December 4, 2024 |
“Hello Bitch. I’m the one they wanna be.” These are the opening lines of Saràh Phenom’s debut EP, Girl. The phrase could easily be something of a calling card for the Rwandan-born, London-based artist, who wants her listeners to know that she’s comfortable, she’s cool and she’s confident. Because yes, she is.
Growing up in Rwanda, Belgium and France before settling in London, Phenom fuses a multitude of references into a sound that is wholly her own: On Girl, she blurs the boundaries between Amapiano and pop, drum and bass and R&B in an anthem-like, and at times sentimental, odyssey through what it means to grow up in a big city, encountering drugs, alcohol and sex along the way.
On her opening track, Ou La La – whose accompanying music video premiers today – Phenom makes it clear that she knows she’s hot, “I’m the girl they call ‘It’” she tells listeners while she rallies on the tennis court in the sun-spangled video set “somewhere in the Caribbean”. On another track, Tesla – which crosses between English and French – she pokes fun at the men who think she needs them, and on Prove, she reassures the haters that, yes indeed, she is on her way to the top.
Couple this offering with a fashion track record that lands in London and Paris – think Mowalola, Rabanne and Balmain, to name a few of her favourites – Phenom is both a surefire artist and a global style icon.
To celebrate the premiere of the music video for Ou La La, we caught up with Phenom to talk about how she got her name, the inspiration behind Girl, what she keeps in her bag and more!
1. Who is Sarah Phenom?
A diva from Rwanda.
2. How did you come up with the nickname Phenom?
This lady that was at my school canteen used to call me Phénomène Sarah.
3. Describe your sound in three words?
Daring, fun and energetic.
4. Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
I have way too many; Kanye west to me is one of my biggest inspirations, he’s extremely diverse, touches on all types of subjects, his artistry and pen just keep amazing me even 15 years later!
5. What can viewers expect from your upcoming video Ou La La?
Very fun girly stuff, lot of attitude and funny you can deffo see more personality.
6. How did your multicultural upbringing influence your sound?
I think growing up with my grand pa and my mom being so into different cultures and travelled so much is something that tinted heavily on me! It helped me to be attracted to all types of sound from all over the globe and naturally just gravitate towards certain top lines which gives you that unexpected feeling on a “don’t stop”.
7. What were the main inspirations for your EP Girl?
Honestly I think It was all the different phases I went through growing up trying to manoeuvre the big beat that is London! I feel I really grew into a woman and changed for the better. Different relationships, friendships and dynamics.
8. Favourite hype song to get ready to?
Ou La La duhhhh; imagine yourself getting into wherever you’re going like “HELLO BITCH”😂
9. What’s your handbag essential?
A pair of underwear and lipgloss.
10. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Successful and happy AF! Two houses, a baby OTW and two albums out, on a worldwide tour, one arena tour under my belt.
Photography courtesy of Saràh Phenom.
