After a successful tour with Sam Smith and Tems, singer/songwriter Konyikeh unveils her latest EP, Problem with Authority. The 5 track record includes her recent single ‘Lie to Me’, a mellow ballad, dreaming of killing her cheating husband. When asked about her single, Konyikeh reflects on the inspiration of Latin music and Konyikeh states how she “admired the storytelling in those songs”. Taking a leaf out of the Latin genre playbook, ‘Lie to Me’ tells this story through song. She pays homage to J Balvin and Skepta’s music video for ‘Nirvana’ and Konyikeh states that she “wanted to flip it to reflect a woman’s perspective”. Her combination of lively beats and a melancholic storyline is a clear reflection of the Latin and Cuban music that inspired the EP.
Konyikeh, alumna of the Guildhall School of Music, has learnt to channel her emotions into her music – she’s reconnecting with her cultural heritage as a means to build herself up. Using her experiences as a woman of colour in white-dominated spaces, Konyikeh foregrounds her growth and acceptance of her heritage. Previous successes suggest a promising future for Konyikeh. She has been recognised for her unique, raw talent following widespread attention at the 2022 BRIT Awards, with glowing reviews from the British press. She was even given the coveted opportunity to perform on the renowned stage of COLOURS.
Her new EP is a combined reflection of her rise to the top and her journey to acceptance of her heritage and herself as a woman. Problem with Authority is a pairing of Konyikeh’s melancholic voice and stories of romances failed and otherwise, with the tracks ‘Lie to Me’ and ‘Sit Down’. She reflects on becoming who she is today, the struggles of pushing away love and coming to terms with relying on oneself on Problem with Authority. The EP is a wistful collection of problems and growth – soulful melodies that that women in love, women scorned, and other women of colour can hear themselves in. The soul that Konyikeh presents allows her audiences to live through these experiences with her.
We’re excited to see what else Konyikeh has to offer and Problem with Authority is just the beginning.
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