Rising Ivory Coast musician and well-versed musician snny has just released his new single ‘Postmodern Black’ via Radio Silence. The single will form part of his long-anticipated debut album release later this year. To date, the musician currently sits over a whopping 12 million streams across major music streaming platforms. His previous release, EP Otito features an impressive production team with Alex Mendoza (producer of song ‘Trampoline’ by SHAED), Scott Hoffman (Scissor Sisters), and Starchild & The New Romantic (Toro y Moi, Solange and Blood Orange).
We find out what makes snny tick in this exclusive with him.
What are some of your earliest memories of music?
My mother playing records around the house and especially lots of church music. I specifically remember the first time I watched the music video for ‘Thriller’ and I was blown away. I probably fell in love with music videos first before actually realizing I was into music.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
A lot of ideas happen in the shower. There’s something about water that just brings the best out. I usually form a story or use some keywords to then paint with before bringing any instruments into play. The lyrics and melody come together simultaneously upon conception.
You have previously shared,“‘Postmodern Black’ is, to me, a sonic manifestation of my own self-reliance.” Can you elaborate on this?
I see it more like a score to a moment in a film where the underdog realizes his potential & throws all self-doubt out the window.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
I don’t think you can compare both really. I feel like they are both intimate in their own way. I thoroughly enjoy doing both, at the end of the day I want to create something in the studio that I myself would want to hear and perform at a live performance.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
Getting Bob Dylan’s okay to approval to reimagine his classic ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’
If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?
It would be a pretty eclectic space, everything from traditional Ivorian music to Brazilian rap, french disco, to everything in between.
Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show
my late great uncle “Ernesto DjeDje” his album Le Roi Ziglibithien, MC Binladen & self-titled album, Paul Desmond – Glad to be Unhappy, Toro y Moi – Outer Peace, Crack Cloud – Pain Olympics.
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
Spreading positivity and influencing change. Ushering in the new while remembering the old.
What emotions were you trying to evoke in yourself with this single?
I wanted the single to represent strength, conviction and self-confidence, which are all extremely important especially as a black creative.
One last thought to leave your fans with?
Create create create.
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