Discover...BluesfortheHorn
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Photo Credit: @captured_by_nae
BluesfortheHorn is an artist who lets the music she creates really speak from the soul. Having recently released a short film to accompany her 2018 EP: Finna Touch A Beach, BluesfortheHorn is committed to sharing her Somali culture and heritage with the world.
WFA speaks to her about sharing her heritage in her music, how she feels about genre labels and dating in the digital age in the light of her recent single: “Hold Your Pace.”
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Who is BluesfortheHorn (where did your name come from)?
BluesfortheHorn is an East-London based British-Somali Muslim Woman. [I’m] an R&B singer and songwriter. As a songwriter, I write about the everyday experiences of others and my own.
My artist name, BluesfortheHorn, represents my identity and passion for music. '’Blues” in R&B refers to the first genre I fell in love with and chose to categorise my music in. “The Horn” represents the Horn of Africa, which refers to Somalia, my origin.
What drew you to music?
My creative journey started when I was very little. Somalia has a rich music culture that a lot of people don’t know about. We’re born storytellers so everything we tell comes with a sort of rhythm or vibe especially during weddings. Music is a form of expression to announce to the world who you are. Additionally, in Primary and Secondary School, I was picked for lead roles in plays and the choir as I was eager to get involved in anything creative, interactive and fun.
I was always singing and listening to music any way I could. I grew up listening to R&B and fell in with it ever since; especially music from the ‘90s and early ‘00s. My brother and cousin always played music through their stereos and that's when I really fell in love with Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child and Tamia.
Tell me more about how having a Somali heritage impacts your music?
I wish the world [would] shed more light on Somalia’s music scene back in the day and even now. Music is a way we tell stories and I’ve embraced that. It’s definitely had a positive and meaningful impact. I am able to tell stories people can relate to because I want my music to have meaning. I want it to be a body of work people can relate to in their journeys in life.
I am very much aware and proud to include my Somali identity in my music, whether that be using specific Somali words in my songwriting and storytelling; for example, in my second single ‘Insecurities’ - I say ‘Baby you so loyal, a kind of guy I would bring to Hoyo’, (Hoyo refers to Mother in Somali ) or, wearing Somali outfits in my visuals. My Somali heritage impacts my music and I think it's a natural thing to include my Somali-ness into the creative.
In the short film for your EP: Finna Touch A Beach, there are subtle nods to your heritage. How important is it for you to showcase this in your visuals? Why did you wish to share this EP visual?
This EP visual was a chance for me to connect with my supporters and audience. I wanted people to get a better understanding of who BluesfortheHorn is. I wanted to showcase my authentic self which is why I chose to embrace my British and Somali culture.
A Lesson Part 1 is a conversation between two friends, talking about guy problems. The usual dating drama. I just wanted to showcase a typical Somali girl from the ends living her best life. I was wearing a baati - and this is like a common dress that is worn by Somali women in the household and outside (depending on the weather). It’s super colourful, vibrant and home-y which makes it comfortable. I wanted to set up a scene that reflected my everyday life when I’m chilling with my girls or family. I shot Summertime Fall at Hackney Marshes because I’m an East Londoner. I really want to include my culture and heritage in every way I can. I think it is important to showcase my heritage in the creative - just because I’m genuinely proud of where I come from.
Your music leans heavily to R&B, what made you gravitate towards this genre/sound?
I love, love. I love witnessing people fall in love and I believe R&B showcases the storytelling of love and love problems. That’s why I gravitated towards it. I also believe that you should lead with love always.
The melodies, the harmonies, that feeling I get from listening to an amazing song that can make me cry, smile or laugh is usually an R&B track…. R&B is relatable.
I love writing songs about my own experiences on ‘finding love’ and others too. That’s what R&B is to me. It allows me to expressive myself in any way.
Do you subscribe to genre definitions/labelling of artists and their music?
Absolutely not, music is so fluid and as creatives we are also fluid in creating, right? So, I do not subscribe to that. My next EP will have more soul and Jazz type influence to it. As much as I am a ‘R&B singer and songwriter’ - I do not want to only subscribe to being labelled as that.
Your latest release: Hold Your Pace is quite commanding as you’re telling someone to keep cool so you can get to know them. Do you think your generation moves too quickly in relationships in general?
Yeah, I think we have lost some depth to conversation, to understanding each other's vulnerabilities, showing empathy etc. Everything is so quick in dating and relationships, they’re so quick to fall in love than to live in love everyday. It’s like everything has become transactional. I’m not sure if social media plays a role in this, but I think it does a bit. I'm at this point in my life where I just want to share an experience with a man that I can connect on a deeper level with and, Hold Your Pace touches on that.
How have you been able to find inspiration during the ups and downs of lockdown?
During lockdown getting inspired to write happened once I started to take time out, work on my health, my spirituality and taking things slow. That honestly gave me inspiration. Not forcing anything and not working towards a deadline. I wrote my new single ‘Hold Your Pace’ during lockdown because of that!
And lastly, what does success mean to you?
Success to me in music would be winning with my team and sharing memories with them, touring, having a headline show, releasing a big body of work (album) and songwriting for other talented artists. With that, I want do it with people that look like me and who are on a similar journey as me... to make the world a better place for Black people.
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