UK singer-songwriter and producer Kamille is preparing to debut her self-produced mini-album, K1. Slated for a Sept. 8 release, the album marks a significant step for the musician as she embraces her role as an independent artist. Already, the LP’s latest releases, “Muscle Memory” and “Options” featuring Bellah and Tamera, have gained attention. However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg in what promises to be an inspiring new chapter for this multifaceted artist.
Released today, “Time to Kill” serves as the album’s third single. More than just another pop banger, the song explores the connection with a special someone, painting a picture of intimacy and affection. Kamille herself explains, “I love that feeling when you just want to spend all your time with the one you love. When time feels like it stands still. This song is all about embracing that moment.” It’s a sentiment that resonates and a theme that makes the track as relatable as it is catchy.
Yet, Kamille isn’t just about crafting appealing melodies. She’s also a purveyor of a new, revived sense of nostalgia. With “Time to Kill,” the artist dips into the funk of the 1980s, infusing a vintage disco beat with a modern pop melody. It’s a delightful fusion that breathes new life into the classic, delivering a sound that’s both fresh and familiar.
Below, we spoke to Kamille about working on her album, becoming a mother, connecting with her fans, and we also got to learn about her unusual beauty secret. Keep scrolling to read our conversation.
Hey Kamille! How is this year treating you so far?
It’s a lot. I still kind of don’t know how I’m managing to spin all these plates, but I’m loving every moment. It’s just things that are making me happy. I’m making an album, or I’ve made and produced this album, and I just had a baby. They’re both just amazing things that I’ve made, and I couldn’t be happier right now, honestly.
Let’s talk about “Options” with Tamera and Bellah. What inspired the record, and why did you choose these two talented women to feature on it?
Well, I started making the beat, and then I was just singing something, not knowing what it was. I had no idea what it even meant to me. Then I realized I hadn’t heard a song in a while where you’re telling other women, “Listen, you need to make sure that you’re a priority. The guy in your life needs to know that you’ve got options, and he’s not the only one.”
I’ve always loved songs like Kandi’s “Don’t Think I’m Not.” Songs like that inspire me as a woman to remember who I am. So I felt like I needed two R&B queens on the song with me for a female empowerment anthem. I slid into Bella and Tamera’s DMs, and before I knew it, they were at the studio. We finished the song in, what, half an hour? So fast.
Your upcoming album arrives at quite an interesting point in your career. You released Tank is On Empty in 2018, and since then, you’ve garnered over 35 platinum records. Why now?
I felt like it had to be now, because if it wasn’t now, when do you know what I mean? I’ve been waiting so long. I just want to be able to express myself, and so much has happened in my life. I was adamant that I was putting out this project this year, even though I remember being pregnant and making this album.
My management asked, “Are you actually sure?” I was like, “Yes, I’m doing it.” I was just so ambitious, and I have my baby to thank for that. He definitely gave me a lot of ambition and hunger. Yeah, man, I’m just in a really good place, so it feels right to do it now.
I read that you worked on this album during your pregnancy, which is pretty incredible. Can you tell me a bit more about that?
It’s very interesting. I actually just filmed a TikTok on it. It’s funny because when you’re recording with a baby in the room, you have to literally pause every two seconds. So it’s really funny, but there are also moments where the baby will just do something, and it will sound like “Are You That Somebody?” That song that Timbaland sampled. I remember being in the studio with Timbaland, and he even said to me, “You’ll get crazy noises from kids. It will be really interesting stuff on the beat.” And I’d be like, “Oh my god.” So it’s been interesting, but it’s been really fun at the same time.
Motherhood is such a beautiful experience as well. Although it’s still very early, how has having a son changed your perspective on life?
100,000,000%. I’ve now realized that nothing is that deep. Nothing matters; it’s really not that serious. There should be no pressure; all this pressure I was putting on myself, it’s time to let go. I literally just want to have fun with the time that I do have to myself. That needs to be fun.
