If you haven’t heard of rising rap star SYM, then get ready to hear the name more often as we head into 2021. Coined the Princess of UK Rap, she struck gold upon the release of videos like “Talk My Sh!t” and “No Doubt (Freestyle),” which caught the eyes and ears of many.
Since then, the London-based artist has shown no signs of slowing down, attracting a wider audience with every release as she showcases her growth as an artist through a unique blend of swagger and raunchy rap lyrics. SYM is poised to be yet another pillar in the UK’s growing music scene, where women alike are dominating the industry.
In our latest interview, we sat down with the UK’s youngest in charge, SYM, about breaking boundaries down in the music industry, her catalog, and new material amongst other things. Check out our conversation below.
Walk me through your childhood, what was it like growing up?
My childhood was really fun looking back it. I was always into creative stuff and I always wanted to do music, or just something involving the creative side of the world. Growing up was really good. I just love listening to my favorite artists, R&B artists and hip-hop artists.
Starting from the beginning, how did you get into doing music and what made you start taking it seriously?
So I always into music since I was a kid. I used to write raps and songs at like eleven or twelve. But due to religious reasons, family reasons, I had stopped. But then I got back into at 18. I started taking it seriously around 2018 or ’19.
Obviously coming from an Islamic background is pretty unique itself, were your parents pretty accepting of your choice to pursue music?
It’s not really my family’s main career path they wanted me to take. But my mom knows I’m really passionate about music so she’s not necessarily supportive, but she’s lie “do your thing, I know this is your passion so do your thing.”
With such a diverse range of influences, how would you define your sound?
My influences are really diverse. I love old-school hip hop, then I love R&B, then I love my 2016 SoundCloud kind-of mumble rap shit. I also listen to heavy metal. I love all types of music, just with each song, it’s like a different vibe. With each song I make, it’s influenced by a bunch of influences that I have. So if I make a song this week it’s going to be this type of vibe and next week it’s going to be a 90s type of vibe. I want to be able to have a variety of different sounds on my mixtape because I’m inspired by several different artists.
How does it feel to be at the forefront of the UK’s rap genre alongside many other talented ladies?
I feel like I’m not at the forefront yet. I feel like people still sleep on me but that’s going to be over soon though. It feels really good though because I can tell that my future’s going to be very bright for UK female rap. And it’s only just begun. There are so many of us that are in different sounds, looks, and vision. So I’m excited to show the world my own unique style.
You’ve just released a new video “Hardest” – could you tell us more about the track and the inspiration behind it?
So I was literally just chilling when I made [“Hardest”]. I love the beat, something about the simplicity of the beat. I really love simple beats. I just felt like I was that bitch that day, I was so motivated. I was like let me go in and be braggadocios as hell. That song is very like Megan Thee Stallion and Playboi Carti in one. Yeah, I love that song.
You have a really unique sense of style too. How important is it to you to use fashion as a vehicle for self-expression?
When it comes to fashion, I feel like I haven’t shown the world my real style. I used ot be like an alternative girl when I was like 16, 17. I used to love wearing black, goth boots, and all of that. Now I’m in my pink phase, I love all pink. But I show the world even more of my style. I’m going to wait until 2021 because that’s going to be my year. I feel like everything is going to fully come together then; my vision, my look, my fashion. I’m excited because I have an EP coming out next year as well.
In terms of the future, what can your fans expect to see from you in the forthcoming year?
So next year, I’m going to be going ham. This year was like my development year, helping my self write and learning the basics. ’21 and ’22 is when I want to go off. I want people to know I’m here now. I’m dropping an EP next year and loads of music videos. I’m excited because I feel like it’s something the UK has never seen.
If you enjoyed our chat with SYM, check out our interview with R&B duo Dylan and Dakota.
