Upn6xt caught up with the triple threat; Singer, dancer, model to discuss her creative process, the struggles of being a woman in the male dominated afrobeat scene, and get to know a little bit more about her journey into music.
The Rwandan born songstress says her passion for music and her diverse sound was sparked by her family
Growing up, music was always a part of my life. I started off singing with my family. Then In school performances, wedding events, and festivals back home in Rwanda.
In the beginning of 2017. I decided to take my music career more seriously since I was already in the entertainment industry as a dancer and model. I released my first single promo called “I surrender “ featured my former label mate Ghcali. Then later I released my second single which came out with a dashing video called “Fever”
Always cultivating her sound, this young artist says she has been inspired by artists like Celine Dion, Rihanna and Beyonce, But her true inspiration, she says, comes from her father.
Although I have always felt inspired by these artists, my first inspiration and favourite of all the time is my Father, who is also a musician.
What sparks your inspiration to create and keeps you getting back into the studio again and again?
I would say that it’s the love I have for music. it comes naturally, when I feel inspired by something, I write it down then work on it, so when I go to the studio I make something better. I believe that I get better each time I record a song. The studio is my second home, where I express all my feelings and the love I have for music.
Queening isn’t easy in this industry, especially in a category that is heavily male dominated. So we asked the singer what she felt were her biggest obstacles she had to face to gain opportunities while pursuing her career.
Last summer, we hosted a show that focused solely on female talent in the city of Toronto. To support the female talent in our city and help promote new artist.
As a female artist with a heavy afrobeat influence, What would you say is the hardest part about being a woman in this industry?
The hardest part about being a woman in this industry is that some people just don’t take us seriously and they take our talents for granted. Sometime it’s so hard for us women to receive opportunities because most people, all around the world don’t believe in us and what we are capable of.
We really go through a lot to prove our talents but we never give up, we always get up at some point. Shoutout to every woman who is out there trying all her best to make her dreams come true!
Your latest single "For you" Is definitely a hit! What inspired the song?
My latest single “For you” was inspired by a love story.
The feeling you get when you are so in love with someone and want them to know that you will always be there for them no matter what y’all go through or what people say about your relationship. You want him or her to know that you are the one who will be there Forever.
What can we expect from Flora this summer is there any new music coming soon?
This summer I got a lot of surprises for my fans, first of all I have a new single called “Touch my Body” it will be out by the end of this month and so many other projects as well. I will also be doing some features with a few toronto artist as well that I am super excited about so stay tuned for that!!
What advice can you give to any up and coming young aspiring artists?
Advice that I can give to any up and coming young aspiring artists is to believe in themselves, don’t listen to what negative people have to say, that you can’t do this or that. Just stay focused and stay positive always. You can do anything once you put your mind to it.
Go check out Floras latest single “For you” out NOW
Follow her on Instagram. @Flora on instagram