Anja Ngozi

Photo by Annie Tobin

Name, where are you from?
Anja Ngozi, from Birmingham, based in London.

Describe your style in three words?
Comfy and androgynous.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I remember seeing Tirzah and Micachu play live with Coby Sey a couple years ago at Scala and was taken aback by the atmosphere and space that they held on stage. I love their creations, they’re hugely inspiring to me, I especially love 'Go Now' from their 'Devotion' album.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
It’s difficult to pick... but I think OutKast and King Tubby. King Tubby is a legend, one of the most incredible musical producers. He always had innovative ways to use equipment and create unique sounds. I remember reading a book where they talked about him setting up speakers in trees with his system to manipulate the sound. I love so many of his songs, it's hard to pick one, but 'A Rougher Version' is one that always sticks in my mind. I love OutKast, they're always experimenting and evolving their music and style. Andre 3000 is one of my favourite artists of all time.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Hip-hop culture has definitely influenced me especially '90s. It’s definitely influenced my style and dress sense, but also it’s my favourite era of that style of music. Anime is a big influence too, I love the otherworldliness of it in tv, manga and films. I also really love the soundtracks and eclecticism within them - particularly Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli films, and 'Samurai Champloo' with Nujabes on the soundtrack.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’d love to spend an hour with James Baldwin, I’m a huge fan of his work, interviews and speeches and he also knew so many people that I’m inspired by (Nikki Giovanni, Huey Newton, Maya Angelou to name a few) and also had links to loads of musicians at the time like Nina Simone and Miles Davis. I’d love to chat with him about his life and work and everything he’s done to inspire social change and champion equality.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I think Total Refreshment Centre was one of the best venues I've been to. I was lucky enough to find out about it pretty much as soon as I came to London, they had incredible artists play there and I met a lot of friends through it. The whole space had an amazing energy.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Minnie Riperton, for me she was one of the best singers to have ever lived, the sort of artist that only comes around once in a lifetime. All of her tunes are incredible, so creative and I feel also experimental for the time, sonically and lyrically. 'Perfect Angel' is one of my favourite albums, and really love the composition in 'Every Time He Comes Around'.

Anja Ngozi recently released her new track 'B Brave', a collaboration with Byulah. Listen, purchase or stream it via sibin.bandcamp.com/album/b-brave.