Rahh

Musician — Manchester

01Profile

A Rahh Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Rahh, Manchester, UK.

Describe your style in three words?
Crazy, Sexy, Cool.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Glastonbury 2008, Pyramid Stage. Jay-Z headlined and it was so controversial that the tickets sales were so low I was able to walk into HMV and buy a physical ticket. Now it sells out in minutes. Saturday night Amy Winehouse opened for him, she killed it and then was dragged off stage after punching a member of the audience. Then Jay-Z began with a montage of the headlines and interviews about the social unrest over his appearance as the first hip-hop artist to ever headline. The VT ended with Noel Gallagher saying "Jay-Z at Glastonbury, not on my watch" and then Jay-Z made his entrance wearing a parka and a guitar and sung Wonderwall. It was my favourite live moment ever. The crowd were insane. I was so close to the stage surrounded by strangers as I’d lost my mates. Loved every minute and It was the first time I’d felt like I was actually witnessing one of those historical musical moments that make history.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Michael Jackson - History era. Production, energy, fans. It must have been mind-blowing.
Rolling Stone's - Satisfaction era. Just to be part of the sheer backstage rock'n'roll carnage.

Which Subcultures have influenced you?
The UK garage scene influenced me growing up, the powerhouse vocals and soulful tones that featured, the incessant beats that fused genres that got everyone dancing and hip-hop-inspired lyrics and flow. It was a big deal.

I guess fashion hipster. I studied fashion and adore people expressing their individual creativity through their appearance. I live in East London and I’m inspired by people’s random versions of hipster every day here. They’re original and they’re expressive, and I love it. Where else can I walk outside in my pyjamas and fake fur and not stand out?

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
It may be an obvious choice but I can’t beat it. It has to be Nelson Mandela. I’m just so humbled and awestricken by his forgiveness I’d love to learn from him and give him a cuddle.

Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Manchester Academy, because it’s intimate and nostalgic for me. I saw Lauryn Hill, I saw Plan B and many more. The atmosphere is electric there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
The Funk Brothers who we can thank for helping to create the untouchable sound and feel of Motown music. They were unsung as the records were released under the name of the artist, and they didn’t receive any recognition until recent years. Motown inspired RnB, hip-hop, soul, funk… almost everything. They’re the true heroes.


Manchester singer, Rahh, combines a powerful, emotive and raw soulful voice with touches of electronica, jazz and sixties soul to create a truly unique sound. Recently she has worked with Ken Caillat (the Grammy award-winning producer of Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours") and Dave Stewart (Eurythmics). 2019 has seen her perform at the Montreux Jazz Fest alongside the like of Nile Rodgers, and release songs such as 'Into The Dawn', 'Forget The Rules' and 'Home'.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Toxic' - Britney Spears
I remember blasting this over and over on my computer in the hallway when my mum and dad were out and dancing around the house. It just didn’t get old.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Be Faithful' - Fatman Scoop, Crooklyn Clan
It played every week without fail in my local club 53degrees, and it got everyone on the dance floor singing every word!

One record you would keep forever?
Ahhh this is impossible! But Bob Marley - 'Is This Love' - I don’t think it gets old.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“‘Kathy I’m lost’ I said though I know she was sleeping, I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why"
From 'America' - Simon and Garfunkel.

I think this is my favourite lyric of all time, to be honest. I love how he says his actual wife’s name, I love how the whole song is cheerful and about adventure other than this one line of completely honest and I love how heart-breaking it is that it’s fallen on deaf ears. It’s just lyrical genius to me, and totally blows me away and makes me emotional every time I hear it.

A song you wished you had written?
'Retrograde' - James Blake
It’s one of my favourite songs ever. So beautiful. So musical. Just… yes.

Best song to turn up loud?
'212' - Azealia Banks
The timing has gotta be right but when this gets dropped at a house party it shuts it down!

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
The Streets - 'Fit But You Know It' - MC version feat. Kano, Donae'o, Lady Sovereign and Tinchy Stryder.

The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Of all time - 'Got To Give It Up' - Marvin Gaye. It’s the song which had the beat controversially recreated/sampled for Blurred Lines. The original has a vibe that is impossible to ignore. It’s a dance-floor guarantee for me. It’ll turn any bad night around. Currently - 'Strike a Pose' (feat Aitch) - Young T and Bugsey. My summer anthem.

Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Purple Rain' - Prince.

Any new bands you are into at the moment?
MiC LOWRY - my cousin is in the band and they’re insane. They’re new-wave Boyz II Men. I like Odunsi too and Love Sick..their song 'Fever' is insane.
Odunsi (The Engine) - 'Hectic'
Love Sick - 'Fever' 

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Rahh, Manchester, UK.

