Following the release of her new sophomore EP, The Art & The Muse, Afrobeats City caught up with talented dancer, singer & songwriter Trayc Selasi to find out about her journey from a dancer to a musician, the creative process behind The Art & The Muse, the impact her Ghanaian roots has on her music, and more.
You started your career on the Afrobeats scene as a dancer before becoming a musician - how would you describe your journey?
My career began in 2012, during my dance cameo in Fuse ODG’s “Antenna” video, and again for “Dangerous Love” in 2014 with my dance partner Move with KB, which gained over 22 million+ views on YouTube. It has been a beautiful journey; all the ups and downs have made me who I am today. I started as a dancer but making music was always my ultimate goal. I toured and performed on big stages for Fuse ODG with my dance partner at the time and it was so amazing as I learnt so much on the job. I was quite observant with everything music around me which kept my interest going. I learnt how to record and Engineer in the studio, engineering for some great artists also Fuse ODG himself at times. Everyday there was something new to learn although it was not always easy, it was all worth it. I now have my own home studio set up where I have been able to record music of my own and finishing my E.P.
You recently released your single “Somebody”, what was your influence behind the single?
“Somebody” was created in Ghana during my trip back home in Ghana. It was produced by the amazing Abochi. We created this beautiful song together using concepts I had, bouncing ideas and melodies back and forth. The song is about a dilemma in the mind of a woman and the dilemma is being in love with “Somebody” but struggling to express that feeling as she goes through the pressure internally. I believe a lot of women out there can relate and may have somewhat been in that same “situation-ship”. The concept stems from my own experience with love and struggling to express that. There are women like myself who tend to hide feelings and emotions to avoid being hurt, but there comes a point where enough is enough and we have to start speaking out and expressing our love to that special “Somebody” but also being okay accepting him not having the same feelings for you knowing that ’Somebody’ is out there for you. Do not give up on love.
Congratulations on the release of your sophomore EP, “The Art and The Muse” - can you tell me about the creative process behind the EP and what we can expect from it?
The Art & The Muse is OUT NOW! whooppp and I’m super excited for this release. It has been a long time coming as I’ve been working on this project throughout this year exotically during the lockdown. If you haven’t heard it yet then expect to hear good timeless music that would captivate your hearts and minds. it’s a spiritual sometin’ haha. Honestly, I enjoyed creating this project especially because it’s my first ever project to come out of Trayc Selasi. Most of the songs we created during the lockdown period especially as I had some time to get in my creative bag. 2 of the songs were created during my trip in Ghana, “Somebody” and “Militant” whilst the others were created in my London home with my home studio setup. My creative process is a mashup of different things that I piece together to create my version of art which stems from my past experiences I’ve been through as well as my friends and family around me. Sometimes it can just be words I hear, a feeling or a current emotion. When I create, I think about so many different things based on the current topic and write down everything. Most times I go off from my feelings and allow melodies, words, emotions to naturally flow out of me through songs or dance. I have my moments where I can get stuck and just lay down or be still but the one thing I do a lot is pray and meditate especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed. I usually like to take my time to create just so I know I have pieced it all. The name of the EP is a representation of both me 'The Art' and my influences 'The Muse'.
How much of an impact does your Ghanaian roots have when creating music?
My Ghanaian roots have a massive impact and a few reasons for that is firstly, I was born there and lived a part of my childhood in Accra before leaving to come to the UK at 8 yrs. My family keeps me in check about my roots especially my mother as she constantly reminds me by speaking my language to me and always encouraging me to always be myself and be proud of who I am and where I'm from at all times. I’m so grateful for them, if not I don't know what I would be right now. I love my culture, my country and the whole African continent because it’s so beautiful and rich with amazingness. it has had and continues to have a huge impact on my lifestyle, my hair, the clothes and jewellery I wear as well as my music. My dad used to be a family DJ at most family functions and he would play some of the legends such as Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Agelique Kudjo Daddy Umma etc and i grew up listening to these African legends who inspire a lot of my music creating as you hear the sweet sounds of highlife infused in some of my songs on my EP The Art & The Muse.
How do you think the Afrobeats scene has changed since you first started out?
The Afrobeats scene has changed so much over the last 5-10 years and I’m so proud now more than ever to be a part of this culture. African music is now growing into new heights that we’ve never been before and I believe it’s only going to get better and higher from here and there is no going back as we are already exposed to many different experiences and sub-genres
2020 has been an unexpected year, how was lockdown for you and what impact did it have on your music plans for the year?
2020 has definitely been unexpected but I believe it’s been both a blessing and a curse at the same time. I prefer to keep my focus on the blessings that have come out of it which is the fact that I was able to finish my EP and have more time to connect with my supporters all around the world. I am truly grateful for everything that has happened so far and I believe there are going to be greater things that are coming my way. I won’t lie, in the beginning of lockdown, it was a bit of a struggle trying to get used to being home and working as I was used to a set routine and trying to figure out a new home routine was a little crazy but my music is what kept me going which made me even more grateful for my home studio setup. We thank God.
The music industry is very male orientated, have you faced any struggles as a female artist and how did you overcome them?
Yes this industry is very male dominated but we all know that women run this world. I did face some struggles as a woman from the start of my career in this industry as a dancer well before transitioning into music. One being the fact that you’re seen as a subject and even my skin colour didn’t always help as I will sometimes be pushed to the back but how I overcame that was to keep myself with Fuse ODG team who were very respectful to me as not just a woman but a black African woman which allowed me to feel safe. I worked very hard to build a lot of my relationships in the industry in a respectful way making sure that everyone sees and treats me with respect as I treat everyone both men and women with respect.
What is the best advice you have been given?
The best advice I received was to go fishing. I know it may sound weird or funny but what I understood from that was to go for it, throw that hook in the water and never hold back because eventually I will catch a big fish and get my big break and in my case a second big break as the first big one was from the “Antenna” Dance video. Another great advice I have received and continue to receive from my amazing team, Coelle LDN is to stay patient, pray and grind hard because the time will come. As we all know this journey is not an easy one but it is one that I must enjoy, as it will be all worth it in the end.
What is next for Trayc Selasi?
Trayc Selasi is taking on new heights and flights. Now that my first EP The Art & The Muse is out, I’ll be working on some visuals for this project and get some shows and performances going hopefully when everything opens up again and lockdown has been lifted. I will also be going back to Ghana very soon to engage with my supporters there. I want to link up with amazing producers and songwriters and start working on my next project. So many things I want to do right now but all in due time.
Just for fun, fill in the blanks….
Without music, I would be… A rich housewife
My current favourite song is… Somebody by myself
My dream artist(s) to collaborate with is… Beyonce
My favourite Ghanaian dish is… Red Red (African stewed black-eyed peas and plantain)
Support Afrobeats because… I love it, it’s my culture, it’s in my bloodline
Download/Stream - Trayc Selasi - The Art & The Muse EP
Follow @Traycselasi on Instagram | Twitter
This interview was conducted by Shade A / Afrobeats City doesn’t own the rights to the image used.
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"Woman" is a strong and emotional song, coming from the place of passion of appreciating womanhood.
Listen, Share and Enjoy “Woman”
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Listen, Download, Share and Enjoy “Surrender”
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Leading the UK movement for Afro-Trap, Afrotrap UK are re-defining the landscape of the genre by providing a splash of English sauce to the mix.
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