Interview: Jill Barbara Discusses “Lay With You” & Journey As A Singer

Read on as African Hype sits down with Jill Barbara to discuss her recent music releases, and what else we can expect from her in the future:

Thank you for being with us!  Where are you based and where would you say your fan base is?

Thank you for having me

I’m a Kenyan based in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia. I visit home quite often every 3months in a year or so however due to COVID I’ve been unable to go back home this year which hasn’t been easy especially because I miss my favorite dish ugali with some fried nyama. If One would ask whether they don’t have the flour here, my answer would be no because it just doesn’t taste the same kama ya nyumbani.

My fanbase I would say is both here Kenya and the UK. Whenever I get videos of asians singing the Swahili lyrics to my song Sawa sawa Le I feel so humbled. I receive a lot of love and support from my country and the UK as well so yeah I’m completely humbled.

What would you never apologize for?

I would never apologize for being right 

“Lay With You” is beautiful. What inspired the single?

Lay with you was written at a point in time where I was going through a lot in my personal life. In the midst of all that was going on I also had a breakup and I decided to pour my heart out into a song. The first verse and the chorus basically talks about all the things that could be promised when you first get into a relationship while the rap verse is sort of a metaphor for what happens after a breakup I.e the “glow up” . So instead of writing a heartbreak song I decided to write a love song and turn the negative situation I was going through into a positive.

Discovering your own musical style is a unique part of every artist’s journey. What sets your music apart? What is unique, or at least uncommon?

I would say what sets my music apart is the fact that being a fusion artist, I am able to seamlessly blend my rap and singing skills into one with any genre. An example would be Sawa sawa Le where I blend Afro beat and hiphop. Lay with you is a blend of rnb, hiphop and the new wave of “trap” music. Each and every one of my songs are unique and have their own style/genre.

Who are your biggest music influences?

Biggest music influencers: I have a couple
1. Sauti Sol – I’ve been listening to them since their first album Mwanzo
Brandy, Monica and xscape as I love old school music and look for ways to get inspiration and turn it into the new wave of music.
5. Tiwa savage.
6.Aaliyah
7.Wstrn from the u.k
8. Khaligraph Jones- I admire his work ethic
9. Avril Kenya – I used to do covers of her song as a child( there’s still a clip of that on Facebook) and the reactions are what propelled me to go into doing more song covers
10. Bensoul- amazing talent. If I named all my influences we would finish next month  I listen to all genres of music so yeah there are a couple.

I would be so humbled if I could collaborate with Sauti Sol. It would be a dream come true.

Favorite guilty pleasure?

Favorite guilty pleasure would be eating. I’m such a foodie.

Night owl or morning person?

Definitely a morning person

Where would you like to see your music career in 5 year’s time?

In five years’ time I would like to have been nominated for the grammy’s. Dreams are valid and it’s possible with hard work and prayer.

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