Soul singer GiGi opens up about her musical journey, creative process and what listeners can expect from her next chapter. She also shares the inspiration behind her newly released debut EP, The Waves of It.
What moment did you realize that singing could be more than a personal passion?
I would say probably fifth, sixth grade. And it was actually after an audition. It was a competition in the city, and I had won it, and I was just over the moon. And honestly, for me, that was like, okay, I really can do this. And it definitely enlightened that spark in me for the passion that I’ve always had. From there, it absolutely just grew. I just stuck to my guns. So, I would say very early on.
Waves of It is your debut EP. What inspired the title?
Waves of It, honestly, was just a combination of different feelings. For me, Waves of It gives you your feels; it explains your feelings and the highs and lows. Whatever waves are being brought on, that is what it’s about. That’s why the songs have some love, some more of an attitude on some of them, and some are sweeter. It takes you through different fields of emotion. So that’s where “Waves of It” came from.
You’ve said that your EP balances the aftermath of heartache with the triumph of self-knowledge. How did you channel both sides of that spectrum into the music?
I believe I channeled it by simply being honest about my feelings and being vulnerable. For me, it felt like a therapy session, and it truly worked. It was the perfect combination of processing something and acknowledging this new version of myself. So, that’s the outcome, and I love it. Free therapy.
Growing up in Detroit, you were surrounded by the sounds of Bobby Womack and the Four Tops. How do those early influences show up in Waves of It?
I grew up listening to oldies like the Isley Brothers, Anita Baker, and Marvin Gaye. Although I enjoy all genres, those artists influenced my songwriting. Their style was melodic and focused on storytelling, and I aim to maintain that transparency in my music today.
What did hitting 10,000 YouTube views as a sixth grader teach you about your voice in this potential week?
Oh, you know, that was such a sweet memory for me. I remember it as clear as day. One, I wasn’t expecting it. I was so young, but it just really showed me that anything is possible, because I honestly just put it up because I loved singing, and I just heard about YouTube. I didn’t expect it to do so well. So, as a kid, it definitely was a motivating factor for me to just keep singing.
Which track of Waves of It felt most personal to write, and what made it stand out for you?
I think the most personal to me was “Fumbled Me.” I feel like that is really a heart-to-heart, open, transparent… That meant a lot, because I felt that openness and vulnerability with that song. I don’t have another song that vulnerable, so that is my most vulnerable song so far, and it definitely, again, was like a therapy session for sure.
I love songs that hold men accountable.
Okay, and listen, somebody has to do it. I do too.
They say accountability is love, right?
Yes. Gotta hold them accountable.
Your music speaks to women who know their worth and feel it. How do you make sure that the message remains authentic across everything you create?
I think that the message stays authentic with me creating from an open and honest space. Anytime I get in the studio, my whole process is how am I feeling today? What haven’t I spoken on, or what do I feel inclined to get off my chest in this moment? I think approaching that space is how I write my most vulnerable songs. I know it’s something that everybody can relate to. Everybody had a little heartbreak, a little love too, and everything in between. So, I’m just grateful to be able to create, and I’m glad that everyone is receiving it. That’s so special.
You described yourself as a music head. What were you listening to during the making of Waves of It that helped shape the sound?
Oh, I like this question. You know what I was listening to? It’s going to be all over the place. I was listening to some Sade. I was also listening to some Paul Hardcastle. He’s jazz. I also listened to Leon Thomas and Brandy. It was a little bit of everything. Yes, I would say those few. I love me some Sade, so she was definitely being played heavily as always.
How did teaming up with Terrence “Snake” Hawkins and Warner Bros. push your vision for the EP to the next level?
Oh, it’s been great. Honestly, with Snake being such a motivating force after I had my daughter… I had definitely taken a hiatus from music in general, and he is someone who was constantly asking me when I would sing again, and again. I always have to thank him just because that push really mattered at the time and still does. And Warner Bros. has been so open to my ideas and just giving me that creative freedom, whether it be with the styling or some sounds or whatever. They give me that space to let me be exactly who I am, and I just thank them so, so much. It’s been amazing. A blessing, really.
That’s awesome. From viral covers to original releases, how did you grow as a songwriter while working on this project?
I think I grew as a songwriter most during creating this project because, again, I had been through such a journey with being in a girl group, being out of a girl group, working with, of course, the amazing Sean Garrett, but not really having a chance throughout my journey up until this project to write my own story. And I think that this allowed me, after such different trials and tribulations, to finally put myself to the test, put my pen and my story on the line, and it forced me to utilize something that I had always loved to do. And that’s why this honestly means so, so much. It’s really been a long time coming for this little baby, Waves of It. So yes, this is very special to me.
Last question. Now that your debut is out in the world, what do you hope people understand about who Gigi is and what comes next?
I hope that they understand just my relatability, I think. I always want to be someone that everybody can relate to because, I mean, I’ve kind of been through it almost all. So, I always want to exude that… I just want authenticity to always be at the forefront when it comes to me. And I’m so excited to be working on my next EP already. That will be out sometime soon. So yes, it’s been amazing.
Be’n Original
