Chinwe

Musician — London

01Profile

A Chinwe Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
I’m Chinwe and I’m from London.

Describe your style in three words?
Minimal, black, chill.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Erykah Badu at Brixton Academy. She didn’t arrive until like 11pm and we’d been waiting since 7:30pm but the second she started singing everyone completely forgot how mad they were five minutes ago and she captivated the entire room for the half-hour that she had left!

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
I would pick Nina Simone and the Lijadu Sisters because they were outspoken, revolutionary women who impacted their communities at a time when it was even more difficult to exist as a woman and have your voice and ideas taken seriously.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Growing up in East London I was influenced by grime culture and I also had a bit of an indie phase at one point. I would say the first subcultures that influenced me were afrobeat/highlife and Jamaican soundsystem culture. It’s what I’d hear at parties and what my parents would play at home.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Eartha Kitt has always been a bit of an enigma so I’d love to spend an hour with her. She seemed like she lived life to the full and never needed permission to be who she wanted to be.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
When I was a student I worked for a bit at the bar in the Shepherds Bush Empire and got to see some great artists and bands and I always thought it would be cool to play there one day!

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I think Noname is an unsung hero/ine in music. I love the music she creates and what she does for the community – her book club and trying to make education more accessible, especially for the most marginalised people in society.


Chinwe recently released her debut EP 'Scar Tissue'. Stream it on Spotify via spoti.fi/3lyb9tl.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Just One of Those Days' by Sizzla.

A song that defines the teenage you?

'The World is Yours' by Nas.

One record you would keep forever?
'Walk Away From Love' by Bitty McLean.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“No more holding on to something just to leave you”

From 'No More Running' by Michael Kiwanuka.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Come We Bill Ehh' by Midas the Jagaban.

A song you wished you had written?
'Plastic 100˚C' by Sampha.

Best song to turn up loud?
Can I say mine? lol 'Scar Tissue' by Chinwe.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Tape Song' by The Kills.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Gabriel (Garage Mix)' by Roy Davis Jr. 

Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Away' by Ayra Starr.
'Mah Yem Wah' by Anguesomo.
'Still' by Aquariuz.
'Master Kush' by Pnksand.
'Guessing Game' by Wolo.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
I’m Chinwe and I’m from London.

Describe your style in three words?
Minimal, black, chill.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Erykah Badu at Brixton Academy. She didn’t arrive until like 11pm and we’d been waiting since 7:30pm but the second she started singing everyone completely forgot how mad they were five minutes ago and she captivated the entire room for the half-hour that she had left!

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
I would pick Nina Simone and the Lijadu Sisters because they were outspoken, revolutionary women who impacted their communities at a time when it was even more difficult to exist as a woman and have your voice and ideas taken seriously.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Growing up in East London I was influenced by grime culture and I also had a bit of an indie phase at one point. I would say the first subcultures that influenced me were afrobeat/highlife and Jamaican soundsystem culture. It’s what I’d hear at parties and what my parents would play at home.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Eartha Kitt has always been a bit of an enigma so I’d love to spend an hour with her. She seemed like she lived life to the full and never needed permission to be who she wanted to be.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
When I was a student I worked for a bit at the bar in the Shepherds Bush Empire and got to see some great artists and bands and I always thought it would be cool to play there one day!

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I think Noname is an unsung hero/ine in music. I love the music she creates and what she does for the community – her book club and trying to make education more accessible, especially for the most marginalised people in society.


Chinwe recently released her debut EP 'Scar Tissue'. Stream it on Spotify via spoti.fi/3lyb9tl.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Just One of Those Days' by Sizzla.

A song that defines the teenage you?

'The World is Yours' by Nas.

One record you would keep forever?
'Walk Away From Love' by Bitty McLean.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“No more holding on to something just to leave you”

From 'No More Running' by Michael Kiwanuka.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Come We Bill Ehh' by Midas the Jagaban.

A song you wished you had written?
'Plastic 100˚C' by Sampha.

Best song to turn up loud?
Can I say mine? lol 'Scar Tissue' by Chinwe.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Tape Song' by The Kills.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Gabriel (Garage Mix)' by Roy Davis Jr. 

Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Away' by Ayra Starr.
'Mah Yem Wah' by Anguesomo.
'Still' by Aquariuz.
'Master Kush' by Pnksand.
'Guessing Game' by Wolo.

 

05Videos

Chimwe | Scar Tissue EP (2021)