In this interview feature, we get to know the most radicalist up and coming stars on the planet.   

This time we talk to East London soulstress Rachel Foxx.

Foxx exudes elegance in her productions and a refined effortlessness in her voice. She made her name releasing emotive tracks on Soundcloud and her talent gained her over a million streams in only a short while.

Her first - and self-titled - project Rachel Foxx the EP was conceived at just 18 years-of-age and was released in 2015 after two years of development and craft. Since then, Rachel has continued to hone her talents and at the end of 2016 released Blue Moon to much acclaim.

Although Rachel is often classified as part of London’s emerging new-school R&B scene, her versatility continues to separate her from this label and rather presents this young artist as an amalgamation of the genres that surrounded and inspired her as she grew up in Hackney (jazz, soul, funk, hip hop and R&B). Artists such as Floetry, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott can be heard influencing her sound despite her own unique authenticity.

Earlier this summer we reviewed her most recent release ‘Happen to Me’ - a disco-funk inspired melody with lyrics diverging from her usual discourse. Her honest lyrics (moving from jaded teen romance to the liberation of love as a young adult) is a journey all listeners relate to in some way. With new music and visuals coming soon, we can’t wait to hear what Rachel Foxx will give us next.

We caught up with Rachel to discuss 90s inspiration, live shows and new releases.

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TMR: We loved ‘Happen To Me’ when we reviewed it and have since been keenly following the video teaser snaps on your socials. Although it’s recognizable as your track, it differs substantially from a track like ‘Remember’ - how has your songwriting process evolved since you wrote that track?

Thank you! I've really evolved as a writer to be fair, I wrote ‘Happen To Me’ in like an hour or two. I'm really quick now. I wrote ‘Remember’ 2 years ago and it took a few days... I wasn't really focused at that time either though because there was a lot going on in my life.

TMR: Your honest lyricism is rooted in themes of romance, love, heartache. Was it always your intention to unpack these themes or was it a natural result of exploring (what might loosely be called) the R&B genre?

It was pretty much natural, if you know me as a person, you know I hate talking about feelings, I hate talking about love and expressing myself, I find it so awkward and I just avoid it at all costs... my music gives me an outlet where I can talk about how I feel and it’s not awkward because it’s a song.

TMR: As a 90s baby you seem to take inspiration, both sonically and aesthetically, from the decade. What/who else has inspired you as an artist?

I love the 90s era, I am very inspired by fashion... I watch the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air literally every week just to look at the outfits... I love Tupac and Eazy-E, they inspire my fashion so much and it ties in with my style and music. I love Total... both musically and stylistically they inspire me. If I talk about the 90s I can literally go on and on... trust me.



TMR: You recently performed alongside North London singer-songwriter Ruby Francis. Which other upcoming artists would you recommend us to listen out for?

Yeah she's really cute. It was a fun show too. Watch out for Jamal Woon, a singer/ songwriter/ producer from South London… I had him open up for me at my headline show, I've been watching him for years, he's really sick. Also, Samm Henshaw, such a great talent from South London, he plays like 10 instruments also.

TMR: Your show with Ruby was in Hoxton, in Hackney, where you were grew up. Musical talent has always come out of East London but how do you feel your area has shaped you as an artist and impacted on your sound?

My area is so eclectic there’s some parts of Hackney that are still ghetto as hell and then there's the other side that’s all trendy and gentrified. Growing up there helped me meet people from all walks of life and I think I'm just a mixture of all of that.

TMR: Massive congratulations on your first headline show earlier this month! What was the experience/reception like?

Thank you! It was amazing, because it was the first show that everyone had come just for me. It was a really intimate show and so special. A lot of people knew the lyrics to my songs and that was really weird for me because I'd written a lot of that material when I was like 18-years-old in my bedroom.

TMR: You have developed a lot since you started working on Rachel Foxx The EP at 18. Now we’ve had Blue Moon at the end of last year, when can we expect to see you drop the next project?

February 2018.



TMR: You’re a very versatile artist and your releases meander through a number of different genres including jazz, funk and R&B. Where does this range of influences come from and do you have an ultimate goal you’d like to achieve sonically?

I grew up listening to a lot of different stuff, it varied so much and that’s what I think comes through in my music now. I just want to be able to express myself in as many ways as I feel like.

TMR: Your 3-piece band works so well to achieve your desired listening experience. How did you guys come together?

I know my pianist growing up in Hackney and he introduced me to the rest of the guys and now we're just like a group of siblings.

TMR: The visual side of your releases so far are all quite emotive and suggest that colour holds a certain significance for you. How much involvement do you have with the videos/artwork?

I direct everything myself. I'm just as picky with the visual side of things as well as the music.

TMR: Lastly, what’s next for Rachel Foxx?

More music this year, my EP and MANY more live shows. So excited.



-Chi Chi Nwakodo