Few artists are willing to sit in the uncomfortable spaces that exist between love and self-preservation quite like Birmingham's ROZZZQWEEN. On her latest single 'Praise Me', the rising alternative R&B artist explores the emotional contradiction of knowing someone is wrong for you while still desperately wanting them to stay.
Blending soulful melodies, alternative R&B textures and brutally honest songwriting, the track captures the moment before the ending; when logic and emotion are pulling in opposite directions and neither side is ready to give in. It's a theme that perfectly reflects ROZZZQWEEN's growing reputation for saying the things many people feel but rarely admit out loud.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I ever fell in love with was a trumpet. The way it sounded just tickled my senses all over. I would often even try and mimic a trumpet vocally because I just loved the way a trumpet could go into vibrato. My first instrument even inspired the way I sing but I actually sold my trumpet for weed.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was younger I was obsessed with Ray Charles. I watched the Ray movie and became obsessed with the blues. Something felt so real and raw about it. I also loved Lauryn Hill and Duffy. I loved music that made me feel something. I couldn’t explain what I was feeling at the time due to not having that kind of vernacular at a young age but I knew I felt it.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I ever owned was a Ms Dynamite cassette with her entire album on it. It was a cassette my Dad had bought and he knew I loved it so much as I always wanted to hear it playing in his car so eventually he gave it to me to play at home because he was entirely fed up of me requesting Ms Dynamite on every single car ride.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
The one song I truly wish I could have written myself was by the Queen Amy Whinehouse some unholy war. The lyrics have always resonated me since I heard them and the way the song is executed just fits perfectly in my vocal range and I just love the selflessness within the lyrics.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I regularly journal in my diary like I’m fifteen sometimes. I have this idea that if someone ever found my diary or I died I’d want them to have a really fun time reading it so I make sure that my diary is entertaining and witty and by the time I’ve written down what’s going on and happening in my life, it’s somehow whimsical and poetic.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
My favourite artists that I’m listening to at the moment are artists such as Kamauu, Young Roddo, Alfa Mist and Mannywellz.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
If I could open a show for anyone in the world I’d be honoured to open for Adele. I feel as though we’re in similar lanes when it comes to men. I’ve found myself one too many times just asking myself the question what is it about men? Adele is very much herself on stage and finds a way to pour out her heart with comical storytelling abilities.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The most rewarding part about musicianship is that I am immortalised no matter what. I love that 100 years from now someone can google me and find my music. I may not be here but my music will live on forever and hopefully they’ll be able to find something in my music that can relate to them. I also find goosebumps rewarding because I take it as a sign that music moves people. If music can give a human goosebumps, then it means music is more powerful than words and instrumentation. It’s touching something we can’t even see.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating part of being a musician is being in an industry dominated by algorithms. You can have a great song, great content that you’re pushing regularly but if the algorithm decides your song won’t do well then it won’t. A lot of musicians are having to turn into content creators to push their music. Can you imagine asking Nina Simone or Luciano Pavarotti to do TikTok challenges to boost their career?
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
The best piece of advice I ever received as a musician came from my manager Adrian. He told me that writing constantly and making music is great but it’s important to live your life to the fullest in between so you can actually have something to write about.
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ROZZZQWEEN's new single 'Praise Me' is out now. Check it out in the player below.