Grammy Award-nominated singer Amanda Reifer is dropping a sonic appetiser to her upcoming debut album The Reifer Files with a collection of songs called Island Files. The five-track project is a love letter to her Bajan roots and perfectly captures her eclectic blend of R&B and pop reggae. Reifer’s solo debut follows years of crafting her sound, from being the lead singer of hit band Cover Drive, to more recently featuring on Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. Now she’s in the driving the seat exploring womanhood through her music and inviting you to come on the journey with her. We get to know the star on the drop of Island Files with a playlist curated by Reifer herself.
Hey Amanda, what are you up to right now?
I’m currently mixing my album The Reifer Files. I’ve been writing and recording it for the past three years and also filming and co-directing visuals for the album. While it’s mixing, I can’t help it, I gotta stay creative so I put together a separate collection of songs called Island Files [as] an ode to my Caribbean roots.
In what ways has your culture shaped your current sound?
Barbados is always with me. It’s in my language and cadence, my rhythm. You can hear it come through in the pocket when I sing R&B or hear it in the flow of my raps. However I choose to express myself it’s there.
Can you share something you love about London?
The weather. Ha, nah, London was the first city I ever lived in when I left Barbados as a teen so it’s my first big city love. The unapologetic street style and individuality of the people, I love that, it’s inspiring.
You were part of a hit group when you were younger. What about that time prepared you for now?
I had so many invaluable experiences. Being a young girl leading a band of guys was tough preparation. Sometimes behind the scenes I felt outnumbered and unheard, that’s a difficult position to navigate at such a young age. The most valuable lesson I learned is the importance of knowing and using my voice. The more you use your voice to advocate for yourself, the more confidently you know it [and] the stronger it gets. Making the difficult transition of stepping into my solo career and starting over was really a mark of growth from a young girl to a young woman.
Since then you’ve crafted your own sound and even featured on Kendrick’s latest album. How did you first connect and what was it like collaborating with him?
Man, I’m so honoured and appreciative to have been a part of that album. We were introduced at a studio when I had just started working on my album. I played him some of what I had been writing and recording and that led to me being invited to work with him and his crew on Die Hard. Working with Kendrick and producers like Sounwave, Dahi and J.Ibs has changed my life. I learned so much now I’m a better writer and artist because of that experience and I’m so blessed to have these same inspiring men be a big part in the creation of my upcoming album.
What does the music you’re making say about this era of your life?
It says I’m a Woman Now. I have the audacity to express myself and all of my complexities. I have the right to evolve.
How does it make you feel when you listen to it?
It makes me feel confidently exposed and empowered.
What track are you most excited for people to hear?
I’m really excited for people to hear the album as a whole. We spent time sequencing the project in a way that takes you through waves of experiences and perspectives as a young woman. It’s genre-bending and emotionally fearless.
Amanda Reifer‘s project ‘Island Files‘ is out now.
photography. Junior Sealy
talent. Amanda Reifer
words. Shama Nasinde
