Springtime = our time. Have you ever caught yourself thinking that everything looks and sounds a bit better when the sun is back in town and summer is just around the corner? Spring is also the perfect time for learning a new name or two. Today we’re presenting the new pop force on the rise. Sheila G brings her catchy debut “Skin on Skin,” and it’s one tropical tune done right.
Learn more about the girl behind the hooks in our chat about growing up in Africa, outrunning snakes, becoming a real G and juggling some important skincare tips. Hop to the next page to read the full interview.
Hometown/homebase: London
What’s your story so far?
Wow. It’s been an interesting one for sure; definitely not the most conventional one! So I’ve been writing music and singing since I was a kid — it started out as a hobby when I lived in Africa where my imagination literally ran wild, surrounded by exotic music, languages and international people. I was also part of the school choir, and so I’d be singing everyday. I’d just wake up some days in the middle of the night with these crazy melodies in my head — I decided it was kind of like my calling.
After moving to the UK, I took vocal coaching lessons (Speech Level Singing) and learned a technique created by Seth Riggs (who was Michael Jackson’s coach!), and decided to pursue this passion. I was influenced by R&B and pop but also artists from the Caribbean like Machel Montano. Lived for a while in Paris and also in a tiny village called Aachen in Germany and all that travelling meant I wrote and recorded literally albums worth of material including one in French — even performed all over London including the Royal Albert Hall and collaborated with reggae artists Peter Hunnigale and Tippa Irie. It wasn’t until 2016 when DJ Roger Sanchez picked up one of my tracks “Smile” and remixed it. In May 2016 it got to Billboard number 1 in the dance charts which was pretty cool! In January last year I started working with Si Hulbert and we created this track “Skin on Skin” which I feel truly defines me.
What’s the story behind the G?
Haha! A lot of people ask me this. When I was back at school I’d sing at every given opportunity! I’d get up on the chairs and belt out a Mariah or Whitney track during lunch breaks, using a stapler or whatever I could find as a mic, and one of my friends started referring to me as ‘Sheila G’ — it kind of caught on from then and stuck with me whenever I would perform at shows. G is the first initial of my surname — also the ‘G’ in Hindi (pronounced as ‘jee’) is a polite form of addressing someone, and it also follows a lot of expressions in Hindi — like a suffix to greeting expression such as ‘namase ji’ or ‘hello ji’ — the ‘G’ in the urban world also has a cool feeling to it, so with all these feel-good associations to the ‘G’, I thought ‘hey let’s just go with it!’
What’s one thing you’re afraid a journalist will ask you?
Hmm, I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of any questions, mainly because people who know me would tell you I’m fearless. The kind of question I perhaps wouldn’t like would be about my personal life, maybe bringing up stuff from past relationships which have been painful or a little more on the sensitive side. You know, how things can get misinterpreted etc. I like to keep my private life to myself and don’t like to create any kind of drama or negativity around me. However, I’m a big believer in turning any negative experience into a positive one; it’s even helped me write better songs so I have no regrets.
If you could treat any musician to a dinner, who would you invite?
Definitely Neyo or Pharrell. In my view they are absolute music geniuses…As artists, they tick every single box including being great song writers. They have written and performed hit after hit, touching millions of lives around the world and that’s something so powerful. It would be great to get into Neyo’s mind just to find out how he writes so clearly from a woman’s perspective…What goes through his mind when he’s about to go on stage and how he keeps his mind rested through the mayhem of fame! Pharrell is a complete all round artist and I have so much respect for him — I mean his one song “Happy” can make anyone jump up and dance — that is a true artist; he has this amazing smile and charm so dinner with him would be fun and I’d come away totally inspired.
What should we know about your new single?
“Skin on Skin” is a song with a story — this is why the music video has been created to tell the story in such a simple way. Two people are trying to reconnect after losing that ‘spark’ that they once had. Their lives got hectic and now they want to both feel that fire again where they have that physical closeness and they become ‘one’ like they once used to be. Music is a powerful tool and they’re using this dance to ‘realign’ because there’s still so much hope in that relationship. I wrote it when I saw a few relationships around me fizzle out and thought it was an interesting concept; ultimately “Skin on Skin” has a positive meaning about fighting for your love, always trying to keep the connection alive. That’s why in the video you’ll see how both lovers gradually come together and they’re happy at the end, just like it should be.
Talking about skin, do you have any tips for taking care of your skin?
I have a strict skin routine and have done so since I was 12! I think a lot of people forget that your skin is an organ and we have to look after it literally from the inside out. That means eating healthy — I’m vegetarian and eat a lot of fruit & veg — definitely more than the five a day! Plenty of water and definitely keeping fit is a must too! I dance a lot too so that helps as well as regular spinning and weights. In terms of the outside, it’s all about my vitamin E cream — that’s been my number one item I put in my suitcase when I’m traveling. I actually can’t live without it! Oh and how can I forget dry body brushing. Highly recommended!
Do you remember what your Myspace profile song used to be?
I think it was Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack.” I loved that song and had it on replay for so long when it was released — it’s one of those songs that makes you want to get up and dance, even when you’re in your pjs.
What’s your perfect Friday night look like?
It really depends on how I’m feeling. A lot of Friday nights I love to go out into town, have dinner, a few cocktails with the girls and then hit the dance floor; I work really hard during the week so it’s nice to let go and music always does that to me. Some Fridays I love to chill, sit in my room with a good book and read with a cup of hot chocolate or snuggle up in my songwriting corner and start scribbling away. It’s important to feed the soul when you’re inspired so those Friday nights can get pretty productive.
What drink should we offer you next time we see you?
Great question — I love Appletinis so if that’s waiting for me with extra sliced apples on a cocktail stick, I’d be one happy girl. If you don’t have apples on you, then I’d be happy with a good ol’ rum and diet coke — it was my favorite drink when I played in the Trinidadian carnival in January 2016 and definitely helped me parade 25 miles in two days.
What’s planned for you this year?
I’m travelling lots this year — I’m out in Cape Town to promote the single and I’m also completing the follow up tracks. Writing a lot more songs and hoping to collaborate with other artists too. I think it’s important to have a plan but also to work really hard and be as productive as possible; it’s all about getting my music out there and making you all move to it!
5 fast fun facts about yourself. Go!
I’m a linguist; I speak five languages fluently.
I used to have a pet monkey and 12 dogs.
I have a tattoo on my left calf of a butterfly in a cherry blossom — it covers a scar after I was cut accidentally by a drunken woman’s stiletto heel!
When I was a kid (in Tanzania), I was chased by a snake in my back garden!
I have a constant obsession for crunchy peanut butter and chocolate.
For more profiles on up-and-coming artists, visit our Artist of the Day page.
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