Words by Art Jefferson
Images Courtesy of Cheney
Cheney may be new to the music industry but she is getting ready to make a splash harder than a tropical tsunami. The London bombshell creates a dark and uber-sexy helping of electronica and future r&b that radiates with a strong confidence of attitude and a security in her evident sexiness. First emerging on the scene with her track with Toronto producer OBESØN titled ‘Say My Name’ in 2015, Cheney went on to record the song ‘Sex’ with Spain’s Choclock, not to mention her sultry cuts ‘Dirty Secrets’ and ‘All About You’. Her latest single ‘Astronomy’ is a moody, slow-burning bit that highlights Cheney’s understanding of her worth and an ex’s immense loss. With every sign pointing to stardom, the world is about to scream Cheney’s name…and yell it loudly.
Musically people may have originally gotten to know you through your collaboration track with OBESØN. Was that your introduction or were there previous recordings? Also how did that collab occur?
Cheney – OBESØN definitely help put a light on me. He had about 30,000 followers on Soundcloud when that track was released which obviously was a lot of people for me to be exposed to. I didn’t release anything for 9 months after that so I thought everyone would’ve dropped off but they didn’t! I was really shocked and so grateful. It’s probably why most my fan base is US/Canada based.
The collab came about totally randomly and was a surprise to me actually! I was a fan of OBESØN and I had sent him some vocals for ‘Say My Name’ which I had just put out on my Soundcloud. I never heard anything so assumed he was using them. Then he out a tweet out 2 or so months later saying who wants to hear a new track. So I favourited it and he dropped me a message saying it was a rework of ‘Say My Name’! So I was totally over the moon!
You music is quite steamy and seductive. Can you talk about the formation of your sound and what inspired the direction?
Cheney – Thank you! I’d say I really started crafting this sound about 2 years ago now nearly. I used to be a very big pop writer. But I had been listening to a lot of The Weeknd, Frank Ocean and Drake etc. So my style sort of shifted with my music taste. I remember the first song I wrote in that style was ‘Sex’. I wanted it to sound dark and sultry even though it was a song about personal pain of being nothing more than a bed mate. I’m still working on the sound, there’s a lot of work to be done and my taste is always changing. I’m always wanting to do new things so I look forward in showing everyone the developments.
Were you always a huge fan of r&b? Who were some of the artists that inspired you?
Cheney – Yes. Growing up with my dad as a DJ for Ministry I was exposed to a lot of different music. So as a young girl I’d love Toni Braxton, Chakka Khan, Aretha Franklin. And as I got more into my teens I found the likes of Drake, and Kendrick, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown. So r&b has always had a big piece of my heart. I just love the different emotions and soul it conveys. I’m definitely a soft touch for an r&b singer haha.
There is a bold confidence that you exude in your music especially when it comes to your sex appeal and lyrical content. Is that confidence something that has always been a part of you naturally growing up or did you learn it overtime?
Cheney – To be completely honest, its more of a persona. I had been bullied at school so confidence definitely wasn’t my thing. I had to develop it again as I grew and I definitely was not the girl all the boys fancied haha. But I’ve always been proud of who I am and known my self worth. So I think that’s where the confidence comes through. I’m very much a promoter of love yourself unconditionally and knowing your value no matter what people say. As I got into my 20’s and boys started to take an interest it’s safe to say I’ve definitely had situations I’ve had to own my woman and take no BS. It’s all of these experiences that my songs stem from. If there’s one thing I expect when it comes to myself and my body it’s respect and I’m not afraid to demand it or walk away.
How did the relationship with you and The GoodVibe team come about?
Cheney – I actually messaged The GoodVibe Soundcloud just over a year ago and Tyrone had picked it up. He said he liked my music and invited me in for a meeting with the GV team and we instantly clicked. They’ve believed in me from day 1 and I respect and appreciate it more than they know. We have been a power team since.
One interesting collaboration that you did is with the Spanish artist Choclock. You two had a really great chemistry of the track ‘Sex’. How was that experience working on that cut and do you think you two will do more songs together in the near future?
Cheney – Choclock is a dope artist man. He slayed the whole track and I love what he did with my vocals and EVERYTHING on it. In honesty I let him do his thing and handle all my vocals. He just got the sound. I definitely think we’ll work together again! With the distance, it would be nice to actually vibe in person.
Can you talk about your EP ‘The Coming’? Who did you work with in terms of producers and what can listeners expect?
Cheney – I worked with a lot of people in the making of this. I had the pleasure of working with Mikey Music, he’s an absolute creative genius. Also with Dr Vades who are proper chill guys. It was so much fun working with them! My go to on this album is Sound Of Fractures. He gets my moody but sultry feels and definitely pushes me to be better in terms of lyrical and melody content. There’s a track on the EP that’s really vulnerable for me. It’s all about my every day fears trying to pursue the music. I’m excited for everyone to hear it. I might even have a cheeky visual for everyone too. The sound is still dark and sultry with a few different elements too. All in divine time though of course.
One thing that I like to ask artists is about their creative inspirations. Where do you turn to when seeking inspiration to write and create music?
Cheney – Oh goodness. My life always. Usually relationships. As a girl in her 20s it’s safe to say boy drama is still effervescence (good lord), there’s always plenty of situations to write about. And if not myself other people. Sometimes I write as a person in aiming to be, so my songs can be a bit ‘future fiction’ if you like. I think of it as working the law of attraction into my passion though. I’ve always been good with rhymes so whatever is sticking in my conscious usually gets on the mic at some point.
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