TĀLĀ has never been content to sit in one place. Both as an artist and as a person the London singer has pushed herself into new time zones, new avenues of exploration.
Fresh from the enormous creative vitality which fuelled 2014's one-two pairing 'The Duchess' and 'Alchemy', TĀLĀ has unveiled plans for her new 'MALIKA' release.
An enormously ambitious project which is global in span and catholic in taste, debut cut 'Tell Me' went online a few moments ago.
Managing to pit the grimy sounds of Mssingo against the South Korean pop innovation of Wa$$ap it's a track that blazes in fluorescent colour.
Clash caught up with TĀLĀ for a very quick Q&A – catch her answers after the jump.
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This is a global project, but rooted in London. What connects the two? Is it London's vitality and diversity that lies underneath this project?
I was born in London and growing up here has had a massive influence on my music. London is diverse and colourful and somewhere I'm proud to be from. I wanted to be that link in this project… connecting and exposing artists that we don't hear much over here and vice versa…
You've worked with a number of collaborators on this project, what do you think connects them?
Music and art… we are all artists and love to create. That is the ultimate connection.
Given the enormous borders of the project, it could have been easy to lose your way. What kept you on course? And how did you whittle down the material for 'MALIKA'?
It has honestly been a really challenging project for me. Working on different time zones, lots of people involved and also language barriers! Sometimes I feel when you're trying to do something different and push the boundaries it feels as if your constantly going against the grain.
It's harder, stressful and there are constant hurdles, but it is so much more rewarding. The material came together naturally, it was a combination of just being on the same vibe with all the collaborators and just having a lot of fun making these tunes. The challenge of it all and determination to evolve and keep pushing the boundaries as an artist is what kept me determined to pull it together.
You've worked with BANKS on this project – how was that?
BANKS is my girl! It was a lot of fun. We spent some time together in NY. Having some proper girl time and jamming in the studio with her was a lot of fun. She has such crazy energy, from the first time I met her I knew we were gonna make some shit together. For me its the rawness of her vocals and her honesty that gets me every time.
Cairo MCs Sadaat and Alaa Fifty are on one track. How did this tie up occur? Have you been checking out Egypt's underground scene? What are they like to work with?
The underground scene in Egypt really interested me, there is so much unheard raw talent just like so many other countries in the world that we just don't get the chance to hear.
The first time I really started delving into Sadaat and Alaa Fifty's shit I felt their energy and knew I had to get us in a room together somehow. They are extremely talented mcs and what they have to say has a lot of substance. They represent a new generation of Egyptian artists that are breaking the rules and mould of traditionalism and they are doing it in a big way!
Working with them at their label 100 Copies' studio in Cairo was an amazing experience and one I'Il never forget.
The new track 'Tell Me' has gone online, and features musicians from South Korea and London. Are you wary about such enormously varied partnerships, or does the differences between them inspire and excite you?
No quite the opposite actually. I feel it has pushed me as a producer because the challenge is to bring my sound to the artist to create something completely unique and fresh to both of us. It is so rewarding when we have something that we are all proud of, even if we can't tell each other in our own spoken languages. Ha! All of the collaborations have been super inspiring and I feel will help me evolve as a producer and artist.
Were Wa$$ap and Mssingno in the studio at the same time? What was the energy like?
Me and Mssingno originally worked on the track together in the studio with no intentions of working with Wa$$up at the time. It was a demo we made together on a mad one. I had an idea for a top line so we quickly banged a vocal on it and were like fuck it, it's a vibe.
We never got the chance to actually meet or work directly with Wa$$up. It was an idea I had, so we managed to make it all happen over the internet. I'd love to meet them in person one day when I get a chance to stop by South Korea.
What is your next step? An EP focussing solely on your own work, or further collaboration? How have these experiences shifted the way you approach songwriting?
I'm working on my album at the moment. There will be probably be some stuff in between, but I cant tell you about that yet. Right now I'm just focusing on putting together a body of work that me and my team are proud of. I just want to keep pushing myself.
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'MALIKA' is forthcoming. Tracklisting:
1. TĀLĀ & MssingNo feat. WA$$UP – 'Tell Me' (말해줘)
2. TĀLĀ feat. Banks – 'Wolfpack'
3. TĀLĀ feat. Sadat & Alaa Fifty – 'Enta Ayez (You Wish)'
4. TĀLĀ – 'Passport Pimpin'
5. TĀLĀ feat. Atiye – 'As I Am (Olduğum Gibi)'
6. TĀLĀ & Sylas – 'Praise'
