Monthly newspaper and online publication targeting 18 to 35 year olds. The ultimate guide to the hottest parties, going out and having fun. Music, fashion, film, travel, festivals, technology, comedy, and parties! London, Barcelona, Miami and Ibiza.
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/903274
When did you know music was your calling? Apparently, my mum says I de- clared my love for music at age 5! I was always encouraged to sing in the church choir and looked up to my mum who is a singer also. I re- alised it was what I really wanted to pursue when I started writing songs. I always kept a diary from a young age so turning my thoughts into melodies came naturally. I found the therapeutic feeling ad- dictive and it just stemmed from there. You've said that your journey in life has been your "main source of inspiration," what lessons has life taught you? So far the strongest lessons have been about acceptance and being unapologetic whilst growing into the woman I am. We forget this often and perfection becomes the goal. I've slowly started to let go of that. I don't believe you can grow to be perfect because you then ignore the differences and uniqueness that only you can express and these differences keep you out of that box and that's a good thing. Forgiveness is a strong one as well and the judg- ment of that, you'd be surprised how people judge a forgiving indi- viduals actions. Life and marriage have taught me loads in those departments too and I'm grateful. How have these lessons impacted your music? They have impacted my music cause what I write is what I feel. Pretty self-explanatory. I'm stron- ger and willing to tell my story of emotional growth and discovery. So is there anything in your life that you would go back and change? I used to be pretty open on social media about trials and tribulations romantically, I kinda wish I'd kept quiet about some things cause they still come back to haunt me from time to time. It's weird cause the world is very unforgiving so even when you are over said situa- tion, healed and ready to move on, outsiders may not feel the same. I know now that it is best to avoid making emotional decisions in a public domain. Call a friend or few would be my advice to the next girl. Tell us about your single 'Leave Me Be'? 'Leave Me Be' is about meet- ing people where they are on their journey. Explaining the fact that we are all fighting different battles and interact in our own ways socially so you should allow people to be as they are. How we perceive people may be wrong as we judge by our own standards. 'Leave me be' isn't an anti-social statement it's about acceptance. What can we expect from the up- coming album Brown Eyed Soul? Brown Eyed Soul is very auto- biographical, soulful and honest. I wrote about things I was once afraid to speak on and now feel comfortable to do so. It was im- portant for me to create an album which is true to me cause it's my very first one. Listening to this will be like reading my diary and that excites me! What do you bring that's special? I don't think that's my place to say. My listener's supporters can give that opinion. I'm just a brown eyed girl singing a lil bit of r&b and soul music and loving it. You believe that success is about the journey and not the destina- tion, how successful has your 2017 journey been so far? I feel like there is a lot more awareness around my project now. Lots more radio support and media coverage surrounding my current release especially. I think people are starting to realise I'm back, ready to launch a new proj- ect with a team and plan in place. Also the messages I've been re- ceiving about 'Leave Me Be' alone have blown my mind. It's a song many Afro/Caribbean women can relate to as well because we are often told we are scary or intimidating when we don't smile 24/7, so it's been nice to receive feedback in that department and bring many of their thoughts feel- ings and emotions to light. Tell us something about you that's weird. I'm the only person that didn't watch Love Island! So what is the message you would like to get across in your music? It's important to have a voice, to speak on issues that matter to you and have that outlet. It's ok to own your emotions and differences. I don't believe in walking on egg shells and apologising for your existence. I don't believe I'm less than because I'm dark skinned. I don't believe you have to be bouncing off the walls 24 hours a day to be seen as a good person. Your dreams don't expire and life doesn't have to end when you get married. There's loads, lots of nug- gets and messages in there. What would you do to make the world a better place? Eradicate racism. What would you fill a swimming pool with if it could be anything? Inflatable cup holders. INTERVIEW CHERRI V 2017 / ISSUE 104 35 HIP HOP & RNB " IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A VOICE, TO SPEAK ON ISSUES THAT MATTER TO YOU AND HAVE THAT OUTLET. " Not one to shy away from matters of the heart Cherri V lets us know how forgiving others, seeing her own worth and not judging others by her standards has impacted her and made her next LP "more soulful and honest." Patience Takyuka | Guestlist follow @cherrivoncelle