At 17, E1EVEN wasn’t just dreaming of music; she was living it. With a laptop as her notepad and a beat in her heart, she found solace in a studio in Cardiff, crafting raw verses that would one day ignite the UK music scene.

From those early studio sessions, E1EVEN’s talent spilled onto the digital streets. Her freestyles on Instagram, raw and unfiltered, resonated with a growing audience. It wasn’t just the music; it was the honesty, the vulnerability, and the sheer force of a young woman owning her space. These freestyles weren’t just viral hits; they were invitations to a shared experience, a window into the soul of a rising artist refusing to be boxed in.

And then came the stages. From the intimate confines of Tramshed to the bustling energy of Boxpark Shoreditch, and the hallowed halls of Wembley, E1EVEN’s music found its live wings. Each performance, a testament to her relentless hustle, her infectious energy, and the undeniable power of her music to connect. E1EVEN owned every stage, leaving a trail of sweat, fire, and the undeniable feeling that something special was brewing.

This isn’t a fairy tale; it’s the story of a young woman, fueled by resilience and passion, carving her own path in the music industry.

In our interview with E1EVEN, we delve into her incredible journey from recording her first song “No Drama” to believing in her talent, and dropping her latest single, “Wins.”

E1EVEN’s journey in the music industry started at 17, she says, “I’ve always wanted to pursue a music career even as a young girl. I started writing songs on my laptop at 13 and got into the studio for the first time at 17. A while before, I had dropped out of college for personal reasons.“

I found a studio in Cardiff and booked a session and brought a friend with me, which is where I made ‘No Drama’, which is my most loved song when I perform. The first mix wasn’t even mixed properly, but I just remember feeling so happy with myself for going. It was like gold to me. At the time, it just gave me hope. It felt like confirmation that I was capable of achieving whatever I wanted. I truly believe that even where the odds have been against me. That first session will forever be a core memory.

Her freestyles on Instagram have garnered significant attention, and she tells us that releasing her first freestyle online was such an anxiety-inducing yet exciting experience. Although, she is of the belief that those freestyles are what got her booked and busy, as she was yet to release an official single, but kept getting approached to perform by multiple artists and events.

Those performances range from Tramshed in Grangetown to Boxpark Shoreditch and Wembley, and she highlights that the performance at Boxpark was the biggest deal for her, It was hard to wrap her mind around the fact that she had a fully rammed out event in London without an official track out.

The vocalist has gained immense support through her shows and freestyles and she believes the bond she shares with those who support her is very integral to the longevity of her career, She hopes to invite her supporters into her space, and have them see so much more of her creative process.

The success of EIEVEN’s career has been undeniable but not without trials, She faced so many challenges and delays before releasing her first video. Within the timeline, she had felt emotionally lonely and increasingly frustrated when the people around her didn’t seem to have her best interest at heart. It had left her feeling like no matter how hard she tried, negative things kept happening to impede her progress. Although now, she feels differently, she believes the video actually wasn’t ready to come out at the time, and has chosen to surrender to God’s plan.

This rising star loves and references her Jamaican and Somali heritage, she is confident that her Jamaican heritage has influenced her music and artistic vision, as she grew up listening to a lot of reggae and dancehall music. Although, she wasn’t really raised Somali, she identifies as a proud Somali woman, and hopes to give back to the Somali community in the UK who have supported her immensely.

Her creative process has always been indigenous to her, She prefers to play a few beats and then freestyle her melody. When we enquired about the details of the process, she said,

“It really depends. Usually, I’ll play a few beats and I’ll freestyle some melodies. Once I think I have gotten the best one, it usually becomes the hook unless I think of something better. Other times, I just want to write about a specific situation. They’re both enjoyable processes but freestyling works the best for me.”

E1EVEN’s personal ethos is to stay true to her authentic self, and distance herself from anyone that tries to make her compromise her values. She prioritizes protecting her peace of mind from people who may try to take advantage of her vulnerability as an artist.

Her recently released track “Wins” has been doing the numbers on social media and she shared the inspiration and motivation behind the song.

“The inspiration behind ‘Wins’ was the honeymoon phase of my last relationship when I was 18, and I am certain it resonates with girls experiencing similar emotions. I always wanted to make a motivational song, and this was the second song I ever recorded. I learnt a lot from that song and can’t wait to take it out of the archives. I’ve grown so much since recording “Wins,” and it shows in my music too.”

The songstress loves the city of Cardiff immensely, It is her hometown and has shaped a multitude of her life experiences. She has lived in different areas of Cardiff including Docks, Adamsdown, Canton and recognises that Cardiff will always be her home and the core of her identity as an artist. Her musical influences, though, range from Rihanna to Migos, and genres such as Rap, RnB, Dancehall and reggae which have shaped her musical journey thoroughly.

In 2024, The Cardiff native hopes to work with so many talented people and level up her journey in every way possible. She would love to break down doors as a female artist from Wales, and uplift other female creatives knowing the grit it takes to make it as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Finally, A tour will be on the horizon in 2025.

Like every true artist, E1EVEN hopes to leave a message and legacy through her music, she wants women to feel inspired like they have never been. In her own words,

A message I hope to leave through my music is that you are capable of anything in life. Life can be a bitch sometimes, but it is important to embrace those moments when you feel a certain way and remind yourself of your inner strength, I want people to feel empowered through my music. I want to use my music to highlight how important mental health is. I want girls/guys like me to know they’re not alone in this and that bad bitches have bad days too. We all need to be reminded that everything about you is what makes you unique, and comparison is the thief of joy. Embrace and love yourself even when it’s not so glamorous.

E1EVEN’s story is not just inspirational, it is also aspirational, She isn’t your average rising star. Her journey is woven from freestyles in smoky Cardiff studios, the grit of Boxpark Shoreditch, and the unyielding spirit of a young woman determined to carve her own path in the music industry. In this exclusive interview, she has laid bare her raw journey, from teenage bedroom beats to viral freestyles, and the empowering legacy she aims to leave behind.

Stream E1EVEN’s new single on all streaming platforms.

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CREDITS

Creative Direction/Styling/Hair: Jasper Robertson @f_j_robertson

Photography: Taiye Omokore @taiye_omokore

Interviewer: Laurine Johnson @laurine_j.x

Styling Assistant: Elina Lee @elinaleecreates

Mua: Oyindamola Afolayan @dambeautyglow

DOP: Noah Bakour @noah.bakour

Article: Angel Joanne Okonkwo @_angeljo