Digital Cover: RIMON is Daring You to Be Different

Navigating your twenties feels like walking a tightrope of possibilities. Some embrace the joys of parenthood, while others hop from one job to another, travelling in search of meaning. Some chase fleeting thrills into the night, while others wake up for pilates and green juices. If you’re caught in a tug-of-war, then RIMON’s debut album Children of the Night will resonate.

“Children of the Night is about the universe and the contrasting feelings we go through in life,” she explains during our midday phone call, her voice tinged with passion. To put it frankly, RIMON is facing a dilemma. Like many others in their twenties, she’s torn between lifestyles. And unfortunately, adopting differing values seems inconceivable. “I’m on the cusp of the two worlds and their extremes!”, she says. “Part of me craves that youthfulness and recklessness I had when I was younger, but on the other hand I long for the stability and peace that comes with a healthier lifestyle.”

This inner conflict —the push and pull between different versions of herself—constructs her highly-awaited album. Charismatic yet raw, Children of the Night is an honest portrayal of RIMON’s journey, capturing the recklessness that comes with youth and the burden of responsibility that dawns years late. It’s a rebellious tale, where synthesisers serve not just as instrumental, but as liberating conduits for self-expression, channelling the thrill of sneaking out past bedtime and discovering the sweet taste of freedom.

“Rebellion is in my DNA,” quips RIMON. “Even as a kid, I never did as I was told. It caused me a lot of trouble, but it’s just who I am.” Whilst rebellion is woven into the fabric of her being, so is movement. Born in Eritrea, RIMON’s childhood was a whirlwind of motion, bouncing between refugee camps in Germany and the Netherlands, before eventually settling in a small village on the outskirts of Amsterdam. Her upbringing was far from ordinary—chaotic, even—but instead of acknowledging its turbulence, RIMON seeks out the silver lining, cherishing those moments of hardship.

Her 2022 single, ‘Build Me a House’, captures this paradox. The lyrics weave a compelling narrative about finding comfort in discomfort and even thriving in turmoil. The track exudes a bluesy vibe, and heavy synths propel the story forward, all whilst smooth melodies reverberate with a boisterous production—a hint to RIMON’s continued growth amid life’s adversities.

“As a child, I was surrounded by so many cultures. The camps were so diverse, we had so many neighbours. It’s impacted who I am today and the way I approach things. I can see things from other perspectives and I carry that into my music.” But it wasn’t until her family settled in their village in Amsterdam, where unbeknownst to a young RIMON, her music journey would take shape, all courtesy of her uncle’s array of burnt CDs he would gift her. Packed with anything from reggaeton to hip-hop and soul, every track opened a new door, and this eclecticism would eventually become the backbone of her artistry.

Her teens were fuelled by a diet of Frank Ocean and The Weeknd and their influence is evident in her debut single, ‘Grace’. It announced her arrival with a bang: a bright, confident blend of R&B and neo-soul, with flashes of dancehall slipping through like sunlight between clouds. “Back then, I didn’t care about genres,” she laughs. “If I liked a beat, I’d write on it, no matter what it was.” This creative freedom is palpable throughout her early work. From the upbeat bounce of ‘Grace’ to the shadowy allure of ‘Nighttime’ and the Caribbean-inspired rhythms of ‘Realize’, it was evident from the start that her sound was vast, and much like RIMON herself, carried a style that could never be boxed in.

At 27 years old, her sound is maturing much like her age. “I’m learning to understand myself more,” she admits. “Hip-hop was always my first love, but now I know how to blend that with soul and grit.” And while her sound may evolve, one thing remains constant: her ability to write with a vulnerability that cuts to the bone. Each lyric feels like a confession, each song a window into her world, where themes of love, pain, and self-acceptance intertwine with a synergy like no other.

Take her latest single, ‘City’s Burning’. A haunting R&B track underpinned by dark piano chords and smoky melodies, its portrayal of heartbreak, and frustration is spellbinding and ruptures any catharticism. “It’s like the movie The Purge,” RIMON says mischievously. “It’s my moment of not caring anymore. A summary of every person that fucked me over and took advantage of my kindness. After being put into situations that weren’t good for me, I eventually got to a boiling point. For once, I’m not being the nice girl I’ve always been.” The song channels a kind of primal rage, born from a lifetime of being told to stay polite, to keep her emotions in check. “For so long, I felt like I had to be this morally correct person, or I wouldn’t be taken seriously,” she reflects.

This rebellion, this shedding of the “good girl” persona, is a theme woven into the deeper meaning of many of RIMON’s projects. “As a woman, we are told to be in control, when we shouldn’t have to be. It’s ok for girls to get angry, to cuss, to lose control,” RIMON declares. This rebellious energy seeps into her style as well. Fashion, for RIMON, is a canvas for identity. She gravitates toward androgyny, choosing loose, gender-fluid pieces that speak to her sense of balance, rather than conforming to stereotypes of tight dresses and high heels. Her recent collaboration with G-STAR x Ottolinger for G-STAR’s THE DENIM series unites three creative forces from different areas of culture, aligning over a nonconforming ethos and G-STAR’S denim heritage. “As a Dutch brand, I’ve always admired G-STAR for operating on such a global level. That’s exactly where I want to take my music.”

With three EPs to her name, the world has witnessed RIMON’s artistic prowess. Her 2021 EP, Digital Tears, saw her whisk up a dreamy blend of ethereal beats and gritty emotion, while her earlier works, I Shine, You Shine and BBYGIRL FOCU$, saw her navigate the intricacies of love, ambition, and self-worth. However, Children of the Night is different. It marks a turning point in RIMON’s life, a new chapter, where every note and lyric feels like a declaration of who she is, and where she’s going. “I was still young when I realised my EP’s. I was still figuring things out. I needed time to observe and understand who I am and what I stand for. For Children of The Night, I took my time to understand my insecurities and figure out what I really want.”

Before the album drops, RIMON is offering fans a taste of what’s yet to come with her single, ‘Make Money’, featuring Mereba. The track, driven by a classic R&B beat, taps into a feeling familiar to many children of immigrants: the weight of expectation, and the pressure to succeed. “I’ve always felt like I owe my success to my mum,” RIMON explains. “She gave up so much for me. But this song is about breaking the bank, freeing yourself from that guilt and enjoying life.” It’s a celebration of ambition, of daring to dream big, of unapologetically claiming space in a world that so often tries to shrink you.

With newfound confidence, RIMON is stepping into her power. “For so long, I downplayed my ambitions. I thought if just a few people knew my songs, that would be good enough,” she reflects. “Now I want to be touring worldwide and reach as many people as I can. I deserve to aim for the stars and think as big as possible. I’m done with downplaying myself just to make others feel comfortable,” she remarks candidly.

An hour slips by—what felt like mere minutes—signalling the inevitable end of our conversation. Yet, what lingers is the undeniable sense that Children of the Night won’t just mark another step in RIMON’s rise— it has the potential to drive her career to newfangled territories. If her previous work is any indication, the album is poised to be a celebration of freedom with her innate authenticity taking centre stage.

“There are too many people in the world doing things they don’t want to do,” RIMON says. “My biggest fear is looking back and realising I never tried. That’s what this album is about. Listen to your gut. Defy expectations. Shape your life the way you see it,” She pauses as if letting the weight of her words sink in, and with the kind of fierce determination that only comes from true self-belief, she declares, “Set your world on fire. Be bold.”

 ‘Make Money’ featuring Mereba is out October 18th.