Konyikeh

Konyikeh’s got the rich, velvet kind of voice that holds you. Born in London and raised in Essex, with Cameroonian and Jamaican heritage, the beguiling new singer-songwriter makes soulful music with striking lyrics – and, it can’t be stressed enough, that voice. You might recognise her distinctive vocals from her evocative moment on-stage at the BRITs in 2022, performing alongside Dave during his astonishing rendition of ‘In The Fire’ – but now, the 23-year-old is getting ready to step into her own light. Preparing to put out her debut EP, Litany, later this year, she’s quick to point out: “It’s been a long time coming; it’s been a journey to get here.” Classically trained in singing, piano and violin, Konyikeh started writing songs as a teenager to hold herself together through a difficult time, dealing with issues of race, displacement, body image, self-worth, family and faith. On Litany, there’s a sense of plaintiveness and liturgy, all while the artist ruminates on her sorrows track by track and, in doing so, carves out a space to transcend them. 

Working with executive producer Charlie Perry to bring to life songs largely written in pen and paper in her school days, these are raw and beautiful tracks about raw and often devastating moments. Each of them teems with a quiet power, imbued with warmth and feeling. “They're like little prayers to myself,” she says. In creating a space where she is openly contemplating her mental health, her hurt and vulnerability, not only is Konyikeh giving herself the grace of letting go, she’s giving listeners a space to heal too from the things that are often considered taboo or unwieldy to talk about. As she keeps growing, Konyikeh’s songs on Litany give us all a chance to pause; and maybe say a little prayer for ourselves too. “I hope it gets you through some tough times,” she says, before taking a breath: “It does get better.”