We recently had a chance to catch up with the incredible emi, a dazzling emerging talent set to take the music scene by storm with her fantastic new single, “One Of Them”. Hot on the heels of her electrifying track “Metamorphosis,” which exploded with over 5 million streams in just a month across the UK, US, and Germany, and was creatively captured in over 30,000 TikTok videos, emi is ready to elevate her game to even greater heights.
With a vibrant perspective on self-discovery and identity, emi masterfully weaves captivating narratives through her music, pulling listeners into her spellbinding world. Her voice combines raw emotion with a polished delivery that will leave you breathless! Each song tells a mesmerizing story, revealing the powerful feelings and experiences that shape her artistry. Her sound is an exhilarating mix of electronic, pop, indie, and R&B elements, creating a unique style that resonates with both personal and universal themes. This rich tapestry of influences reflects the intricate complexity of her life, making her music all the more compelling. As she continues to evolve and shine brightly, emi is absolutely a name you won’t want to miss—she’s destined for greatness.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest single, ‘One Of Them’?
My source of inspiration for all my songs is everything that is around me and the experience I have been or I am going through. I am always transmitting all my feelings and emotions through the music I make.
With ‘Metamorphosis’ achieving over 5 million streams in just a month, how does it feel to receive such incredible recognition for your music?
“Metamorphosis” achieved the first 5 million in September and it has been an incredible journey to be a part of. It’s a one in a million chance to see these numbers come to life this soon, and I really appreciate every person that has listened to the song, it means a lot for me to achieve this amount of attention and love to my music at such an early stage of my career.
Growing up in Kyiv with a multicultural background, how has your heritage influenced your music and artistic expression?
Growing up in Kyiv with a rich blend of Korean and Lebanese heritage has given me a uniquely diverse perspective on the world. My mixed cultural background has profoundly shaped who I am today, which naturally reflects in my music, as it’s an extension of myself. Being exposed to various cultures, people, and traditions has shown me the beauty of diversity and reinforced the importance of pursuing your passion, regardless of where you come from or who you are.
You explore themes of self-discovery and identity in your songs. Can you share a specific experience or moment that has deeply impacted your songwriting?
I believe that every moment that went quite emotionally through me, I needed to let it out somehow and in my way it became music. Creating music is like therapy to me.
Your music blends multiple genres. Which artists, musical or otherwise, have shaped your style the most?
The music and the artists I listen to are very different from the sound I am making.
But I really love some artists that I can look up to not only for the music they make but also for their path of becoming who they are today. They inspire and motivate me to work harder and pursue my dream.
One of those artists is Billie Eillish, at such a young age she has accomplished a lot in her career and got recognition for all the beautiful music she is making.
You mentioned your background in dancing—how has your experience influenced your approach to music and performance?
In 2020, I became part of a hip-hop dance crew called “IWD.” Although I eventually had to step away from dancing to focus more on my music career, the experience had a profound impact on my musical journey. Being part of the crew taught me to appreciate the intricate elements that bring a song to life. I learned to listen to music from different perspectives and explore its deeper layers. Additionally, I gained valuable insight into the history of hip-hop music, which laid a strong foundation for my understanding of its sound and culture.
How does your vision for the visuals complement the themes and messages in your music?
The visual and the sound in my music represent the same message and meaning but in different senses one you see, one you hear.
Social media, particularly TikTok, has played a significant role in boosting your work. What are your thoughts on the relationship between music and social media platforms?
Yes, you are right, social media, and especially TikTok, plays a crucial role for musicians as a promotion tool. It’s both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it’s a great opportunity for your work to reach a big audience. On the other hand, the artist’s identity often gets lost in the process: listeners remember the sound but not the creator.
Additionally, there’s a growing dependence on these platforms. It feels like breaking through without TikTok is impossible, and there’s always the risk of losing your audience if your account gets banned. This happened to me: after the success of Metamorphosis, my TikTok account was blocked without explanation, and I had to start from scratch. At first, it was hard, but then I realized they can take away my account, but not me. If I succeeded once, I can do it again. During this time, I managed to build a core audience, and now they are my foundation for future growth.
Can you describe the creative process behind your music? How do you approach songwriting and production?
The process is always the same for me.
We get together in the studio with the producer and create from just a melody a complex beat that will be full of small details that creates a unique sound.
If there is inspiration and energy right after producing we start with the recording, the text can be written right in the moment of recording.
But in the other case, I need some time after creating the beat and we get together at the studio a few days later after I have put together all the lyrics to the song and then we start the recording process.
What message do you hope listeners take away from ‘One Of Them’ and your music in general?
“One Of Them” is a song that talks about a person who is not accepted into society he wants to be a part of. The message is that sometimes the space you want to fit in is really not the best place for you, the fact that you’re not accepted might be helping you to get to your best place. move on and be comfortable with who you are and surround yourself with people who will love you for your true self.
Are there any upcoming collaborations or projects that you’re particularly excited about?
Yes, there’s one project I’m particularly excited about right now. It’s a collaboration, though I won’t reveal with whom just yet. Let’s just say it’s an artist who has also made a significant name for himself for the last two years — so you definitely know him. I can’t wait for the moment we get to share this work with the audience.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for your music career in the next few years, and how do you hope to evolve as an artist?
My approach to music is centered on trusting the process and enjoying the journey. Setting goals is essential to keep my music thriving, but I believe in allowing creativity to unfold naturally rather than rushing it. Everything happens in its own time, and I’m dedicated to working thoughtfully and diligently to bring more of my music to life. Currently, I spend a lot of time in the studio, consistently creating new projects—primarily singles—while also collaborating with other artists and producers.
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One Of Them is out now: https://lnk.to/one-of-them