Describe your style in three words?
Crazy, Sexy, Cool.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Glastonbury 2008, Pyramid Stage. Jay-Z headlined and it was so controversial that the tickets sales were so low I was able to walk into HMV and buy a physical ticket. Now it sells out in minutes. Saturday night Amy Winehouse opened for him, she killed it and then was dragged off stage after punching a member of the audience. Then Jay-Z began with a montage of the headlines and interviews about the social unrest over his appearance as the first hip-hop artist to ever headline. The VT ended with Noel Gallagher saying "Jay-Z at Glastonbury, not on my watch" and then Jay-Z made his entrance wearing a parka and a guitar and sung Wonderwall. It was my favourite live moment ever. The crowd were insane. I was so close to the stage surrounded by strangers as I’d lost my mates. Loved every minute and It was the first time I’d felt like I was actually witnessing one of those historical musical moments that make history.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Michael Jackson - History era. Production, energy, fans. It must have been mind-blowing.
Rolling Stone's - Satisfaction era. Just to be part of the sheer backstage rock'n'roll carnage.

Which Subcultures have influenced you?
The UK garage scene influenced me growing up, the powerhouse vocals and soulful tones that featured, the incessant beats that fused genres that got everyone dancing and hip-hop-inspired lyrics and flow. It was a big deal.

I guess fashion hipster. I studied fashion and adore people expressing their individual creativity through their appearance. I live in East London and I’m inspired by people’s random versions of hipster every day here. They’re original and they’re expressive, and I love it. Where else can I walk outside in my pyjamas and fake fur and not stand out?

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
It may be an obvious choice but I can’t beat it. It has to be Nelson Mandela. I’m just so humbled and awestricken by his forgiveness I’d love to learn from him and give him a cuddle.

Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Manchester Academy, because it’s intimate and nostalgic for me. I saw Lauryn Hill, I saw Plan B and many more. The atmosphere is electric there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
The Funk Brothers who we can thank for helping to create the untouchable sound and feel of Motown music. They were unsung as the records were released under the name of the artist, and they didn’t receive any recognition until recent years. Motown inspired RnB, hip-hop, soul, funk… almost everything. They’re the true heroes.


Manchester singer, Rahh, combines a powerful, emotive and raw soulful voice with touches of electronica, jazz and sixties soul to create a truly unique sound. Recently she has worked with Ken Caillat (the Grammy award-winning producer of Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours") and Dave Stewart (Eurythmics). 2019 has seen her perform at the Montreux Jazz Fest alongside the like of Nile Rodgers, and release songs such as 'Into The Dawn', 'Forget The Rules' and 'Home'.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Toxic' - Britney Spears
I remember blasting this over and over on my computer in the hallway when my mum and dad were out and dancing around the house. It just didn’t get old.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Be Faithful' - Fatman Scoop, Crooklyn Clan
It played every week without fail in my local club 53degrees, and it got everyone on the dance floor singing every word!

One record you would keep forever?
Ahhh this is impossible! But Bob Marley - 'Is This Love' - I don’t think it gets old.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“‘Kathy I’m lost’ I said though I know she was sleeping, I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why"
From 'America' - Simon and Garfunkel.

I think this is my favourite lyric of all time, to be honest. I love how he says his actual wife’s name, I love how the whole song is cheerful and about adventure other than this one line of completely honest and I love how heart-breaking it is that it’s fallen on deaf ears. It’s just lyrical genius to me, and totally blows me away and makes me emotional every time I hear it.

A song you wished you had written?
'Retrograde' - James Blake
It’s one of my favourite songs ever. So beautiful. So musical. Just… yes.

Best song to turn up loud?
'212' - Azealia Banks
The timing has gotta be right but when this gets dropped at a house party it shuts it down!

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
The Streets - 'Fit But You Know It' - MC version feat. Kano, Donae'o, Lady Sovereign and Tinchy Stryder.

The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Of all time - 'Got To Give It Up' - Marvin Gaye. It’s the song which had the beat controversially recreated/sampled for Blurred Lines. The original has a vibe that is impossible to ignore. It’s a dance-floor guarantee for me. It’ll turn any bad night around. Currently - 'Strike a Pose' (feat Aitch) - Young T and Bugsey. My summer anthem.

Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Purple Rain' - Prince.

Any new bands you are into at the moment?
MiC LOWRY - my cousin is in the band and they’re insane. They’re new-wave Boyz II Men. I like Odunsi too and Love Sick..their song 'Fever' is insane.
Odunsi (The Engine) - 'Hectic'
Love Sick - 'Fever' 

 

05Videos

Rahh - 'Home'

Rahh - 'Forget the Rules'