Artist Snapshot: Afia Kazuri
NAME: Afia Kazuri
SCHOOL: CC ’20
GENRE: Alternative R&B
WHAT THEY DO: Singer-Songwriter, Composer, Producer, Dancer and Visual Artist
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What’s a song you wish you could listen to for the first time again?
Either “Exist for Love” by Aurora or “Roll Some Mo” by Lucky Daye. Listening to both filled my heart with something heavy and sparkling and wonderful that I still can’t find a name for.
What’s your songwriting process like?
It’s very serendipitous and variegated! Sometimes, if I’m in a certain mood, I’ll be able to compose an entire melody and matching lyrical narrative in one sitting (those moods are a Godsend, to say the least!!). Other times, a hook or verse will play in my head nonstop like a ringtone, and all through the day, for weeks on end, I’m doomed to spend my daydreams searching for the rest of the song. No matter the process, however, it’s always a journey through which I discover and dissect emotions and memories I’d once misplaced at some point in time.
What inspires your music/where do you draw creative inspiration from?
A lot of my music draws upon romance, and generally romance applied to unorthodox or non-traditional contexts. I love the feeling of being in love, so I both consciously and subconsciously transpose it to nearly every feeling and experience I encounter, from looking in the mirror, to laughing with family, to dancing by the sea. It’s all love. I also dance and create visual art, and I love blurring the boundaries between the three mediums! Sometimes I’ll create a song with dance choreography and eye makeup colors in mind since the inception, for instance. Or I’ll allow the playful spirit of a painting I’m working on to become the muse of a new musical piece. It’s all very connected for me… the visual, the kinesthetic, the sonic. It’s all about making the intangible tangible.
Who is one artist/group you look up to?
Lauryn Hill! She was so authentically herself and phenomenally multi-faceted, gorgeous and talented yet she never wavered in her values. And the art she created… the feelings she articulated and brought to life and shared with us — she’s amazing!!
When did you start writing music/performing?
For as long as I can remember! I was a dancer before I was a singer, but having to cultivate such body awareness and stage presence from a young age has definitely given me a confidence I’m grateful I can now embody when I sing onstage. Audience-performer connectivity is a rare, beautiful and delicately evanescent form of magic.
Favorite place you’ve performed at so far? Dream venue in the future?
Battle of the Bands!! It was such an honor to have the opportunity and the energy was unreal!! It’s like playing a game in your home field, I guess <3 And my dream venue is Coachella!! I want to headline with songs that everyone sings all the lyrics to and sweats off all their glitter dancing to because they resonate with them so much. That’s my dream. And the Super Bowl, both the National Anthem and the Halftime Show, in that order! And kind of random, but Brazilian Carnival! I’ve been working on my samba for a minute, and I don’t even know if they allow American performers at this point, but if they do, I’m on it!!!
Is there anyone you’d like to collaborate with? Who and why?
Tyler, the Creator! His idiosyncratic, deep and playful approach to the genre made me like rap music. And really he’s just the goat, in everything from music, to fashion, to humor, to just being proud of and unapologetic about all that you are at all times! Jazmine Sullivan, as well, even if I’m just singing background vocals, honestly, I would feel blessed to be on the track. SZA, as well! I think our sounds and songwriting styles would really complement each other, and we’re both singer-dancers so the music video would be fyeee. Doja’s super dope, as well, and has literally never disappointed anyone on a single track in her life. Above all, Beyonce, of course!!!!!
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
I love being able to communicate with people through my music. That’s the biggest thing for me, being able to translate a feeling into a melody and transmit it throughout the world, and have it be heard and answered, all in just a couple of minutes. I love when people say my music helped them – that’s my biggest goal, to extend comfort and joy to friends I haven’t met yet.
What’s an album with no skips?
“The Idler Wheel…” by Fiona Apple. You’ll forget the skip function was even created, I promise. And maybe cry, too.
What’s your favorite music video?
This isn’t technically a music video, but Beyonce’s 2013 Super Bowl Halftime Show. I’m literally about to watch it right now since you’ve reminded me. Every. Single. Aspect — Impeccable.