So I’m not going to spend it worrying about, “Oh my gosh, how’s this doing? How’s this song performing?” All of that stuff is gone. Now I’m just like, “Y’all, I love this song. I’m putting it out next week. I’m dropping a new song next week that I finished making last week.” I mean, I’m fine. So my outlook on music has changed for sure.
With “Options” and “Muscle Memory” being the first taste that fans receive ahead of the LP, what in particular made these records the perfect lead single? How do they fit into the narrative that you want to put out on your full-length project?
I feel like they were the ones that stood out to me the most as, I guess, pillars of the album. I think the album kind of stands up on those songs. And there’s a couple more coming that are really, really strong like that as well. I think the whole album is just a kind of moment of me exploring the music that I grew up on.
And those two songs, I couldn’t get any better. You know, I think it’s just been an incredible moment for me to express myself through songs that I remember when I was growing up. And yeah, just a nod to the music that I love and that my parents love.
Definitely, I think for me, the main thing is that I produced it as a woman. I’m so sorry, but the fact that there are probably less than 3% female producers makes me so sad. And I think the fact that I’ve done this, and I’ve proven to myself that number one, I could do it. And number two, it actually wasn’t that hard. I think it looks and feels a lot harder than it is getting into production as a woman.
So I wanted to inspire other women. I love that when people will go on Spotify and look in the credits and just see my name on the producer. That is such a flex to me. And I mean, that’s what I want to show with this album, that I was empowered. This is an album of empowerment as a woman, and yeah, I definitely want other women to feel that for sure.
Many celebrities tend to be a bit more kept quiet when it comes to social media, but you spend a lot of time interacting with your fans and so forth. Why is that so important to you?
I say good morning every time, every day, even when no one responds. I don’t know why. I just feel like I haven’t started my day until I do it. But yeah, I just love connecting with my fans. It’s so important to me. I have a Telegram account; we talk every day. They’re like my besties, and I probably talk to them more than I talk to my friends. Because they’re just so cute, and they probably go in on me.
They ask me all the time, “Where’s our merch? Where’s our merch?” I’m really, really obsessed with them, and they’re honest with me as well. So I love that I can always send them snippets of stuff, and they’ll be like, “We like this one more,” or “We like this one,” whatever. So it’s really cool.
Out of curiosity, what are your beauty secrets? Your skin is flawless!
You’re so sweet to say that. But I’m telling you, it’s sweat. A few people have said this to me. I am just a sweaty person. Since I’ve had a baby, I’m always sweating. It’s so hot all the time. It’s just an effect that you have as a mom; you’re just always sweating. I didn’t know this was a thing. So a lot of people are like, “Oh my gosh, your skin!” I’m like, no, it’s not that. I’m just very sweaty right now. I can’t claim something else; it’s the baby.
I know that style is also another major aspect of your visual identity as an artist. Can you tell us a bit about what you’re wearing these days?
My clothes have become looser and baggier every year. I will say I buy mainly menswear, to be honest with you. My man takes my clothes. He goes in my wardrobe and takes them. Like all my Maharishi, I come back, and I can’t find them anymore.
I’m in a lot of Diesel; I wear Diesel so much. It’s just comfy, cute, and very structured. Then I’m in a lot of like Nike, and just really chill stuff. I love a lot of chunky jewelry and making it really clunky around my neck. And yeah, just very oversized. Everything’s oversized, like my personality.
Pivoting back to music, can you sort of describe the emotions running through your body as you prepare to release this project? How do you hope fans will react?
I feel very pensive, very nervous, and very excited at the same time. But I mean, the response so far has given me that confidence. But I definitely am nervous because I haven’t played it to anyone yet properly. So there’s sometimes a lot of pressure when you’re a writer who’s had success already as well. I think people are looking at what you’re going to do or whatever. And that can sometimes make me feel nervous. But you know what, I don’t care. I’m just going to put out music I love and do what I do.
