01Profile
A BINA. Photo
BINA.
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
My name is BINA. and I’m from South London.
Describe your style in three words?
Quirky, fluid, rebellious.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Kendrick Lamar at Wembley, 2018. I remember screaming his song 'GOD' at the top of my lungs, in part because the song is incredible, but also because I was gassed to share that moment with my best friend. I was acting up! James Blake opened for him as well, he’s amazing. I miss concerts, man.
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Ahh, there are so many I would choose! But the top two would have to be Erykah Badu and Moonchild. Erykah Badu is a massive inspiration to me and a large reason why I love the music I love. Moonchild is a band I’ve been obsessed with for the past four years! I love their production and Amber’s vocals are insane - so gentle and delicate, yet so present. Being on the same stage as them would be an honour!
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’m definitely influenced by hip-hop culture and, to some extent, skater culture. The main influence of skateboarding culture on me is the fashion. I love the way skater girls and skater guys look so good without trying too hard! Baggy t-shirts and trousers, and cool trainers - it all inspires my dress sense because day-to-day, I like to be cosy, but also look cute. Hip-hop influences me because all of the music I am inspired by is infused by hip-hop, even if it isn’t as direct as rap music. For me, as a black woman, hip-hip and neo-soul (which is heavily influenced by jazz as well as hip-hop) are very large parts of my upbringing and my sense of identity and belonging comes from being able to relate to people over our love for that type of music.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I would love to spend an hour with Nina Simone. She’s such an enigma and I feel like the conversation would be mad interesting. Plus, as a musician, she’s f*cking incredible. That 'I Put A Spell On You' song is actually a summary of me in matters of that heart, lol. I’m a typical Scorpio in that sense.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
It would have to be Wilton’s Music Hall in North London. When I performed there, it was empty (because we were shooting with Boiler Room for the live stream), but something about the space - maybe how big and grand looking it was- made me feel like I could take up all the space I wanted to, and I think that energy came through when I was performing.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Lex Amor! I don’t think I’ve heard a realer rapper in the UK than her, to be honest. I think her perspective and her voice is very necessary in this music scene.
South London songstress BINA. fuses elements of alternative R&B, neo-soul and jazz. Her second EP 'This Is Not A Film' will be released in March 2021. Listen, purchase or stream it via backl.ink/143747895.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Probably 'On & On' by Erykah Badu. That whole album ('Baduizm') was the soundtrack to my childhood.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Blossom Dearie' by Ravyn Lenae. I didn’t have a smartphone of my own until I was like 16, so before then, I used to go to the library and use the computers. I was watching a makeup tutorial and at the end the girl (can’t remember her name lool) said she was really into this Ravyn Lenae song called 'Blossom Dearie', which I went to check out. I liked what I heard and made it a habit to go on YouTube and SoundCloud dives for new music - that’s how I discovered SZA, Tyler, The Creator and Oshun.
One record you would keep forever?
'Lianne La Havas' by 'Lianne La Havas'. My foster mum bought the vinyl for me for my birthday, and not only is the album one of the most beautiful albums I listened to in 2020, the vinyl is so pretty too! Also, listening to Lianne La Havas throughout 2020 really fuelled my desire to get good at guitar.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I’m gonna look for my body yeah, I’ll be back like real soon”
From 'Weary' by Solange. The song and that lyric in particular perfectly capture that feeling of having lost your sense of self - you might have lost it in your own self-discovery, or in a relationship, or a mental health struggle - and that line from 'Weary' is like a mantra to soothe yourself that you won’t feel lost forever.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'ORANGE SODA' by Baby Keem. Every time I hear “When you come see the crib, you better die, hoe” I shout that line because it’s so cocky in the best way possible!
A song you wished you had written?
'Good Goodbye' by Lianne La Havas.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Get Away' by The Internet. I need not say anymore.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Kerosene' by Yves Tumor.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Hello' by Erykah Badu and Andre 3000. The perfect smooth sleeper whether you’re on your way home from a good party or you’ve been up all night doing your box braids.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Ugly World' by Jesse James Solomon.
'Black on Black' by KAM-BU.
'Ask You' by Emil (ft. Ayeisha Raquel).
