Chinwe

“Chinwe is confidently carving out her own lane in the dual worlds of soul and R&B” - Complex
 

East London’s Chinwe creates music as a means to make sense of the world around her. An introspective artist, her latest release “Paranoia” transforms past setbacks into personal growth - discovering the light within. 

Fusing the contemporary musical stylings of Portishead with the rich, jazz filled rhythms of Nina Simone, Chinwe’s brooding soundscapes glitter with rich instrumentals and her warm vocal timbre. Following the 

release of her debut EP Scar Tissue, Chinwe ushers in a new era with “Paranoia” as she sets her sights on her sophomore EP project - due for release early 2023. 

“Don’t look behind” she urges the listener, “you won’t like what you find”. This is the track’s mantra, imploring that we find beauty and gratification in the present as opposed to fixating on the troubles of the past. Accompanied by the gentle plucking of her harp, “Paranoia” is filled with celestial magic - laced with Chinwe’s soulful vocals and shimmering electronics. 

Soft and sweet, “The single is about looking back on situations and feeling let down by people -  like no one really has your back”, she explains. “Sometimes it changes you and you try to protect yourself from the same things happening again. But we’re all flawed as human beings and we can’t shut ourselves off from everyone. That’s kind of what the song is getting at –  we all make mistakes, but hopefully we grow from them and embrace the lessons.”

The daughter of a Nigerian father and a Jamaican Mother, Chinwe was exposed to an eclectic range of music from an early age. Having played classical violin as a child, the self-taught musician started writing songs as a teenager and began experimenting with production as another outlet for her creativity. During lockdown she experimented with the harp - an instrument which features heavily on her new releases and has helped to further shape her unique sound.  

With support from the likes of Complex, Wonderland, Fred Perry Subculture, BBC 1XTRA (Jamz Supernova) and BBC Introducing (Tom Robinson), “Paranoia” is masterfully curated from start to finish, a beautiful representation of her artistic talent.

“Paranoia” is out now through DMY, with her sophomore EP soon to follow in the new year.