SOMADINA INTERVIEW: VIPER PRESENTS [FEATURE] BOLD ENGAGING INTERVIEW 2026

SOMADINA INTERVIEW: A true nomad of the modern alté scene, Somadina is a Nigerian-born singer-songwriter and producer whose sound is a fearless collision of her multifaceted upbringing. Born in Port Harcourt and raised across the Netherlands and the UK, she has spent her life absorbing a diverse sonic palette—from the classical rigour of her Russian piano teacher to the soulful R&B her father played on Sunday mornings. This global perspective has shaped her into a genre-fluid architect, weaving together threads of Hip Hop, psychedelic rock, punk, and progressive soul.

Somadina first captured the industry’s attention with her 2018 debut IHY, a raw, lucid trap-influenced track that established her “diary-entry” style of songwriting. She has since evolved into a vital voice for a new generation of African artists, earning critical acclaim from Vogue, NME, and The Guardian. Her 2022 project, Heart of the Heavenly Undeniable, further solidified her standing, showcasing an “African girl with energy” who refuses to be boxed in by commercial expectations. With high-profile performances at festivals like Lollapalooza Chicago and co-signs from the likes of Amaarae and Davido, she has proven that her radical authenticity resonates on a global scale.

Now moving into a luminous new chapter, Somadina continues to push the boundaries of her craft. Collaborating with the visionary producer Le Mav—famed for his work with Tay Iwar and the Black Panther soundtrack—she is refining her “afro-psychedelic” signature into something even more potent. Her music remains a therapeutic medium for self-discovery, transforming the complexities of the human experience into a bold, defiant, and ultimately healing body of work.

What five words define your sound?

⁠Fluid, Psychedelic, Powerful, Vulnerable, Raw.

Tell me something unique about your creative process.

⁠I actually initially freestyle most of my songs and then I piece them together like a math puzzle.

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

‘Fighting’.

What inspired you to make that song?

Literally fighting my way through life’s challenges. I recorded it by myself in my bedroom in Abuja and kept tweaking it. It was after a long period of introspection. I used to beat myself up for mistakes I made in the past. But the past is the past. ‘Fighting’ helped me acknowledge the positive in everything I’d been through – I’m a soldier and I’m proud of my resilience to learn the right lessons.

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

⁠I’m always vulnerable when I’m writing music because I write from my truth. I’d say everyday.

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

Funnily enough, my best experience was actually at the WAF store. It was such a random day – there wasn’t a stage, I just performed in the middle of the room but I loved the energy of that crowd so much. My least favourite experience was probably after Abbey Road Studios – loved the opportunity but I had done so much touring and I was so fatigued and drained after that show. I blacked out the next day and got hospitalised.

What is your favourite song to perform?

⁠I’ve really loved doing ‘Follow Follow’ recently, it’s on the new project.

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

SZA’s ‘Ctrl’ saved my life, ‘Asa’ self titled and John Legend’s ‘Get Lifted’ were staples of my childhood. Frank Ocean’s ‘Channel Orange’ also really inspired me to create freely and differently.