Lil Halima is making the kind of dreamy bedroom sound waves that are reminiscent of being folded slow-motion into your duvet. And we’re ready to be coddled for an eternity.

Discovered on Instagram, with influences ranging from traditional Norwegian music, to Spanish salsa and the unstoppable grooves of Lauryn Hill, expect shimmery R&B-tinged pop production teamed with the Norwegian-Kenyan babe’s honey purr, all perfectly packaged in her debut EP “love songs for bad lovers.”

We chatted to the Scandi up-and-comer on the inspiration behind her tracks, making art and finding a purpose in music…

How did you first get into music?
I grew up struggling to find my place in this world and I still am in many ways. But music and other art forms allow me to build something for myself, so I can take 100% control and create something that gives me purpose for myself.

Who did you listen to growing up?
Growing up, me and my siblings listened to a lot of different music. My grandmother used to sing more traditional Norwegian music, while my mom and dad danced salsa to Spanish music. My dad brought American hip hop with him and played us artists like Richard Marx, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Tupac, Eazy-E, Diana Ross, Lauryn Hill and so on. I remember my mum used to love TLC, and it was the only CD she kept in her car for a while. We would all sing on the top of our lungs “don’t go chasing waterfalls!”

And how about when you started experiencing music for yourself?
I’ve listened to folk music since I’ve starting playing the violin and listened to a lot of artists like Bon Iver, James Blake, Keaton Henson and Ben Howard. But now I mostly listen to more R&B and soul artists.

I heard you were discovered on Instagram – can you tell me a bit more about this?
I don’t really know how it happened, but I was contacted by the woman who now is my manager and we started working together after a little while. It has been amazing.

Where do you find inspiration for your music?
Everywhere. Other artists but also nature, humans and the weirdness of our existence.

You’ve dropped your EP, “love songs for bad lovers” – can you talk in a little more detail on what this is about?
It’s about being in love for the first time. It’s kind of ironic, because you wouldn’t call someone bad at something just because they never tried it before.

Do you find dropping music that’s so personal quite scary?
Yes, but at the same time not at all. Because of the freedom involved in making music, people will never know if its 100% true to reality or not.

There’s a lot of cross-genre songs in your EP – do you snatch influences from all types of music?
Genres are overrated, I just make what I feel like making. But I’m currently listening to mostly what I guess falls under R&B and Soul!

Do you have a favourite track or favourite lyric? And if so, why?
I like the lyrics in “Would U”, because its very straight-forward. Especially the “feels like we’re earthwalking up on the moon right?/So wrong and so beautiful.” It was just a mood.

So you’re also a painter and illustrator as well – how do you think this feeds into your music?
I think as an artist you should be an artist in your bones, I guess we all are artists. And its just another way to express myself.

With however busy you get with your music, do you think this is something that you’ll keep up?
Yes, absolutely. And I want to get more into film photography as well. And a lot of other things, if I have time.

Have just seen on your Instagram that you use yourself as a canvas quite a lot – do you enjoy self-portraiture?
Yes, I love expressing how I feel with actually painting it on my body.

What’s next for you?
A lot of fun, music, art, growing and learning! Next release will be in the beginning of next year.