From M.I.A to Amy Whinehouse, the artist gets candid on her dreams for the future and inspirations for our Ones to Watch in 2022.
2022 is bringing with it many things. From the prospect of new beginnings to hotly-anticipated movie releases and, according to the news, plenty more hype-worthy fashion collaboration. But, above all, the one thing we are most excited about is the revamp our Spotify playlists are going to receive as some of the UK’s fastest rising musical talents set out to treat to the world to a slice of their incomparable sound. With this in mind, we could not think of a better way to kick off the new year than by introducing you to the artists set to dominate the music industry in 2022. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy Wonderland’s Ones to Watch round-up.
Currently, one of the most arguably talked about newcomers on the jungle scene right now is 22 year old Nia Archives. From her trippy rave-style videos to her DIY approach to music, the artist has effortlessly navigated her way through the scene this past year, using her fluttering neo-soul vocals and experimental sound. With a distinctive aesthetic and versatile sound at her disposal, Archives exploded onto the scene in 2020 with her single “Sober Feels” and hasn’t looked back.
Staying focused on her second EP and more music, 2022 is set to be a big year for Archives and we’re ready to witness it. Head below now to check out our interview with the rising star.
I AM Nia Archives
BORN Bradford AND RAISED IN Leeds and Manchester
THE FIRST RECORD I FIRST FELL IN LOVE WAS Amy Winehouse – Frank
NOW IT REMINDS ME OF different eras of my life, I feel like it is one album that has followed me since I was a kid and I continually go back to it.
MY BIGGEST INFLUENCES ARE Burial, Roni Size, Roots Manuva, M.I.A, Kemistry and Storm and Ms Dynamite
VISUALLY, I’M INSPIRED BY Beagle, Skateboarding culture, Old Skool Jungle rave documentaries, Soundsystem culture, West Indian carnival archives
MY MOST PERSONAL LYRIC IS Crossroads IT’S ABOUT coming to a crossroads in life and not knowing which way to go
RIGHT NOW I’M WRITING ABOUT my life right now, being 22 and sitting with emotions for the first time instead of relying on escapism. Also talking about my life experiences, relationships, love and loss.
I HOPE MY MUSIC MAKES PEOPLE feel something
MY SUPERPOWER IS my intuition
ONE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT’S STUCK WITH ME IS all you have to do is do you
THE BEST GIG I’VE EVER SEEN WAS Alfa Mist at Gorilla, Manchester
THE BEST CROWD I’VE EVER PLAYED WAS between City Splash Festival and my debut show in Brighton for Platform B
THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT ME IS that I’m from London/ Down South
MY BIGGEST LEARNING CURVE THIS YEAR WAS I need to use TikTok more
THIS YEAR I’M YEAR PROUD OF finishing my second EP which is out next year and playing my first DJ sets.
I’M EVOLVING INTO me
I WON’T COMPROMISE ON my sound and authenticity
THE FUTURE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY is more diverse to cater to different types of people
AS AN INDUSTRY, WE NEED TO champion more women especially black and POC
BRING BACK style inna dance
GEN Z IS social media
AT MIDNIGHT ON NYE, I’M WISHING FOR more life, opportunities & experiences
SONG I’VE HAD ON REPEAT IN 2021 Xplain – Brighter Days Family
SONG I’M BRINGING INTO 2022 Calvin K – CLIP
BEING INCLUDED AS ONE OF WONDERLAND’S ONES TO WATCH MAKES ME FEEL excited and optimistic for 2022
MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION IS to gain more experience as a DJ and become a better producer
