Chikaya: Born to Sing

Last week Alex and I left for Bristol's Rough Trade, where we watched Chikaya perform to a full audience enjoying her R&B music and unique voice. The artist has done nothing but make hit after hit with her recent album, Descend, including personal favourites Islands, Satellites and Ice. Here's what we caught up on after the gig:

When did you decide you wanted to become a singer?

I always loved to sing and dance and put on little shows when I was a child and at some point during this time, I think I just decided this was my chosen path because I never once doubted it.

 Who are our biggest influences and supporters?

My mum is my biggest supporter cause she's been with me on this musical journey the longest and then I would say my friends because they come to every show, they always encourage me, I'm very lucky cause my support system is so so solid. We are all just growing together and its a blessed feeling.

What is your favourite genre of music to listen to and which is your favourite genre to take inspiration from?

I don't have a favourite genre, would be a boring place if we all just chose one genre and had to listen to that every day haha. I'm influenced by all sorts of musicians, from Tracy Chapman to Robert Plant, when you can tell the artist really mean the words behind the lyrics and they have an openess to the music, thats when I find music the most inspiring.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

In 5 years time i'll still be making wavey cosmic music living a good life, touring, singing just doing what I love to do!

Check out her album, 'Descend' here.