TIANA MAJOR9 INTERVIEW:
TIANA MAJOR9 INTERVIEW: With a voice that moves between soulful tenderness and sharp honesty, Tiana Major9 stands in a season of alignment. The Grammy nominated singer-songwriter from East London has spent the past few years rediscovering her rhythm reconnecting to music, her Caribbean roots, and herself. As she prepares to release her deeply personal new project, November Scorpio, Tiana sat down with VIPER to talk about rediscovery, creative alignment, and the soulful power of being true to one’s roots.
How are you feeling in general these days?
I’m alive, I’m healthy, and I’m doing the thing I love to do. So I’m okay, that’s the best answer I can give right now.
If you had to describe this season of your life in one word, what would it be?
Aligning. Things are lining up in some ways, in some places and I really feel that alignment happening.
You took about two years of quiet reflection. What did you rediscover about yourself in that time?
I rediscovered how much I love music not just performing or releasing it, but music itself. I’m a proper music geek. It’s the first thing I ever truly knew I loved and was confident in. During that break, I kept asking myself, “Do I still want to do this?” And every time, the answer was yes. If I’m not doing music, nothing else satisfies me. It’s deeper than being an artist who makes money, I’d do it in every lifetime.
Let’s talk about your latest single, ‘Always’ with Yebba How did that collaboration come to life?
I’d had ‘Always’ for a while. I wrote it with Britten Newbill, and PRGRSHN, who’s been with me since I was 20. We wrote the first verse and chorus together, and later I revisited it during a writing camp. When I started thinking about features, I thought of her. I’d never met her but she liked my music, so I sent it over. She replied, “I love this. I’ll do it.” I told her she could change anything if she wanted, but she said she loved the lyrics and just sang it in her own way. That meant a lot to me.
How does ‘Always’ connect to your upcoming album, ‘November Scorpio’?
‘November Scorpio’ is all about understanding myself as a woman, an artist, and a human. The song ‘Money’ on the project really shows that. It’s about being a little reckless at first having money, not knowing what to do with it then realising you’ve got to be more intentional next time it comes back. Because money always comes and goes, but the lessons stay.
You’re an East London girl with Scorpio energy. How much does that mix shape your creativity?
I think it comes through in my sound and how I use my accent. I love rhyming and being authentic with how I speak. My Caribbean side influences how I dress and carry myself it’s all part of the blend.
As you approach 30, does it feel like a time of renewal or transformation?
Definitely transformation. I’ve wanted to be 30 since I was 13! (Laughs) I’m excited. I feel like this next chapter will bring a new sense of confidence and peace. I want a house, a farm, just stability. It feels like it’s going to be a powerful time.
What does November represent to you personally?
November feels like celebration. It’s cozy, it’s reflective, and it’s my time to look back at the year. My birthday’s November 22nd — 22/11/95 I’ve always felt connected to that number. It’s alignment, it’s awakening.
How do you separate Tiana from Tiana Major9, or do they merge naturally?
They definitely merge naturally, but I’ve learned to give myself more space. The artist side of me is more expressive, while the personal side is quieter, more reflective. But honestly, I’ve realised I don’t have to do too much to show up as an artist, I just am one.
What’s something fans might be surprised to learn about you?
I love to cook. If I wasn’t an artist, I’d be a chef or a hairdresser. I love making bread that’s my thing. My go-to meal? Scrambled eggs with homemade crusty bread and a little salad. Simple, but that’s me.
When you think about legacy, what do you want your music to stand for?
Musicality and honesty. I want people to hear the chords, the melodies, the thought in the lyrics to understand that music means everything to me. Lyricism matters. It’s okay to take your time to tell your story.
Who are some artists who continue to inspire your evolution?
Beyoncé, for her work ethic and attention to detail. Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, D’Angelo, Stevie Wonder they’re all honest artists. They create from truth, and that’s what I strive for too.
Do you write to express or to understand your feelings?
I usually start writing to express something, but by the end, I realise it was to understand what I was really feeling. The song always ends up teaching me something.
If you could craft a project celebrating your Jamaican roots, what would it sound like?
A lot of Reggae, for sure and some Hip Hop, because Jamaica’s influence on Hip Hop is huge. I’d experiment with Mento, Ska, Dancehall. Visually, it’d have that vibrant, Dancehall-inspired energy.
And what’s a Jamaican saying you still live by today?
Who can’t hear, must feel. My mum said that all the time. (laughs) It’s real.
As our conversation winds down, we speak about hurricanes, heritage and hope. Despite the chaos of the world, Tiana Major9 radiates calm rooted in music, faith, and self-awareness. She’s an artist who embodies alignment East London soul, Jamaican fire and Scorpio intuition all rolled into one.
Interview By Dejee Jno-Baptiste
