What song reminds you most of your childhood?That's a hard one, because I have the worst memory and I want to give you a genuine answer. It might be Charles Aznavour, “La Mamma.” There's something ancestral that I feel when I listen to that song, something that I feel is connected to my mom. She told me that when she was pregnant with me, her grandmother passed away and it had been such a moment of sorrow for her. When I would listen to this song, I could envision that woman's relationship to my mom, and I always think about how even within the womb, you're so connected to your mother. So maybe that's why there's such a deep resonance whenever I hear that song - it just takes me somewhere really deep, that I can't even quite articulate. |
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What was the first physical record you remember buying?
I bought CDs when I was super young, but I'm not actually sure what the first one was. I remember definitely Baduizm was a CD I loved when I was growing up. I used to love soul music, gospel music as well. I feel like Jill Scott and India Arie were some of the first women that inspired me in music. Their records were the first ones that I started engaging with on my own, outside of what my mom was listening to at home.
What song is the best representation of your hometown?
The record that comes immediately to my mind is Toumani Diabaté, New Ancient Strings. That record carries this essence of home, but also of longing and of distance, and maybe a sense of calling as well. Something I realized in later adulthood is that as someone who is Senegalese but was not born in Senegal, and who spent their whole life traveling around the world, I was always looking for traces of Senegal wherever I was. I would always look for people or sounds or colours that would remind me of that. And I think when I listen to this music in particular, it's a calling towards home, even though the idea of home is somewhat elusive.
What songs remind you of traveling to a specific place?
Garnett Silk really reminds me of a life-changing trip I took to Jamaica, and when I hear that music now, it instantly takes me back there. I found out that I was pregnant when I was on that trip, and although I was going through the most insane life-changing experience with all these hormonal imbalances in a completely unfamiliar place, I felt really held by the nature of that place. Because it was such an emotional time, the music that I was listening to at that time will always resonate in this really intense way.
What song do you wish you had written?
It has to be “Godspeed” by Frank Ocean. I've always liked that song, but it just hit me the other day how insanely amazing the lyrics are. The sentiment of what that song is saying is so beautiful to me, and it's just timeless. I was listening to James Blake perform it, and I was just like, “oh my goodness.” When I heard that, I was like, “I wish I could write something as beautiful as this.”
What’s the best song to play at a house party?As someone who does not party, I am not the best person to ask! But if it was something to play at a dinner party, I would probably go with Cesaria Evora. Her records make me super happy. “Besame Mucho” is a classic. The way she sings it is so gorgeous. I love her so much. She's like an icon in my eyes. Right. She's from Cape Verde… oh my gosh, this actually makes me want to change one of my old answers, to the song that reminds me of home! There's an artist called Bonga. You have to listen to his voice, he is amazing. I know I was saying the memories of Toumani Diabaté were connecting me to Senegal, but when I think about Toulouse, which is where I was born, one of the moments that really changed my trajectory as an artist was discovering Bonga. He was playing a live show by the river, and it was the first time I heard his song “Mona Ki Ngi Xica,” It is probably my favorite song of all time. I will always love it. |
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You’re abducted by aliens, and when you wake up on the spaceship, they pass you the aux. What is the song you’re playing to convince them not to destroy Earth?
My mind is going to Nina Simone, it is going to Marvin Gaye - people that can make you feel this sense of ease and beauty whilst also holding the incredible depth and complexity and darkness that we are also affected by in this world. I’m now thinking about hip-hop as well, because that does that same thing for me - it can make you feel so light and free, but then it can also totally mirror the sadness that I feel in the world as well. If I had to decide on one song, I think it has to be “Come Ye” by Nina Simone.
Stream anaiis’ new record, anaiis & Grupo Cosmo, here.