Whether it be her hit single “Verbs” or the Insecure-featured track “Sweet Honey,” chances are you’ve heard of Peyton, if not one of her songs. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, her musical talent has already captured the attention of not only global fans, but also some of the biggest names in the industry.
As the granddaughter of Grammy-nominated gospel singer Theola Booker, Peyton spent her time singing in her church gospel at a young age. She continued to broaden her musical knowledge, and at the age of 5, she began learning to play the violin. Music was inseparable in her childhood, thus it was no surprise that Peyton would become one of R&B’s favorites down the line. In 2015, she released her debut EP Roller Coaster, which laid the groundwork for fan-favorite projects such as Peace in the Midst followed by 2019’s Reach Out EP.
Fast forward to now, Peyton has blossomed into a soulful artist with a diverse range of sounds that fills the hearts of fans alike. Her much-awaited debut album, PSA, contains some of her best work to date. Spanned across 12 tracks, the LP paints a portrait of one of the most luminescent voices coming out of Houston. It boasts features from Brice Blanco and Ian McGilber, who serve as phenomenal additions that mesh well with Peyton’s honey-drenched vocals.
We had the opportunity to interview Peyton in regards to her debut album, navigating through 2021, and more! Read below.
Hey Peyton! How has 2021 been treating you so far?
2021 has been very bittersweet but mostly sweet. This year has brought so much change. This is definitely a pivotal moment in my life. I’m excited to watch everything unfold as the year goes on.
“Don’t U Wanna Fly” and “Let It Flow” are some of your first releases since your 2019 Reach Out project. How does this set the tone for your upcoming LP?
PSA is a glimpse into my world and allows you to understand some of the things I love in music. These songs set the tone for the genre-bending experimentation that is heard throughout the album. Not one song sounds alike and I can guarantee no song coming out this year sounds just like it.
What was the development process like for the album? What are some things you learned about yourself as an artist along the way?
I don’t put too much stress on trying to make a specific type of sound or convey a certain message. I just go with the flow of wherever my mind and feelings take me. Usually, I am always creating and like a puzzle, all of the pieces suddenly come together! I’ve learned that I can be bashful at times and that there is no reason to be.
In the cover art for PSA, there’s a lot of familiar references going on in the background. Can you explain the creative vision behind it?
The image represents how there may be a lot going on around me, but I just observe and stay in my own lane, thriving as comfortably as possible.
What are some key points of the album you would like your fans to notice and enjoy?
I want my listeners to understand the layers of my sound. There are so many topics of honesty that are subtly fearless. I want my listeners to feel fearless and cool when they listen or sing along.
Obviously, this will be a follow-up to 2015’s Roller Coaster and I feel like a lot has changed since then. Do you remember what was going on in your life while working on that particular project?
I released Rollercoaster in 2015 when I was 17 years old and re-released it just last year. During that time, I was going through the typical angsty feeling one feels at that age. So a lot of songs are about puppy love and sneak dissing boys who have crossed me. Since then, I’m not as angsty and not as shy as I once was.
It’s also been just over a year since everyone started living the new normal. Do you have any words for fans that are looking forward to meeting you or seeing you perform when the pandemic is over?
I can’t wait to meet all of you and give you a big hug!
If you enjoyed our interview with Peyton, check out our conversation with Zanillya!
