Simi Liadi is an artist from Columbia, Maryland who is currently based in Baltimore. She describes herself as an R&B and ‘alte soul’ artist, with a sound that’s definitely more R&B-tinged. She just released her latest project, ‘Summer Tapes, Vol. 1’ and it showcases a collection of Afro-inspired and summertime songs that are meant for audiences to feel good all around. The 4-track project has a harmonic vibe all the way through and showcases Liadi’s voice in a beautiful way.
“A big part of what makes Afrobeats so enticing is the fact that you can feel the vibe and feeling of the music even without knowing the words, and with this project I wanted to try to capture that same feeling,” Simi Liadi says of the project.
“Afrobeats is a very heavy part of my listening rotation when it comes to the music I enjoy, and being Nigerian is a very huge part of who I am and what my personality is like, so I thought it was only appropriate that that reflects in my music as well,” she continued. “I also wanted to get some good summer tunes out for people to enjoy, especially in times like these where enjoyment is hard to come by.”
Her project speaks volumes for what we can expect moving forward. Liadi’s lyricism, mixed with vocals and pure, raw energy speaks volumes through her music and is sure to turn any listener to a fan.
Keep reading to learn more about Liadi and her project ‘Summer Tapes, Vol. 1’ out now.
What city are you from/ Where are you based now?
I’m from Columbia, Maryland and I’m currently based in Baltimore.
What is your artist name? What is your real name? How did you get your artist name?
My artist name and my real name are the same, Simi Liadi. My full first name is Simisola, but most people call me Simi so I went with that. My name is already pretty unique so when it came time to pick a name for myself I thought it was fitting to use my own name.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
I would consider myself to be an R&B and Alte Soul artist. Alte Soul, for those who aren’t familiar, is a subgenre under Afrobeats that’s a fusion of afro and RnB sounds, popularized in Nigeria. My current catalog is definitely more RnB focused, but I do plan to showcase more of my Alte vibe with my upcoming EP
What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
One of the many reasons that music is something I’m so passionate about is that it is an avenue of creativity where I can combine skill, talent, and experience to make something beautiful and specific to me. Music is an outlet for me, and I love that a medium I use to understand and process my life and emotions can be turned into an art form that not only sounds beautiful, but helps me connect with so many other people.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
My three biggest influences are Brandy, Asá, and SZA. Brandy is quite literally the vocal bible, and her harmonies and vocal production are skills that I admire and hope to achieve one day. Asá was my first introduction into soul music and was my first inspiration to actually start singing. SZA’s lyrical ability to talk about the most specific experiences in the most broad way possible has really helped me to complexify my lyricism and challenge myself to talk about topics in my music in different and more creative ways.
Tell us the name of the project you are currently promoting? What inspired this project?
The project I’m currently promoting is called “Summer Tapes, Vol. 1”. I really wanted to dedicate time and energy into making more Alte and Afro-inspired music, one because my catalog kind of lacks that music and two because I wanted to use this as an opportunity to increase my skill and familiarity with making this type of music, rather than just listening to it. Afrobeats is a very heavy part of my listening rotation when it comes to the music I enjoy, and being Nigerian is a very huge part of who I am and what my personality is like, so I thought it was only appropriate that that reflects in my music as well. I also wanted to get some good summer tunes out for people to enjoy, especially in times like these where enjoyment is hard to come by.
Date that this project dropped or is set to drop?
This EP will be dropping July 22, 2022
What is this project about in your own words?
As I mentioned before, this EP is just a collection of Afro-inspired and summer time songs that are meant to make you feel good. A big part of what makes Afrobeats so enticing is the fact that you can feel the vibe and feeling of the music even without knowing the words, and with this project I wanted to try to capture that same feeling.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? Include some dates if you have them.
I have some shows coming up in August and September that I’m looking forward to! I’ll be keeping people updated on those on my Instagram. After this project I’ll probably just release singles if anything, and definitely going to try and get some music videos out as well.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from this project?
I just hope that my music can remind people of their own love for music, whatever that may mean to them. I really make my music for myself, and sharing it is just a way for other people to utilize and enjoy the art I create. So with that, all I really would want people to do is appreciate my craft!
Where can we follow you on social media? Include links.
Instagram: @similiadi (www.instagram.com/similiadi)
Youtube: Simi Liadi (www.youtube.com/similiadi)
TikTok: @slimjim8932 (https://www.tiktok.com/@slimjim8932 )
Twitter: @similiadi (www.twitter.com/similiadi)
