mind-blowing, the level of emotion in her voice and performance. Also seeing Kendrick perform up close when we did Saturday Night Live together. Just seeing him move, his musical genius, and seeing how he’s progressing in the performance arena was just so inspiring. That’s a massive reference for me. I’m being genuine here, not just because you’ve asked me the question, but there have also been numerous Benji B DJ sets you’re one of my favourite DJs and Deviation is one of my favourite ever club nights. I feel like it’s a place that’s very aligned to my taste.
Headie One
What is the main drive behind the emotion that is put into your music?
Music for me just feels like some kind of special phenomenon, something that expresses emotion like nothing else can. It’s like magic, especially thinking about the piano and how much I can channel my emotions through it.
Grace Wales Bonner
I understand Lahai is in some ways an ode to your grandfather, and to past generations no longer with us physically. I wondered what you hope the record will reveal for future generations of your family — for your daughter, your future grandchildren and perhaps for those not yet with us?
If I think about my daughter listening to this record, I’d like her to take away the idea that self-discovery or exploration is ok, that being yourself or exploring yourself is a valid act and that it’s ok to not be perfect and ok to feel like an amateur sometimes. I’m on my own kind of self-discovery journey, exploring my spirituality and connections, so I’d like the album to be a way of her getting to know me more. Maybe there’ll be things in the album that she’ll connect with in the future and they can become part of her journey.
Kelsey Lu
I was reading about how you were taking an interest in particle physics and entropy while making the album, and it’s interesting imagining the correlation between that and performing or experimenting on these different mechanical instruments, measuring how many ways to rearrange the object or in this case the music, but still keep it essentially the same. How much importance do you place on allowing room for jamming (or as I like to refer to it as ‘experimental spirit movement’) when it comes to performing live or even in the recording process?
I always allow a lot of room to find the feeling and connect to things emotionally. Everything is discovery and you’re just codifying that discovery as you go along. I always try to be fluid, even if I have a concept or end goal. I try not to get too attached, it’s good to see where things take you. I enjoy using the live shows as a kind of writing and remixing space.
Caius Pawson
You can record a one-take album in space, who’s in the band?
Björk, Andre 3000, Sun Ra, Stevie Wonder.
Richard Russell
Do you ever wish people saw you more for the producer and beat-maker you are rather than being so focused on you as a singer?
I used to, and every now and then I still feel like that, as I definitely put as much into the production as I do the lyrics. But I’m at the point now where I recognise the story is more important than the author. I’d definitely like to produce more for other people so I am always happy when people appreciate my production work, but in terms of my ego, I’m good.
Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz of Ibeyi
What is the difference between the creative process of making your own music versus producing someone else or featuring on their track?
I get more into my own head with my own stuff — which can be a positive and a negative! I do enjoy helping other people realise their vision though. It can be liberating to not be the main focus sometimes!
Kamasi Washington
What’s one of the biggest non-musical sources of inspiration you pull from when writing music?
Some of the most inspiring ideas come from conversations with people, because snippets of conversation can send me onto a stream of consciousness about a particular subject. I currently write things down in Notes on my phone but really need to buy a notepad—less messy and would feel more special. Documentaries, films and books too. There were a few books that really inspired me around the time I was making the album — Michael Graziano’s Rethinking Consciousness, Michelle M. Wright’s Physics of Blackness and Carlo Rovelli’s The Order of Time in particular.
SBTRKT
One of many things that we first bonded over when we met was this Mini CD I had on my shelf. I remember you telling me you found this same Mini CD randomly laying in a park and the artwork made you pick it up and the music sounded like nothing else on first listen! What is something else you have come across which opened a new window for you, but may not be immediately obvious to anyone else?
Ha, the Mini CD you’re talking about is Rooty by Basement Jaxx, which I found in a park—the white gorilla on the cover just kind of jumped out. But I’d say watching Birdman spearheaded me into getting really into cinematography and started to influence how I interpreted music and rhythm visually. I bought a Blackmagic camera around that time and have been learning since (and started directing my first pieces this year).
George Riley
I can’t wait to hear the song you made with Léa Sen! Match made in heaven. How did that collaboration come about and what’s your favourite song of hers?
I first came across Léa when Speakers Corner Quartet played a show at the Barbican and brought out loads of collaborators from their album. She opened the set and it was incredible, just angelic. When I had this track, I just thought she’d be the perfect fit, and she was. In terms of favourite track, can I have two? I Feel Like “I’m Blue” and “Hyasynth”.