Q+A: SixSaidIt

Having roots in the UK, Atlanta, New York, and more, not many artists are as diverse and gifted as the British-Nigerian-born rapper SixSaidIt, who has been able to take her various backgrounds into an ever-expanding sound. Her latest project, Outside I, was a testament and example of how much she can push the boundaries of music. Recently releasing her Afropop single “Choosey,” SixSaidIt was able to talk to us about her inspiration for the track, her career, and upcoming work.   

Photographer: @jnr.photography_

You are a hard worker, having written a book, worked as a nurse and in cosmetology, and are maintaining an entire independent music career. What drives you to be so work-oriented?

All I've ever been around are work-oriented people. All of my family members have always worn many hats so growing up I thought it was normal to flip and switch careers however you pleased. I grew up around serial entrepreneurs and as for my mother, I've seen her dibble and dabble in just about everything from education, IT, healthcare, real estate, and fashion. Based on my environment, it was inevitable that I would become a multi-hyphenate much like those that raised me.

It feels like you’ve been everywhere from Atlanta, New York, LA, and more. What is something you’ve learned from all this traveling?

I've learned the art of assimilation and have gained a wider sense of understanding and acceptance for cultures that differ from mine. Being able to assimilate in spaces that are somewhat foreign to me has allowed me to get a deeper sense and respect for their cultures and has also afforded me the opportunity to keep an open mind about other spaces I may be unfamiliar with. 

I love the 60s talk show aesthetic used in the music video for “Choosey.” Why did you decide on that even though you took inspiration from a 2000s track?

I feel like music videos in the early 2000s played around a lot with their themes and concepts and never took it too seriously. Videos then were more comical and bright and some of the most common ones were some sort of a variation of an old tv show like the “Hey Ya” music video by OutKast. I knew I wanted to do something reminiscent of that era of music videos while also tying in the subject matter of the song. I thought TheDating Game was the perfect show to kind of mimic as far as set design but also relating it back to the song which talks about dating options.

From a tweet, in September 2020 you say, “Choosey is a fucking bop and if you’ve seen it in your email and ignored it you’re going to regret it.” What was the story behind that?

I wrote “Choosey” with the intention of it being like another “Ladies Night” by Lil Kim. I structured it to where I would feature a number of other female artists to the point that when I first recorded it, I only recorded my first verse and the hook and left enough space for multiple verses. The second verse didn't come about until this year, a full 2 years after I wrote the song. I sent it to every manager, A&R, DJ, and entourage member I could find on IG to get it to some of my faves but unfortunately, it was left in their inboxes collecting dust. I knew then it was a banger and was just disappointed that I didn't even at least get a “no not feeling it”       

Photographer: @jnr.photography_

Were there any changes in the song from the original to what we have now?

Yes! The original featured female rapper Sudxn who is another super-talented artist from Brooklyn. However; after two years I felt we both had grown lyrically and wanted to give us both the opportunity to revisit this epic song. When I came to New York to finish Outside II once and for all, “Choosey” was most definitely one of my focus tracks and unfortunately, due to scheduling, Sudxn was unavailable. So I completed a new second verse that I felt was strong and instead of the song having three verses, we cut it down to the two you hear today. I still have hope for the She-Mix and I’m hoping that now that it's out, Sudxn and other female rappers are down to drop a couple bars. 

In your work, for instance, in your Outside  EP, you mix multiple genres like afrobeat and drill. Do you plan to continue having this wide variety of styles, or do you have a preference?

I feel like as a person, I consider myself to be a mix of styles and cultures and I want that to be continued in my music. Our art is often a reflection of who we are and I'd like to continue to embrace the fact that I am different and that I like different sounds. 

Speaking of Outside, can you share more about your upcoming project Outside II?

Outside II is my unapologetic introduction to the music world as a genre-flexible rapper. The tracklist was made to mimic a DJ set and also a night out on the town but except the world is your high street. 

What led you to the artist name SixSaidIt?

The number Six has been a reoccurring number my entire life — birthdays, floor levels, positions, placements, just everywhere. I guess you could say it's an Angel number and the older I get the more the number becomes significant. 

Sadly rap is still a sexist industry; female rappers are still separated from their male counterparts. I mean even the phrase ‘female rappers’ is a problem within itself. From your experience, do you see this issue improving anytime soon?

For my sake and for everyone that comes after me I sure do hope the toxic environment enveloped around the women in hip-hop movement changes. Before I got into music I thought it all to be a myth because the world and workforce has become more progressive over time, but I was unfortunately met with the reality that the music industry is most definitely still stuck on dated misogynistic ideals; they're just able to cover it up better. Sometimes I listen to “rap” playlists and get so disappointed at the influx of mid-male rappers that I know at least 20 female rappers both mainstream and underground that could rap circles around them. The scale and standard that is set for both male and female rappers is woefully unbalanced and even when we still shatter the expectations in appearance, performance, and marketability, we still are given the short end of the stick when it comes to platforms. Even when we finally do get the appropriate rewards and acclimations it is almost ALWAYS challenged and discredited. You would think that knowing this would be enough for me to bow out gracefully but the thing I love the most about myself and other “female” rappers is that even in the face of such adversity and disrespect, we keep raising the bar and keep pushing and keep making our presence and influence known regardless of what the industry thinks they can control. 

What do you want out of this career when you are all set and done?

All I've ever wanted out of this was to be heard and to be able to execute and express my wildest and most creative ideas on a global stage. I also want to continue to be given the opportunity to be a student and learn and absorb as much as I can about music and different cultures and have the freedom to share it with everyone that's willing to listen.

What is your favorite part of being an artist?

Seeing your ideas come to live and watching different people interpret it and utilize it in their own way. I always get super excited making new music and then sharing it with people 

Favorite zodiac sign to hang with?

I’m an Aquarius so naturally, I love being around other Aquariuses because the gworls that get it, GET IT! Lol but ironically enough a great majority of my friends are Cancers and Scorpios 

Give me a song that reminds you of each area:

Atlanta: “Bend Over” by The Rich Kidz

UK: “Heartbroken” by T2

L.A.: “Why You Always Hatin?” by YG

Nigeria: “No Lele” by Wizkid

Anything else you'd like to say that I might’ve missed? 

My favorite thing in life is watching reality TV shows and discussing them shamelessly on social media so if you like RHOP,  RHOA, RHOD, MAFS UK, Love Island UK, Selling Sunset, Love is Blind, Sweet Life on HBO Max, the list goes ON follow me on Twitter so we can discusssss.

Stream Outside II