With a spot at this year’s Radio 1 Stage at Reading Festival on 25th August, Khazali is undoubtedly a rising star in the music world. With the recent drop of his single Magic, and his upcoming EP Born For This due to be released next month, Khazali joined us for a brief interview.
You recently dropped your song Magic. How did the idea for the song come about?
I was in the studio with Joe Brown for the first time and we wanted to write about a feeling. I was feeling quite hopeful at the time, and we kind of stumbled across the idea of magic, and how believing in it can help going through weird times a little easier. It became a metaphor for leaving a relationship to choose yourself, which we can all relate to.
Did you find you incorporated any new elements or methods that weren’t there before throughout your discography?
My previous singles and first EP’s processes were so different – I would connect with producers and sing over their existing instrumentals. I really enjoyed that, but naturally started to lean more into sessions where I was directing the music from the start, stepping into my producer shoes. This is where the Born For This tracks were born.
The song is part of your more expansive EP Born For This, which is due to be released on the 13th of September. The project deals with themes of love and grief. What was the experience that initiated you to create this spirited EP?
I lost my mum and my aunt the beginning of this year. The whole experience made me think about grief, love and loss, how they connect — and I felt it was so important to explore those ideas for this project. In a strange way, the loss really helped me get through this year, creatively.
You’ve had quite a lot of success, already gaining over 10 million streams across streaming platforms and holding at Radio 1 Stage at the Reading Festival. What has been your favourite moment since the beginning of your young career?
I would definitely be when I was on my first support tour last year. Getting to play London Roundhouse was insane — I love playing music live.
In terms of collaborating, which artist (dead or alive) would you pick to work with and why?
I’d love to work with Arlo Parks, whose music really touches me. I think we’d create something truly beautiful.
Last but not least, what is your definition of culture?
I think culture is anything that gets people talking.
Stream Magic by Khazali on Spotify.