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
My name is BINA. and I’m from South London.
Describe your style in three words?
Quirky, fluid, rebellious.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Kendrick Lamar at Wembley, 2018. I remember screaming his song 'GOD' at the top of my lungs, in part because the song is incredible, but also because I was gassed to share that moment with my best friend. I was acting up! James Blake opened for him as well, he’s amazing. I miss concerts, man.
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Ahh, there are so many I would choose! But the top two would have to be Erykah Badu and Moonchild. Erykah Badu is a massive inspiration to me and a large reason why I love the music I love. Moonchild is a band I’ve been obsessed with for the past four years! I love their production and Amber’s vocals are insane - so gentle and delicate, yet so present. Being on the same stage as them would be an honour!
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’m definitely influenced by hip-hop culture and, to some extent, skater culture. The main influence of skateboarding culture on me is the fashion. I love the way skater girls and skater guys look so good without trying too hard! Baggy t-shirts and trousers, and cool trainers - it all inspires my dress sense because day-to-day, I like to be cosy, but also look cute. Hip-hop influences me because all of the music I am inspired by is infused by hip-hop, even if it isn’t as direct as rap music. For me, as a black woman, hip-hip and neo-soul (which is heavily influenced by jazz as well as hip-hop) are very large parts of my upbringing and my sense of identity and belonging comes from being able to relate to people over our love for that type of music.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I would love to spend an hour with Nina Simone. She’s such an enigma and I feel like the conversation would be mad interesting. Plus, as a musician, she’s f*cking incredible. That 'I Put A Spell On You' song is actually a summary of me in matters of that heart, lol. I’m a typical Scorpio in that sense.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
It would have to be Wilton’s Music Hall in North London. When I performed there, it was empty (because we were shooting with Boiler Room for the live stream), but something about the space - maybe how big and grand looking it was- made me feel like I could take up all the space I wanted to, and I think that energy came through when I was performing.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Lex Amor! I don’t think I’ve heard a realer rapper in the UK than her, to be honest. I think her perspective and her voice is very necessary in this music scene.
South London songstress BINA. fuses elements of alternative R&B, neo-soul and jazz. Her second EP 'This Is Not A Film' will be released in March 2021. Listen, purchase or stream it via backl.ink/143747895.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Probably 'On & On' by Erykah Badu. That whole album ('Baduizm') was the soundtrack to my childhood.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Blossom Dearie' by Ravyn Lenae. I didn’t have a smartphone of my own until I was like 16, so before then, I used to go to the library and use the computers. I was watching a makeup tutorial and at the end the girl (can’t remember her name lool) said she was really into this Ravyn Lenae song called 'Blossom Dearie', which I went to check out. I liked what I heard and made it a habit to go on YouTube and SoundCloud dives for new music - that’s how I discovered SZA, Tyler, The Creator and Oshun.
One record you would keep forever?
'Lianne La Havas' by 'Lianne La Havas'. My foster mum bought the vinyl for me for my birthday, and not only is the album one of the most beautiful albums I listened to in 2020, the vinyl is so pretty too! Also, listening to Lianne La Havas throughout 2020 really fuelled my desire to get good at guitar.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I’m gonna look for my body yeah, I’ll be back like real soon”
From 'Weary' by Solange. The song and that lyric in particular perfectly capture that feeling of having lost your sense of self - you might have lost it in your own self-discovery, or in a relationship, or a mental health struggle - and that line from 'Weary' is like a mantra to soothe yourself that you won’t feel lost forever.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'ORANGE SODA' by Baby Keem. Every time I hear “When you come see the crib, you better die, hoe” I shout that line because it’s so cocky in the best way possible!
A song you wished you had written?
'Good Goodbye' by Lianne La Havas.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Get Away' by The Internet. I need not say anymore.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Kerosene' by Yves Tumor.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Hello' by Erykah Badu and Andre 3000. The perfect smooth sleeper whether you’re on your way home from a good party or you’ve been up all night doing your box braids.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Ugly World' by Jesse James Solomon.
'Black on Black' by KAM-BU.
'Ask You' by Emil (ft. Ayeisha Raquel).