To say Zowie’s musical career has been a success would be an understatement. Although most people would view this achievement as an overnight event with a backdrop of luck, real fans know her as a long-term vocal powerhouse. Making her debut in 2021 with “Red Flag,” and “Space,” listeners gravitated towards her soulful and enchanting lyricism that eventually saw her grace the much coveted COLORS performance in 2023.
African artists in the diaspora have played a huge role in African music’s expansion into other continents. Over the years we have seen cross continent collaborations such as One Dance by Wizkid, Drake and Kyla that have shifted attention to African music. In 2021, Essence by Wizkid and Tems became the first Nigerian song to chart the Billboard Hot 100 and was further certified platinum in the United States. Hitting closer to home Rayvanny and Diamond Platnumz's Tetema gained regional popularity resulting in a remix with Colombian singer Malumo and it charted the Billboard Mexico, proving that music goes beyond language.
Growing up in both USA and Kenya has had a profound impact on Zowie’s music, making it genre defying and unable to be boxed, just like her dual identity. In December 2024, she released her 8-track sophomore EP Spiral Tape, a testimony of growth, self discovery, self hate while boasting her penmanship skills. With a sound bed ranging from neo-mellow to rock and indie, Zowie delivers a sterling 23-minute solo performance. In Spiral Tape, Zowie suggests that indeed sometimes we are the problem, tapping into a state of honesty and self acceptance. Starting off with How Do You, where the intricate guitar riffs accompany Zowie as she personifies the detrimental overthinker that questions what their lover thinks, “..tell me what's on your mind, I don't wanna fuss or fight.” ‘Spiral Tape,’ allows us to see the singer-songwriter admitting that, “it doesn’t always have to be the other party who messed up.” In Taboo we understand the desperation of being in love whilst clamoring for assurance. The jazzy riffs in the track create the feeling of a warm nostalgia. The order of the tape’s themes is striking, reflecting the cycle of attachment; we love them, we argue, we fall out, we become toxic but eventually we leave, and we heal. Floodbank is a sea of Zowie's introspection, leaning on breath phonation and a quiet delivery, a vocal choice that is enhanced by the production of the song. In Dead Wrong we see how love can get sour between partners, reflected in the poignant piano keys echoing at the back of your mind as they mingle with the track’s electronic elements creating dissonance. The constant need to please others and the drained energy from begging for recognition is encapsulated in HellPitt, where Zowie sings of the recurring cycle of abuse when trying to slavage a hopeless situation.
Spiral Tape pushes Zowie to take on a mature personality. Her silken voice draws in listeners and captivates their attention with the combination of smooth melodies and thrilling percussions. The project is another addition to the growing Kenyan alternative music discography. Her earnest delivery of emotions breathes freshness, making it a project with high replay value. She breaks out of the norm of singing about unrequited love and self-victimisation, and instead dips her feet into rocky paths of self awareness that is not afraid to admit that she has a role to play in the relationship's downfall.
Zowie and I had a chat about the making of Spiral Tape, her identity, and the need for accountability. Her calm, demure yet timid presence was the backdrop for the whole interview, a paradox that seamlessly translates into her music.
I noticed that since your debut, your blonde hair has been a big part of your identity. What’s the story behind that?
I remember when I graduated highschool I wanted to shave my head. During my highschool years, I didn't like what I was doing with my hair. Even though I had saloonists. When I started college I started shaving my head, as it grew I got the urge to dye my hair but wasn't too sure of the colour. But on some random day I bought the honey blonde color pack and it has been my statement ever since.
You debuted in 2021 with Red Flag. Did you always know you were going to pursue music since childhood?
I knew from the beginning that music was going to be my thing but I was moving in a space of I didn’t know what was happening in the music scene and how to move around it. I was just trying my own thing and finding my voice. When I started working with producer Josh Ngethe, he had also doubled in instruments and was starting to produce stuff. We started making some random shit and at some point I got money to purchase the equipment that I still use until today. I think I recorded it on my phone or garageband. I am not too sure though lol, music just came naturally to me.
“Even though I would have started with a whack song, I would still be one of the greatest because I appreciate growth.”
You reside both in Kenya and the diaspora but mainly spend time in the States, how did you find yourself tapping into the Kenyan market?
Wow, I mean you know, [laughs] Nairobi is very small so when I started music I began connecting with Kenyan musicians who introduced me to other artists. I didn't have a specific person as my link up. When I first started doing music, Ndung’u Mbithi hit me up to perform at his event ‘Meet Me.’ After my debut project You Never Learn dropped, I opened up for Maya Amolo and from there I just had shows with Ndungu and I had my online presence. I feel I am more intentional at the moment compared to before. This is in terms of marketing and reaching out to mag[azines]. Before I would release and go on with my day, but these days I am more in tune with my fans.
