[FEATURE] VIPER PRESENTS: SAFIYYAH

One of the most captivating singer-songwriters coming out of west London right now, Safiyyah stops by to get personal with VIPER…

What five words define your sound?

Uplifting, relatable, healing, chill and versatile.

Tell me something unique about your creative process.

Something unique about my creative process is that when it comes to writing it’s mostly freestyled, which I find the most authentic when it comes to creating.

Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?

I’d probably say, ‘Saturdaze’.

What inspired you to make that song?

My Personal experiences at the time, it’s a love song about the honeymoon period, of just wanting to spend all your time with that one special person. My feelings of longing inspired me to put my feelings onto this track.

What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music?

Very vulnerable, I’d probably say the most intimate was the track ‘be someone’ as I touched on subject about my father who isn’t well. So definitely that, as it’s something quite hard to speak about openly.

What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?

Best experience, I don’t really have one. I enjoy every time but one memorable experience was definitely when I performed at the Roundhouse, a venue I grew up going to.

What is your favourite song to perform?

‘Let You In [Remix]’

Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?

This is so hard, I don’t really have something specific but I love Snoh Allegra, The Internet, Kendrick Lamar, Michael Jackson.. so many inspiring people that have made me want to make music.

What’s the meaning behind your name?

My name, Safiyyah so it’s pronounced the normal Sofia way but just changed with an A. It’s an Arabic name, meaning pure and comes from my Moroccan heritage. I just wanted my artist name to be my real name.

If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?

Gosh, definitely not having as much fun that’s for sure. I’d say maybe either working with children or something else that is creative such as art/drawing or dancing.

What’s success to you?

Success to me, is feeling happy and content. Success is happiness; if you are happy you are successful. I’m not too big on the money aspect of things. I don’t think that defines how successful you are, but if you have that then of course I can see how your life could be easier, but not necessarily better.

What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?

I was studying law, and decided to drop out I was not passionate about it, I found myself always loving music, singing (to myself)whenever I got the chance to. So I finally took the leap and went in that direction

Where can people keep in touch with you?

You can keep in touch through

Instagram @safiyyah.d

Twitter @safiyyahmusic

Spotify @Safiyyah