Sevyn Streeter Will Probs Write a Song About You
Galore chatted with singer and songwriter Sevyn Streeter about her upcoming EP “Girl Disrupted” and she gave us some mad words of wisdom. Read more to find out!
How long have you been singing?
I’ve been singing forever. Songwriting changed my life and led me to having my solo record deal. I’ve been in a couple of groups before, but branched off and started writing on my own. From that, I’ve landed amazing opportunities to write for and with others as well.
Who have you written for and with?
Chris Brown, Alicia Keys, Ariana Grande, Brandy, Tamar Braxton, and Jessie J. That all kind of lead me into working with Atlantic Records. Since then, I have put out a couple of EPs that I love. They were kind of my way of letting my fans into my head and allowing them to get to know me a little better.
Yes, tell us about your EPs!
The first one was called “Call Me Crazy But”, and there was a song on there called “It Won’t Stop” and that song was at #1 for nine weeks straight, which was really incredible. The second one was called “Should Have Been There Part 1.” My EPs are great but it’s album time now!
When is your album dropping?
It comes out at the top of the year. It’s called “Girl Disrupted,” and I could not be more excited about that. “Girl Disrupted” means a lot for me; this album forced me to grow up a bit. Life, love, and relationships in your 20’s can be a little crazy. I kind of journaled about it through my music. I write about a lot of what I go through, and I feel like for a while it was all, “Oh well, this guy did this to me”, or “This is his fault”, but I got to this point where I was like, “how long are you gonna keep blaming other people for what you’re going through?” [laughs]. I mean guys can be assholes, but I started to look at myself and make changes too.
Did you do music stuff when you were younger too?
Yes! I used to drive my parents crazy with it. My dad would come home from work in his full post office attire and grab one of those big, old camcorders, and film me doing little performances in our living room. I’d put on an outfit and sing along to Mariah Carey, Whitney, Aretha, and people like that, dancing around in my momma’s heels and a Minnie Mouse sweater. I sang in a lot of talent shows, and at school, and churches, and weddings, at the Apollo when I was 10, you know stuff like that. I’ve been singing all my life.
Are your siblings musical as well?
My brother, who’s 25, does music. He’s a producer and he’s super creative. I call him my soul twin. My sister doesn’t do anything musical, but I can say she is the biggest Sevyn Streeter fan [laughs].
Who would you say are your biggest musical influences?
Hm, definitely Janet Jackson. She is who I copied most when I was growing up. Also Mariah and Whitney. I used to do performances in the mall back home, and just do Whitney covers. I also love 90’s R&B and Gospel, Jodeci, 112, Jagged Edge, Brandy, Monica, Kirk Franklin,Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, I could go on and on.
Tell us about what makeup you’re loving right now.
Well first of all, shoutout to my girl Eva Kim who does my makeup, she’s amazing! But product wise, I’ve been loving these Dior lipsticks Eva brought me from Paris. They’re crazy colors, one is this like slate gray and the other is a super deep maroon. Other go-tos for me are the Laura Mercier translucent setting powder and the Kat Von D Lock It Tattoo foundation.
Fashion wise, do you have a specific vibe you like to go for?
Honestly, fashion really depends on my mood. Even when I’m in the studio. Like, if I want to write a sexy song, I’ll wear a skin tight red dress, with some heels, buy a bottle of wine, dim the lights, and really get into the mood. For a more “hood” song I’d rock some sweats or joggers and a hoodie with some J’s, all to get into the zone for the song.
How do you describe your sound?
It’s definitely melodic. My strength really lies in my melodies and harmonies. I try out so many melodies and harmonies before I choose the final sound. I’m from the south, so I love a good heavy bass-line and nice drums — a lot of cadences. Conceptually, I like to sing about things that people can relate to. I sing a lot about love and relationships. I am really in touch with my emotions so I use that as a strength.
If you could do a collab with any artist who would it be?
Whether it be writing a song with them or them on a song with me, definitely Usher and Beyonce. They are both so important to me in my world of music. I think it’d be fun to write with Taylor Swift too, I feel like we pull out of the same bag a lot. I’d just say, “beware to all ex boyfriends” [laughs]. I mean, my Instagram bio is “I’ll probably write a song about you,” and truly I mean it: good or bad, you will forever be immortalized in one of my songs.
What is something you wish you knew when you were younger that you would tell younger girls?
I would probably tell them that time is your best friend and is there to help you grow. Patience is your homie. I would definitely get to know patience really well.
Photography & Interview: Zoe Jackson
Additional Photography: Maddie Cordoba
Stylist: Haley Camille
Hair: Ray D.
MUA: Eva Kim
