SOAKY SIREN IS A BOSSM+ INTERVIEW

What was the process of making an EP like and what song was your favorite to create?

LUCAYA sort of wrote itself and that’s what is so special about it. The songs came together after I decided to put out an EP so instead of just going in the studio to write for other people like I did before, I went in with more intention. "Dope Boys" was the very first song I wrote and that set off the inspiration for the sound going forward. I did it with DallasK and he’s such a beast - I told him I want my sound to be specific and that I was going for urban resort and he just got it. All of the songs were such a wave when I was making them, I can’t really pick which was my fave to write. I will say Kombucha was wild because it was inspired by a trip to the corner store - the producer, Shy Girls wanted to get some Kombucha. It just so happened that I was also in a space at the time (started peepin' a lot of opportunists) and that established the metaphor for the record.

What is it like making your way in the music industry in LA as a woman from the Bahamas and what were some struggles you overcame?

It’s been such a climb. I didn’t have a ton of relationships when I got here so I had to really hustle to connect with people and get in the right rooms. Until you land some wins people don’t take you seriously so as much as I believed in myself there were moments where the doors just wouldn’t open. It’s still frustrating but now when those doors don’t wanna budge, I take the back way and pull up like wassup?

What other artists influence your music the most?

Missy Elliot, Outkast, Sizzla, Lil Kim, and Sade - they’ve inspired me from time.

What is it like as a woman in the rap genre?

I think this is the best it’s ever been for women in rap because the market confirmed what we’ve known all along: there is room for everyone. Do women still have to fight twice as hard? Absolutely but this isn’t only in rap this is the case across the whole industry.

In the song Kombucha you talk about not letting the haters get to you, what advice do you have to other up and coming artists feeling the pressures of this?

Lean in and filter out every. single. thing and person that doesn’t positively impact you and what you’re building. This is your art and you have to put A LOT of energy into making it - you can’t afford to expense your emotions or energy on the wrong people.