Sola - Mami Wata

Following on from previous single ‘Oh My Love’, ‘Mami Wata’ sonically takes inspiration from Timbaland production and lyrically is about the divine power of a woman’s sensuality. Speaking on the release, Sola said: “There is a strength within feminine sexuality that women are often forced to downplay because it has been seen as a threat to men throughout history. I wanted to explore this through channelling the spirit of ‘Mami Wata’. ‘Mami Wata’ is an enchanting water spirit celebrated in the African diaspora and is similar to the western idea of a mermaid. She brings good fortune and wealth, but is often seen as deadly and dangerous to men because of her seductive prowess.”

Sola’s unique vocal delivery taking inspiration from the likes of Sade and Nina Simone with production drenched with r&b flavours reminiscent of Timbaland or Pharrell. It’s this unique blend that makes Sola such an exciting prospect, both producing and providing vocals for the music she creates. Having played classical piano since the age of 6, it wasn’t until she discovered the raw and unfiltered vocals of Nina Simone several years later that she grew the confidence to accept her own voice and start singing. After a four- year stint at the prestigious New York University, Sola started producing her own music. It was a time she found herself obsessed with Portishead, Massive Attack, and Burial, loving their darker, cinematic qualities and their ability to blur genres. It’s these influences that you can hear in her debut EP ‘Wealth Has Come’, which she affectionately titles ‘warped soul’.

With a new EP confirmed for later this year, if ‘Oh My Love’ and ‘Mami Wata’ are anything to go by, SOLA is definitely a one-to-watch.