- Words Lucy O'Brien
'Pop-Trap' artist Remi Lewis dishes on her tipple of choice, style icons, love of sushi and goals for 2022.
Welcome to Fresh Face, a quick-fire interview series spotlighting the best rising talents in today’s youthful music scene. From biggest pet peeves to party tricks and death row meals, we’re stripping things back from the formal Q&A format. Think of it like speed dating, but with some of the freshest music makers worth discovering.
Strutting into the pop-scene with platform boots and a colourful Bratz-like aesthetic, Remi Lewis is making waves with her distinct Y2K and R&B-influenced sound. And following the success of her latest release “No Escape”, the artist is showing no signs of stopping.
Born in London but raised in Brooklyn, Lewis kick-started her career as a creative after attending Brooklyn High School of the Arts while selling her Y2K vintage finds.
Her journey from there was anything but slow; from performing in iconic New York City venues such as The Apollo and Rough Trade to modelling for brands such as Fenty, Jeffrey Campbell, KVD Beauty and Puma, Lewis has been no stranger to the creative industry since she first taught herself to play piano at 14.
Lewis’ music has been predicated on the sound of 2000s girl-boss icons like Gwen Stefani, Aaliyah, Nelly Furtado and Lily Allen. Her first two releases “Spacey” and “No Escape” are laced with similar messages of self-empowerment and celebrating femininity, set against a backtrack of catchy trap beats and hints of 2000’s inspired R&B rhythm – a style that she came to define as “Pop-Trap”.
After working on the music videos for these tracks with her favourite female creatives, director Agusta Yr and designer Uzumaki Capeda, Lewis’ Y2K-inspired technicolour visuals complement her sound and aesthetic perfectly.
With a career and social presence on the rise and a sound we can’t get enough of, Notion sat down with Remi Lewis to ask the questions we really wanted to know.
Looking back, how was 2021 for you?
I think 2021 was a challenging year for most people and there were definitely some highs and some lows, but I was lucky enough that it ended on a positive note as I released my first singles and videos – “Spacey” and “No Escape”.
Biggest goal for 2022?
More music! I’m finishing up my first EP and about to shoot my next video – it’s going to have a really cool Y2K vibe to it. I’m also an avid thrifter so I’m looking to start a resale online store – it’s going to be very vintage Y2K inspired but also some of my own designs. And definitely collaborating with more female creatives – that’s the coolest, most inspiring thing for me!
Who’s your style icon?
I have so many – Gwen Stefani, Paris Hilton in The Simple Life, Aaliyah and Devon Aoki’s character in The Fast and the Furious are some of my faves.
Wildest thing that’s happened to you lately?
I’m somewhat of an adrenaline junky so I jumped off this cliff in Jamaica into the ocean. Maybe that’s not too wild but I felt daring 😉
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Sushi – it’s healthy, there is a lot of variety and I love seafood.
Have you got a party trick?
I can do a really good impression of The Purge siren!
What’s your drink of choice?
A lot of people find this gross but a Bloody Mary.
What does being in love feel like for you?
When I look into my dog Fargo’s eyes! Just kidding, love feels amazing when you’re in it and tough when it ends – but that makes for great songwriting inspo.
Never have I ever…
Swam with sharks but I think they are so cute! Is that weird?!
What are you currently obsessed with?
I love taking film photos so right now I’m experimenting with lots of different types of film. And I also just binged all the Guy Richie movies, they are so good.
What is your biggest pinch-me moment so far?
So there was a female director whose work I was obsessed with – Agusta Yr [@iceicebabyspice]. I DM’d her saying I would love to work with her, not even really expecting anything to happen but she loved the song I sent her and we collaborated on my “No Escape” video – a retro Barbie x Jane Fonda work-out video inspired world.
Oh and also at my first performance of my new music people actually knew the words to my songs. I was like, wow people are listening and liking it!!!