SGaWD stands out in the dynamic music scene. Her sound defies easy categorization, blending genres and raw emotion. A global artist in every sense, her recently released EP “Tha GaWD – Side A” reflects the diverse influences of London, Miami, and Lagos, cities that shaped her life and music.
In this interview, SGaWD sheds light on her creative process, the impact of her multicultural background, and her collaborations with industry heavyweights.
The EP goes from deep tracks to party anthems. What feelings or experiences made you write such different songs?
Just life really. The life I have lived. The cities I have lived in and currently live in. The love, the good times, and bad times. London, Miami and Lagos are very important to me because I can proudly say these cities shaped a lot of the songs on this project.
Some of the songs on the EP were made in London. âDump All Your worriesâ, me and GMK made in a Pirates Studio in Croydon! âCoolâ, Sir Bastien and Andreas and I made in Westminster. âJuiceboxâ was made in 2021 with Jesse around the first time I moved to Lagos to pursue music.My music is really a reflection of me and I am not scared to share that.
What sounds did you pick up in Lagos, London, and Miami that made it onto the EP?
Whew, a lot! I feel like I could talk all day but mostly UK garage, house, R&B, hip-hop, drill, EDM, afrobeats, amapiano, deep house, Mara Ogba vibes, a lot of old Nigerian pop, and afrohouse sounds. There is a lot of music in the world, and it was amazing fusing all these sounds into one.
Teaming up with Moliy and GMK made the EP even better. What special things did each of you bring to the table in the studio?
Man, the whole EP had some of the best minds and hands in the games, from Moliyâs amazing pen and vocals to production from GMK, Genio, 44DB, YEDETTI, and FRNCH, to name a few. Everyone just brought themselves. I think thatâs what is interesting and thatâs the âspecialâ you are looking for. Everyone bringing their own individuality to the track but still being able to connect to it in their own different and unique ways. Whether it be through vocals, production or mixing.
“Fav Gurl” has a unique sound. Did you visit strange musical places while making this track?
Hahah. Laughing at strange musical places. âFav Girlâ is unique, I bet you never heard anything like it right. I know. I wanted to make something people havenât heard before. I drew inspiration from the Mara Ogba bounce in Nigeria, itâs like a street dance and sound, high tempo and really fast drums, like Nigerian street EDM or Jersey club music (laughs). Itâs some great stuff. It was fun just approaching the beat in a different way. I was so in love when I heard it, I just started singing and in one take, we were done. I wanted something special, fun and African!
You fight for women in music. Imagine a perfect world for female artists. What would it be like?
Man the perfect world would just be the equal opportunity to work and thrive in a safe work environment.
How do you want people to listen to “Tha GaWD – Side A” in 100 years?
With joy and surprise, like âomg this is what they were making thenâ. That would be so cool.
“Side A” is a hit, but is there a clue hidden in the EP about what kind of music will be on “Side B”?
I donât know! You’re gonna have to stick around to find out. I canât ruin the surprise!!!
What would you tell new musicians, especially those following a unique path like yours? What would you tell your younger self?
Music is super expensive, you have to do twice the work, keep getting better and you are doing so well. Just believe in yourself and make sure to not compromise your values for nothing.
