Interview: Philly Based RnB Artist Ashley Syd Talks About Her New Song "2003"
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“When it comes to bringing something different to the RnB genre...All I can say is that I bring myself to the table, my personal lived experiences, thoughts and desires.”
We're huge fans of your new single "2003"; what inspired you to write the song and who produced it?
Thank you so much! It’s actually a funny story. I was inspired to write this from a soundscape assignment in my media class this past semester. The assignment was to recreate a place only using sound, and since my family would always go to Wildwood, NJ when I was younger, I decided to create a beach soundscape.
Once in class we had to share our project with a partner and the person I shared it with said it reminded her of her home in the Dominican Republic. This lit a fire under me as I was happily surprised my simple soundscape could transport her to an entirely different place. After class, I decided to write a song about the beach, Wildwood specifically.
As I began writing I realized how much I missed this beautiful, simple time with my family. This impulse turned into the “2003” we have today. Jodellplaymaker was the genius producer behind this track.
Can we expect a music video for “2003” to follow?
Yes you can! The music video for “2003” is currently on my YouTube channel! Enjoy!
If you could select any artist to appear on a remix to "2003", who would you pick and why?
This is a great question, and honestly a hard decision. I would love to have a female RnB artist feature. I’d have to choose between H.E.R, Kehlani, or Jessie Reyez.
I feel that these artists would bring an amazing vibe to “2003” and bring the song to a whole nother level.
You've mentioned Luther Vandross, Rihanna and Alicia Keys as your musical influences; what about them speaks to you artistically and what different are you bringing to the RnB genre?
What speaks to me most about these amazing artists, is the way that they each have their own unique voice and style of singing. When it comes to Luther Vandross and Alicia Keys specifically, I love that they don’t shy away from their feelings and are truly vulnerable, they are great storytellers.
When it comes to bringing something different to the RnB genre, I acknowledge that so much has been done before by a multitude of amazing artists. All I can say is that I bring myself to the table, my personal lived experiences, thoughts and desires.
I believe that there is nothing more unique than an individual. So in terms of “new” and “different” I offer myself to RnB because just like no two people are alike, the songs I have written and the songs I will write in the future can only be delivered by me, as nobody else can word it exactly like I would.
When did you realize that you had a voice for singing, and that you should take your talent seriously?
I started singing in the church around the age of four. From then I realized how much I loved it and that I wanted to pursue a singing career as I got older. I never had a doubt in my mind, even at that young age, that this is what I would be doing.
With "2003" now released, what can we expect next from you musically?
Now that “2003” is released, more singles can be expected from me in the future. As I grow my discography and continue to discover more about myself and my particular sound, I hope that others will join my journey and relate to my feelings.