Singer-songwriter Lizzie Berchie recently released her sophomore EP, Am I An Adult Yet?, in October. The six-song project explores the complexities of young Black British womanhood, capturing the essence of questioning, searching, longing, and the uncertainty that comes with growing up.
The EP’s sound—rich with neo-soul, jazz, gospel, blues, and classical influences—evokes the styles of artists like Floetry, Tweet, Jill Scott, and Vivian Green. Berchie’s unique blend of genres creates a lush, symphonic listening experience that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. As evident in songs such as “We Found Love” and “Flaws And All,” the songstress wears her heart on her sleeve in a way that resonates with listeners worldwide.
“I want to tell the story of being in my mid-twenties. It’s a strange time in life because I’m definitely no longer a teenager but still don’t feel like I’m an actual adult. How do I know if I’m even doing this adult thing right? Maturity is expected when the number on your age dial keeps increasing, but the two don’t always correlate,” Berchie explains. “Media and society make us yearn to be mature way beyond our years, but there’s beauty in youth and thrill in immaturity.”
She continues, “I’ve realized with time that nothing in this life should be rushed, so the question I now often ask myself is how do I be steady? Steady in mind, in love, in anger, and with others.” In this EP, Berchie takes listeners on a journey through her inner world as she reaches a place of acceptance and peace. Her music paints a vivid picture of the challenges and shared experiences of early adulthood, particularly those at the intersection of being Black and young in today’s world.
We caught up with Lizzie Berchie to find out more about what type of music she was raised on, how that reflects her sophomore EP, life as an adult, and much more. Read on for the full interview.
Let’s take it back to the beginning: what type of music and artists resonated with you growing up?
I was listening to a lot of R&B artists growing up, like Destiny’s Child, Usher, Aaliyah, and Toni Braxton, and when I got older, I discovered Neo-Soul artists like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and D’Angelo.
Although you released your debut single in 2022, do you recall the moment that you wanted to take music seriously?
I think I really wanted to take music seriously when I was in secondary school. I just loved singing so much, and although I was quite academic, nothing else brought me the joy that music did.
Congrats on Am I An Adult Yet?, could you talk us through what the inspiration for that project was? What was going on in your life at the time of writing it?
My latest EP is inspired by the identity crisis that comes in your mid-twenties. That feeling of not feeling mature or responsible enough to call yourself an adult but having others expect adult behavior from you whilst balancing work, social life, friendships, and relationships.
Obviously, the title is an ode to your mid-twenties — what’s been the most transformative experience of adulthood for you so far?
The most transformative experience of my twenties was definitely releasing music for the first time. I had music ready for years but was clinging on to it, so letting go of the music, letting it out to the world, and seeing it do so well has been an incredible experience.
And, for those new to your music, how would you personally describe the sound or emotions you want to bring out of people?
I would describe my music as raw, soulful, and full of love.
What do you look forward to when it comes to performing your songs live?
I can’t wait for people to hear the music live in action for the first time!
Looking ahead, what do you hope to achieve in this next chapter of your career?
I want to grow even more as an artist across the world and tap into audiences in places where I never thought my music would reach. I also want to release another project that is a step up from everything I’ve done so far.
