“Musically, spiritually speaking. There is a certain yearning for the release of energy, pent up from decades or just days past. There’s something deeper compelling us to create, to express, to resist. ”
It all started when…
SOULDEGA: Did music choose you or did you choose music?
FELUKAH: I think music definitely found me as an avenue for expression. Art has always been there for me. It all started as poetry and then later evolved into spoken word, freestyling and then rap. From that point on in, I was able to explore more music. Any strong emotion that passes through my spirit will push me to write; the gravity of the feeling is usually inspiring enough, whatever amalgamation of feelings that may be. Strong emotions like love, pain and injustice will force me to express myself first in dance (either in my room with my headphones blaring or on the roof maybe), before later transcribing the dance/emotion into lyrics and melodies. It’s an open flow between external stimuli and internal transformation. Music is a vital part of that.
SOULDEGA: What was the inspiration behind "Dream 23"?
FELUKAH: “Dream 23” was an amalgamation of experiences felt and processed during early 2020. The inspiration was a long time coming, though. I drew on artists like Lauryn Hill, Mac Miller, and J Cole. Inspiration is a combination of air and earth, elements married between vocalist and producer. The production coming out of Abu Recordings inspired me to bring my best verse forward, and the result was something magical.
SOULDEGA: How was your creative/writing process affected during the pandemic?
FELUKAH: The entire record was written and recorded during the pandemic, and honestly I found it easy to zone in and surrender on the craft. I didn’t lock myself in a space and time as much as I let it flow through me; spending my time halfway between Harlem and Brooklyn, recording and exchanging beats and notes with producers, then polishing it all was a beautiful experience.
SOULDEGA: Can you share your journey thus far as an Egyptian woman in NYC navigating your perspective through Hip Hop and RnB?
FELUKAH: As an artist, notions of collective memory and collective consciousness are fused into my work. Egyptian culture is rich in history; our people demonstrate real resilience. I feel like that resilience carries through to the hip hop scene, and to other artistic scenes as well. Even while out here in NYC, my culture speaks volumes and I try to bring it with me wherever I go. Musically, spiritually speaking. There is a certain yearning for the release of energy, pent up from decades or just days past. There’s something deeper compelling us to create, to express, to resist. Colonialism. Community. I don’t know for sure. The same could be said for brown and black artists in the States, though. Deeper forces are universal and speak to quality artists everywhere.
SOULDEGA: Who are your top three female artists in the music industry and why?
FELUKAH: If I had to choose only three artists I would pick Noname for her dedication to activism and literature, Tierra Whack for her ability to create her own style and delve deep within her Whack world, and of course: Erykah Badu. She is a mentor to me in many ways. These women have collectively and individually inspired culture and contributed to the evolution of music, in my opinion. But beyond music, they’ve asserted themselves in the dialogue of culture. Reclaiming the space rightfully and filling it up with brilliance.
SOULDEGA: If you could take one album to the moon, which one would it be and why? (no mix albums lol)
FELUKAH: I would probably take “When I Get Home” by Solange. I admire the ways in which Solange has weaved in her experiences as a black woman navigating this world while still tapping into other realms. I relate to her distortions and creations of reality through music; when she gets ‘home,’ wherever that may be, the world will know.