The genre-bending Persian/New Zealand artist CHAII releases her latest project today, the visual EP ‘Lightswitch.’ CHAII is a multi talented artist with her hands in every aspect of her work, including beat creation, video production, directing and of course her unique sound of hip hop and rap.
Read more about CHAII below in our interview below!
1. How and when did you start making music?
Starting writing rhymes when I was like 11. Then in High School my music teacher set up a recording studio in our class so I got hooked onto making beats and recording.
2. How would you describe your sound and style of rap?
Experimental and Fusion of Persian and Hip Hop music.
3. Who are some of your musical influences?
Vince staples, DaniLeigh, MIA, J cole and Missy Elliot.
4. You’re a multifaceted creative in that you rap, write, create your own beats, and even direct and produce your own videos. How important do you feel it is to have a say in the creative direction and decision behind every aspect of your art?
I’ve always found it much easier expressing myself through music/visuals or a creative outlet, so it’s really important to me and I enjoy it a lot. In saying that I also love collaborating. I collaborated with Frank Keys, he produced 3 of the songs on the EP. It also takes a team to make my visions come to life. Shout out to my amazing friends Abe Mora, Brooke Tyson and Frank Eliesa. We all travel together and make the videos guerrilla style.
5. On July 10 you’ll be releasing Lightswitch, a 6 track visual EP. What inspired the decision to do this visual EP?
It happened organically. I like having visuals to songs so a visual EP was naturally the way to go.
6. Can you tell us about one of the tracks you’re most excited to release?
‘Lightswitch’ Produced by Frank keys, is the lead single of the EP and I’m super excited about it. My friends were in LA at the same time. Was so cool to have them in the video and the shoot was really fun around LA.
7. Your last two videos were filmed overseas in Oman, are all the visuals from the EP filmed there on location as well?
3 of the videos were filmed in Oman and the other 3 in California.
8. Your work, from the visuals to the music itself, seems very influenced by your
background and culture. How important is including your culture in your work?
background and culture. How important is including your culture in your work?
It’s a way to keep my culture alive for myself so it’s really important and naturally happens. I want my music to stay true to who I am.
9. You were set to have a showcase at SXSW 2020 that was unfortunately cancelled. A lot of artists did a lot of digital events and concerts as a substitute, have you done anything similar and do you find it helpful to promote your music?
I started using Instagram live. I would go live and make beats or play music. Also filmed some live performance videos at home.
10. What can we expect from you in the future, and after the EP release?
More projects and definitely some unexpected tunes and visuals to come.
Listen to Lightswitch, and more of CHAII’s work, on Spotify and Apple Music.
Find CHAII’s videos on YouTube.
Photo by Abe Mora
Digital Content Manager at Beyond the Stage Magazine
Joe Hernandez is Beyond the Stage's Digital Content Manager and has been with the publication since 2018. He graduated from Portland State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and also found a passion for photography and music journalism while working in college radio. His favorite thing on the planet is his mini goldendoodle, and favorite artists include CHVRCHES, flor, The 1975 and Walk the Moon.
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