Written By: Paul Amyot
Somaya’s new single Stand Up is very important and influential to women of all ages especially with what has been going on over the past year throughout this country and the world with women speaking up against sexual harassment.
Check out our interview with Somaya!
upfrontNY: Your new single Stand Up is a powerful message directed toward the state of the world right now. At what point did you feel like you wanted to get involved and become a voice in this movement?
Somaya: I’ve been a feminist for as long as I can remember, and I’ve never really been shy about standing up for what I believe in. Like a lot of people, I’d known sexual assault was an issue for a long time, but it wasn’t until the last couple years that I realized how many people around me had experienced it. I decided to write “Stand Up” a little over a year ago, and I’m so happy to see so many more people starting to stand up against sexual assault as well!
upfrontNY: This song is off your debut album. Can you tell us more about the rest of the album as a whole?
Somaya: The songs on my album cover a lot of different topics! The album has love songs, as well as songs about social justice, like “Stand Up”. Activism is definitely a large part of my life, so I try to include that in my songs.
upfrontNY: After shadowing iHeartRadio station 96.1 how amazing was it to hear them speak so highly about your new single and their thoughts on your future as an artist?
Somaya: It was so amazing! I know that they meet a lot of people, so when I sent them my song I wasn’t expecting them to remember me or reply. When they told me they not only liked my song, but played it on their show, my heart just felt so full. I may or may not have starting jumping up and down in my house.
upfrontNY: At what age did you become interested in pursuing a career in music?
Somaya: Around 13! Believe it or not, I wanted to be a dentist before I discovered my love for music.
upfrontNY: How much did growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina influence the direction you would go as an artist?
Somaya: Charlotte is where I’ve spent the majority of my life, and even though I don’t live there anymore, I still think it’s a great big part of me. I write my songs about my feelings and life experiences, and I had a lot of big moments in Charlotte that I’ve written about.
upfrontNY: Who would you say are your musical influences?
Somaya: I look up to Halsey and Tove Lo a lot for the rawness of their lyrics and how they produce their songs. I also look up to Sia for her ability to write about so many different topics.
upfrontNY: You have done a lot of covers on your YouTube Channel, which was your favorite to do? Does it have a special meaning for you?
Somaya: I loved covering Hozier’s “Take Me to Church”. The song is beautiful, and Hozier’s video for it is powerful too. The process of recording my take on it was so fun because of how much emotion I got to put into singing and producing the song, and it was the first video of mine that I ever shot outside, so that was really cool too.
upfrontNY: If you could choose to collaborate with any of these musicians who would it be and why?
Somaya: I would love to collaborate with Logic someday. He’s so talented, and I think he has the same passion of mine to use music to try and make a difference, so it would be an honor to work with him.
upfrontNY: What would be your dream city / venue that you would love to perform in one day?
Somaya: Madison Square Garden! I know a lot of artists say that, but you have to dream big!
upfrontNY: What message would you like to send to those coming up in the entertainment industry especially the young girls who are trying to make it?
Somaya: Know your worth. I think that’s just important to keep in mind in life in general. A lot of people, especially girls, take a long time to realize their worth, and I’d really like that to change!
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