British pop sensation Anassa has been making waves in the music scene with her unique blend of club-inspired beats and infectious melodies. Following the success of her debut single “On and On,” which featured MOBO award-winning rapper Alika, the Manchester-based artist is rapidly rising to the top of the pop world. Anassa’s talent for seamlessly merging club culture, catchy hooks, and soaring vocals sets her apart from the crowd, making her one to watch in 2023.
Last month, Anassa released her sophomore single, “Stay Over,” which showcases her innate ability to craft feel-good anthems that linger in listeners’ minds. The track is an irresistible combination of Anassa’s sugar-sweet vocals, a funky bassline, and a stomping four-to-the-floor rhythm, culminating in a memorable chorus exploring themes of love and desire.
Having already made her mark on the industry with her standout features on 2022’s club hits “Summer of Love” with Tom Ferry and “Too Blind” by renowned UK producer Z Dot, Anassa continues to prove she has what it takes to make a lasting impact in the music world.
In our exclusive interview with the rising pop star, Anassa opens up about her creative journey, the inspiration behind her latest single “Stay Over,” and her experiences navigating the exhilarating world of club culture. Read on for our full conversation!
To start, can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you initially became interested in pursuing a career in music?
Hmm, I’d say I’ve always loved performing, I remember in kindergarten I was Mary in the nativity and, despite dropping Jesus on his head, I loved being on stage. Then when I started school, I was desperate to get into the chamber choir, but I failed the audition, so I was determined to get the end-of-year solo, but I also didn’t get that, so I think it’s the toddler in me refusing to be told no, either that or I need to start reading the signs from the universe.
What would you say are the main influences that have shaped your musical style and artistry, and how have they evolved over time?
I would say my school journeys really shaped my music, I’d be on the bus for about 2 hours each day and I used to love making playlists to show my friends. I didn’t really go to parties so looking back I think it was my way of trying to get an invite, maybe I thought they needed a DJ. I was obsessed with Jay-Z’s Tidal because I got music premieres so I was listening to and discovering such a variety of music and also thought I was really cool the I was the only one that could listen to ‘Lemonade’. I think this eventually narrowed down to my favorite artists and genres that influences my music now.
“Stay Over” showcases your sugar-sweet vocals and a funky bassline that’s sure to get people dancing. Can you tell us about the creative process behind the song and what inspired its feel-good energy?
Aw, thank you! That’s really kind of you! I remember I was speaking to a guy at the time but we would only ever see each other on the weekends, I came into the studio and we did our usual mini-therapy session of me telling Ray all my problems, and said, “So basically you want him to stay over on the weekdays now?”
From there, we formulated the song almost like a message of everything I want to say to this boy about making it more official because I don’t have the balls to say it myself. At the time I think I was hoping it would come on the dance floor to say it and solve my problems for me.
It obviously arrives on the heels of your debut record, “On and On,” with Alika. In terms of where you want to go as an artist, where would you say these two records fit in the fold?
I would say these tracks are both upbeat dance tracks and that’s the kind of music I’ve always wanted to make. When I first started writing I used to write a lot of ballads but then when it came to performing I wanted to get everyone up and dancing, which was difficult when I’m on the verge of tears at a piano, so I made the shift to uptempo feel-good tracks because I’m having the best time when I’m performing and I want everyone else to as well!
How do you think your music and personal style intersect, and in what ways would you consider they influence each other?
I would say I’m quite different from my music, I think music is somewhere I can escape, do and say all the things I want to without having to overthink anything, which is what I do minute by minute in my real life. In that way, I guess it’s like my subconscious, so its almost so much like me, that I’m not even aware of it, or really it’s the me I’d like to be underneath it all.
Although you’re still very early in your career, what’s been your favorite part of it thus far?
Oh that’s really tough, the one that springs to mind, as I was there last weekend, was when we filmed a showcase at Heaven Nightclub London. It was so amazing, I got the opportunity to work with the incredible Tobias Ellehammer, who created the most unbelievable choreography to some of my unheard tracks and it blew my mind.
I got the chance to work with the four most talented and hilarious guys I’ve ever met—Cruze, Ainsley, Christian, and Johnny—and to see them bring my songs to life is something I can’t really quantify in words. Oh sorry please can I do two, also hearing my song on BBC Radio 1 on my fave show Future Pop with Molly King, that was ridiculous!
Finally, what’s one piece of advice that you live by?
Don’t put spaghetti in the pan until the water is boiling or it sets on fire.
