Rising Songstress Konyikeh Introduces Herself With Debut Single 'Sorrow'

Languid and bittersweet Konyikeh makes soulful music that thrives in the melancholic atmosphere that is created by the arrangement of delicate instruments and her tone of voice.

Her debut single ‘Sorrow’ is a slowly aching rendering that leaves you beguiled with a voice that expertly conveys the pain and hurt, as well as confusion she’s experiencing. It's at times overwhelming.

Produced by British producers, Charlie J Perry and Paya, the beat is composed of a low-toned bass guitar that plays in the foreground supported by delicate percussion and the stirring vocals of rising Essex-raised soul songstress Konyikeh. Gradually the rising of string violins adds more beauty and texture to the emotive piece.

In ‘Sorrow’ Konyikeh remarks on the situation of two people mourning the loss of a relationship due to one person’s infidelity and unfaithfulness.

Exploring mature themes and topics it comes as a surprise to find out that ‘Sorrow’ was written back when Konyieh was only a teenager.

Explaining how the song initially came about from a walk home from school, she shares “I was very rebellious, and religion wasn’t a thing to me even then, I was calling myself an atheist – but my parents weren’t religious either, but my mum would go to church and pray for me still.”

The accompanying video, directed by Kemi Anna Adeeko, encaptures the unhappiness and trauma that a family of four lives with that generally is unspoken by them but challenged by the viewer as they get ready to take a family picture.

At times looking to a higher power for answers in the song growing up the soulful songstress was inspired by a wide range of influences that include gospel, r&b icons like Destiny Child, musical theatre, and the opera.

The influence of Opera and musical theatre can be heard in the distinctive tone that Konyikeh expresses when singing, allowing her to explore powerful emotions with a freedom that leaves you reeling and spun.

The turn to classical music was further encouraged by her exposure to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she studied as a student for ten years.

In awe of the 23-year-old, we cannot wait to hear her debut EP which is being released later this year.

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