- Words Notion Staff
Rising Birmingham star SIPHO. tells us all about his search for the good life and why he'd love to play himself in a movie.
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.
SIPHO. has burst out of the gates with confidence and style. The 22-year-old artist has used his voice to tell much-needed stories of Black masculine vulnerability and the struggles that entails, using music as a medium for hard truths.
He has said, “It started off as a study of hyper-masculinity after some kids tried to rob me and threatened to stab me. What drives this hold of violence and dominance over us as men, young and old? As I wrote, it naturally came back to love, and furthermore the way this behaviour impacts the women in our lives. Something a lot of us have seen in the men around us, be it fathers, brothers, uncles, etc., and the way the women around them were affected, while also still supporting in some cases. Some of this may trickle down to the next generations – we see bits of it in ourselves as young men, less potent but still present.”
SIPHO. has taken cues from the likes of Frank Ocean and Solange, but his message is his own. With his new EP ‘She Might Bleed’ now out, he has also filmed a new COLORS show, which you can watch here. He’s an artist that’s here to stay, and it’s clear he has so many stories to tell.
To commemorate his recent success, we caught up with SIPHO. to find out about his mantras, his style icons, his creative development and his favourite meals.
If you could bring three music icons to a dinner party, dead or alive, who would you bring?
Tyler [The Creator], Rocky and Frank Ocean because I know they know how to eat good and they seem to have enough sense not to act a fool just cos they’re rich. Some of these people from back in the day were doing way too much.
One thing you want to change about the music industry?
Letting stupid people in.
How have you developed creatively over the past year?
I’ve learned how to keep my work rate up even when everything you’re making feels terrible and just to keep pursuing an idea even when you feel like doing it later.
Three things that inspire you outside of music?
The food I eat, the company I keep and movies I watch.
What’s your life mantra?
Why are you taking this so seriously? There’s literally no rules.
Who is your style icon?
A little Dennis Rodman, A little Tyler [The Creator], and Depop girls.
Finish the sentence: I feel happiest when…
I take a walk and listen to some tunes (so when everyone leaves me alone basically).
What song always gets you hyped when you hear it in the club?
“Big Ole Freak” (catch me in the middle of the dancefloor, drink in hand).
Who would play you in a film?
Me (kinda like how Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen do and I love it).
Wildest thing that’s happened to you lately?
Being able to make music for a living, and be creative with people I enjoy being around.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Bit of chicken, salad and rice, cos you can never go wrong with a bit of chicken.
Biggest goal for 2022?
Yo listen, I’m just trying to travel, eat good and work work work.