10 Questions With Rising Star RIKA

With her latest release 'Doses' at over 100,000 views and counting on YouTube, RIKA's emergence into the Pop scene continues to be unmissable. With powerful and honest vocals shining throughout the track, RIKA gets the ability to not only flex on her songwriting skills but portray heartfelt visuals. Shot by acclaimed director, writer and photographer Jordan Rossi, 'Doses' has in time become one of RIKA's most prized and personal releases yet.

With an unapologetic demeanour and passion for representing her Indian and Serban culture which is a pinnacle of her work, this budding artist has seen notable support from tastemakers and radio alike.

By marking her debut performance at Radio 1 Big Weekend and a support slot on Zak Abel's European and UK tour, RIKA is kick-starting something big this year.

We got a chance to catch up with this singer in the midst of it all.

Hello Rika! Firstly tell us who you are and where you're based.

Hello! My name is RIKA. I'm a 19 year old singer-songwriter from London! I was born and raised here.

Congratulations on getting so many hits on Spotify! Is there any song you’ve released so far that means something special to you?

Thank you so much! I think ‘Doses’ definitely meant a lot to me. It’s a more vulnerable piece and a different side of me all together. Just more mature sounding and one of my favourite songs I’ve put out! Also ‘Hold On To Me’, as I got to express my heritage in that track.

I saw on your Instagram that you performed at the Miss Serbia contest! How was that for you?

Haha funny story actually. When I performed, my top broke mid way and I almost flashed about 1 million people watching. It’s funny looking back on it but wasn’t very funny at the time.

Tell us about the process of creating the video for ‘Doses’.

With the video I really wanted to go with a concept showcasing the highs and lows of a relationship. I worked with Jordan Rossi creatively on it. He’s an absolute dream to work with. It's really important that the viewer got ‘doses’ of this relationship, as it really sums up what the song is about sonically. We filmed the meadow scenes at around 8am in the morning. It was so cold; I think I got laryngitis from the video shoot, but it was breathtaking and worth it.

Being half Serbian and half Indian, what does culture mean to you?

Culture means a lot to me. I grew up with a lot of different influences and cultures around me. You would hear ABBA playing in one room and Bollywood music in the other. Growing up in London where culture is everywhere you look, from Polish supermarkets to temples and synagogues, culture is the very essence of London and what being a Londoner is.

Where do your style influences come from?

My style I would say is a twist on LA girl chic. Just something well put together but at the same time a little different. I love sweatpants and my style leans towards something comfier. If I could I would wear sweatpants for the rest of my life but I love serving a high fashion look.

What’s your go-to quarantine album?

My go to quarantine album I think has been “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac. It just reminds me of a better time. One where we could go outside and enjoy the sun and the fresh air. I just love the highs and lows of that album. I’ve also been into Dua Lipa’s new album. It’s amazing!

What three artists would you say have inspired you the most?

I’d say my biggest inspirations are probably Mariah Carey and Rihanna. Mariah Carey because of her immaculate talent vocally and with her songwriting and Rihanna because of how she's built herself as a brand.

Who would you love to collaborate with in the future?

I would love to collaborate with Zedd. I’ve loved his music ever since he dropped ‘Clarity’ with Foxes.

What’s coming next for Rika?

I have my EP coming out this month, a music video I shot in my house and my headline show in September! Make sure you follow me @rikaofficial on socials!