We were joined by rising artist SAIDOU for a first convo with him as part of our Rising Interview series. SAIDOU is based in Camden and his music represents his community and his experiences. He is preparing for his first official release.
I have been focusing on my mental health so that I don’t lose myself
This past year for many reasons surrounding the pandemic has been a challenge for many artists! How have you found this period of time? How have you been keeping?
For me as an artist, during this pandemic I have been focussing on myself, trying to articulate different flows. But also I have been focusing on my mental health so that I don’t lose myself, so I have been making music or sometimes going out to skate. For me, this period has been a lot easier than the first lockdown because I have experienced it before. I think before it was really challenging - my mental health was really bad and I felt like quitting music.
Picking up on what you just answered, what advice would you have for people who struggle with mental health and feel demotivated to follow their passions?
For other people to follow their passions, and for anyone who feels demotivated, you should focus on yourself and remove distractions. If that doesn’t work and your mental health keeps kicking in, you should trying finding activities like drawing, going out for a run, walking, going out for park walks - just anything to put your mind aside from what is making you upset or less motivated. Try doing a schedule or morning routine just to get your brain activated, question why you feel demotivated and try even when you don’t find answers.
I would describe my music as ‘motivational therapy’…
For those who haven't heard your music yet, how would you describe it?
For me, I would describe my music as ‘motivational therapy’. For example, someone who recently listened to my music for the first time, they called it that and said it made them feel better. It meant a lot to me to hear that. I think my music focuses on the positive, puts aside all the negative things and hopefully encourages people to get into music themselves - that is how I would describe my music.
outgoing, kind, goofy… sometimes he needs to work on his mental health but he gets there.
Why is it you think that people connect so much to your music?
People seem to connect with my music because most of the things I write about are either positive or relatable. People feel that connection and I think that brings them into my music and lyrics.
What is your personal story? Who is the 'Saidou' behind the music?
If I were to describe Saidou - or give Saidou a story… I would say that Saidou comes from a house that is sometimes stable, and that is sometimes not stable. He lives in an environment that is not always positive, but he always seems to find positivity, and always finds a way to get there. Saidou gets by. He’s outgoing, kind, goofy… sometimes he needs to work on his mental health but he gets there.
What impact do you feel that has on your music?
I feel that is why my music is sometimes helpful. It can brighten people’s moods and lets them know they aren’t the only ones going through the type of stuff I am saying. But behind the music, I get up to other things… I skate, play basketball, I draw and I customise shoes.
Yeah! We heard you customise and sell shoes. How did you get into that? (and how do we get them!)
Yeah, I customise shoes - I’ve kind of always been into customising shoes since I saw it on YouTube so I just picked it up and did it myself. People message me asking what they want, give me a reference picture, give me some money, I do the shoe and then get it to them. Anyone can message me for it.
[Music] can brighten people’s moods and lets them know they aren’t the only ones going through these things
Awesome. Back to the music, are there any rappers or artists you draw from for inspiration? If any?
I get inspirations from a quite a few artists… Skepta, Tupac, Biggie, Big L, Dave and Stormzy especially.
Final question - what can we expect from you over the next few months? What is up next?
You will get some music videos, new ideas and new content.