01Profile
A Sophia Thakur Photo
Sophia Thakur
Poet — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Sophia Thakur and I’m from London Town although I know home to be spread across the hotter side of the equator.
Describe your style in three words?
Elegant, smooth, empowering.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Burna Boy live in Portugal. When I listened to his album in my room, I would pretend to be on the beach dancing freely with my friends. In 2019, on the beach, dancing a bit too freely with my friends I got to live out that daydream.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands or artists in history?
HER and Beyonce. They both introduce the audience to such a level of excellence, from performance to creativity to the songwriting. I think the entire show would be a ‘wow’ moment.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Pentecostal and raving culture. I’ve grown up in the church and that’s shaped how I absorb the world, but I’ve also been re-introduced to some of my favourite people, under a dim light and in the centre of the dance floor. Both are spiritual. Both are freeing.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Maya Angelou to be inspired by her commitment to writing despite the wicked world around her.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Omeara. It was my first headline show in London, and the potency of the love that filled those walls is stained on my heart like a hug. I also got to be an afrobeat artist for a few minutes which was fun.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Latir. He writes such intelligent music. His songs could become poetry collections with ease, and you never know what genre you’ll get with him. Indie, jazz, hip-hop, garage.
Sophia Thakur is an award-winning, best selling author and performance poet. She has shared her captivating, intimate stories in arenas as diverse as the TEDx stage, Glastonbury and BBC Newsnight. Sophia's debut book of poems entitled 'Somebody Give This Heart A Pen' is available now online and from all good book shops.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'The Show Goes On' by Lupe Fiasco (ft John Legend). It was the only tape I had on my phone at the time but it was all I felt I needed.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Wallflower' by Latir. It was hip-hop, God, baggy trousers with one leg up and a church. It was literally me between the ages of 12-17.
One record you would keep forever?
'I Feel Good' by Beres Hammond. It’s where I first met my mum and dad as lovers, and not just parents. When it plays, they hold
each other real close and show us how music can inspire love to happen.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"God of Your promise, you don't speak in vain
No syllable empty or void
For once You have spoken
All nature and science
Follow the sound of Your voice"
It's from a song called 'So Will I' by Hillsong Worship. It's the reminder that I often need, that God is looking out for me, even when I stop looking out for myself. So I should just trust God and the process.
A song you wished you had written?
'Why Don't You' by Cleo Sol. I genuinely stand in my mirror and perform it as if I wrote it. It’s so personal to me that I can’t fully understand how I didn’t.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Say Yeah' by Mnelia. I have a real inability to listen or sing along to this tune at any respectable noise level.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Stay So' by Busy Signal. I don’t know if it’s surprising, but if people knew how MUCH I loved Busy Signal they might be a bit taken back.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Angelina' by Juls. It’s the perfect mellow afrobeat that allows me to move just how I like. Smooth, sexy and without breaking sweat.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Where There's Smoke' by Rum.gold. It’s that "in the Uber, driving over London Bridge, feeling a warm sense of ‘home’" song.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
They’re not new but I’ve just discovered KOKOROKO and I’m a little bit in love/obsessed.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Sophia Thakur and I’m from London Town although I know home to be spread across the hotter side of the equator.
Describe your style in three words?
Elegant, smooth, empowering.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Burna Boy live in Portugal. When I listened to his album in my room, I would pretend to be on the beach dancing freely with my friends. In 2019, on the beach, dancing a bit too freely with my friends I got to live out that daydream.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands or artists in history?
HER and Beyonce. They both introduce the audience to such a level of excellence, from performance to creativity to the songwriting. I think the entire show would be a ‘wow’ moment.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Pentecostal and raving culture. I’ve grown up in the church and that’s shaped how I absorb the world, but I’ve also been re-introduced to some of my favourite people, under a dim light and in the centre of the dance floor. Both are spiritual. Both are freeing.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Maya Angelou to be inspired by her commitment to writing despite the wicked world around her.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Omeara. It was my first headline show in London, and the potency of the love that filled those walls is stained on my heart like a hug. I also got to be an afrobeat artist for a few minutes which was fun.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Latir. He writes such intelligent music. His songs could become poetry collections with ease, and you never know what genre you’ll get with him. Indie, jazz, hip-hop, garage.
Sophia Thakur is an award-winning, best selling author and performance poet. She has shared her captivating, intimate stories in arenas as diverse as the TEDx stage, Glastonbury and BBC Newsnight. Sophia's debut book of poems entitled 'Somebody Give This Heart A Pen' is available now online and from all good book shops.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'The Show Goes On' by Lupe Fiasco (ft John Legend). It was the only tape I had on my phone at the time but it was all I felt I needed.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Wallflower' by Latir. It was hip-hop, God, baggy trousers with one leg up and a church. It was literally me between the ages of 12-17.
One record you would keep forever?
'I Feel Good' by Beres Hammond. It’s where I first met my mum and dad as lovers, and not just parents. When it plays, they hold
each other real close and show us how music can inspire love to happen.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"God of Your promise, you don't speak in vain
No syllable empty or void
For once You have spoken
All nature and science
Follow the sound of Your voice"
It's from a song called 'So Will I' by Hillsong Worship. It's the reminder that I often need, that God is looking out for me, even when I stop looking out for myself. So I should just trust God and the process.
A song you wished you had written?
'Why Don't You' by Cleo Sol. I genuinely stand in my mirror and perform it as if I wrote it. It’s so personal to me that I can’t fully understand how I didn’t.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Say Yeah' by Mnelia. I have a real inability to listen or sing along to this tune at any respectable noise level.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Stay So' by Busy Signal. I don’t know if it’s surprising, but if people knew how MUCH I loved Busy Signal they might be a bit taken back.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Angelina' by Juls. It’s the perfect mellow afrobeat that allows me to move just how I like. Smooth, sexy and without breaking sweat.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Where There's Smoke' by Rum.gold. It’s that "in the Uber, driving over London Bridge, feeling a warm sense of ‘home’" song.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
They’re not new but I’ve just discovered KOKOROKO and I’m a little bit in love/obsessed.
Sophia Thakur - I Wonder ft. Sheena | Sofar London
Sophia Thakur - Your Canvas | London Live Sessions
BET Sophia Thakur - Little Black Girls
MTV International Women’s Day 2019