So Spotify and COLORS teamed up in 2023 to showcase East African talent and you were among their picks for Kenyan R&B artists. I am sure this moment was exciting but did you expect it? I knew I was gonna be in COLORS one day for sure, but I didn't think it was gonna happen that quickly. I mean my first song was in 2021 and my debut tape was in 2022. It was so crazy because I was having my Kenyan Summer and I was out and about with my friend Quasim who I went to school with. So I was on vacation mode and out of nowhere I got the email notifying me that I have been shortlisted. I was in full rush mode trying to think what I should send and “Projects” was among them. Spotify liked the song and we went with it. The way it started I didn't feel like I was worthy of the opportunity, but then again when God puts you in a position you are supposed to show out.
What was the road to preparation for the performance? Your outfit caused a buzz.
I have a friend and stylist called Dalton Odiyo and he’s really good at his craft. I remember when I got the acceptance email from Spotify and COLORS, Odiyo was the first person I hit up. I knew I had this catchy R&B song that has a message but I also wanna do something grand with fashion. For COLORS I feel like it’s not really about the music only, it's also the outfit. Odiyo wanted to hear the song but I was like no, you are gonna use the lyrics to dress me up and I do not want that. I wanted something grand, I wanted to pique his mind. We were thinking of local brands but we knew the artists were also gonna do that. So, Odiyo and I went to a store in Nairobi, I keep forgetting its name. Immediately I walked in, Odiyo and I were dumbfounded because we found the fit immediately. The henna part was really last minute but I really love henna. I thought it made my whole fit too rad. The studio was grand and everything was live. I had my own room with snacks, you know I was on that superstar treatment. It was definitely nice.
You performed “Project” which was to be in your new EP, Spiral Tape, but it seems like it never made the cut. How do you choose the songs which make it to the tapes?
Project was actually to be on You Never Learn. I made the song last minute when we were mixing and mastering with Hawi Okello and I kept telling him it's the last song. I was hesitant and my instincts told me to hold off a little bit and release it after six months as a single, which paid off. I would say it was divine timing. Of course, I try to be in a state of let me try to make a tape, go through the beats, brainstorm, then create. Whatever I feel is worthy to come out I just release it.
“The way it started I didn't feel like I was worthy of the opportunity, but them gain when God puts you in a position you are supposed to show out.”
Your songs often touch on heavy themes of self discovery and the pain of the process. What is your song writing process? Do you have a book scribbled with lyrics or do you write on your phone?
Usually my creative process is the melody first- humming, then of course the words will come out. My mood heavily dictates it. Sometimes it's a freestyle, sometimes I am notebook girlie and I just go in on the lyrics.
What was the creative direction behind Spiral Tape with the name and the cover art?
The name has a connection with the subject matter of the tape. With this tape I wanted to talk about facing your demons and understanding life is very yin/yang. With the cover I knew I wanted to play with the colors. Actually you know, I realized with both my projects I have had bangs- I don't know what my relationship with bangs is. Anyway, this tape was a bit alternative compared to my first tape so I wanted to play with colors and wigs and I worked with my friend on it. I knew I really didn't want it to be like the contemporary covers, I wanted it to have a unique feeling. I guess I played into the blonde persona.
Is there a specific reason you don’t include collaborators in your projects?
[laughs] I don't want to sound cocky but the thing is, I have worked with a lot of people but I don't know why I haven't yet thought of someone to feature on my tape. I guess because most of the time what I create is intimate just like everyone is when creating their art. When working on the songs I just wanted to chill and not have anyone’s opinion on my song especially with people being off the subject matter. I felt having another voice would take away from my main message and experience. Of course, I want to work with so many people but it's nothing big or crazy.
In “Floodbank,” you read out a poem by your sister Zoria who is also a poet. Why did you feel it important to include the piece?
See I do have collaborators! This poem came about in such a funny way. I came across this poem in 2022 and we had argued just before the time when it came out on my sister’s page. When I saw the poem I thought it was about me and I started projecting and over reacting. So, when I wrote Floodbank, it just hit home, because it connected with the whole tape and the subject matter of the song. It just clicked. I really do love my sister's writing. She's the one person I go to when I am creating my songs. I value her opinion and I look up to her because she is a beautiful writer.
Throughout the project we experience different emotions from rage, hopelessness and even acceptance. What was the thought process in creating the project?
I had to really dig deep into myself, just to be in the space I was when I was writing this tape. I had to come to terms with emotions, lay everything on the table and not be too harsh to myself. My thoughts at times were like “I sound evil as fuck,” and I was like yeah I wanna talk about it. This is the difference between this tape and my first one. The first one I was like fuck you and everything, but now I am also accepting my nature and saying fuck me too.
What was the standout track when creating the project?
Soft Eyes is such a good finisher. It’s that stage where it does get better, we do learn and we do grow.
So interesting because each song on the tape has been a favourite for me.
I genuinely love that I always try to make a balanced body of work. It's not just one song that speaks with you, there is always beauty in everything
What are your predictions for the alternative music space this year?
I guess I would say I hope more people do whatever they wanna do and we have more people coming out of their shell.