One to watch: singer Fousheé on famous fans and finding her voice
From writing lyrics in her bedroom aged five to fighting for recognition on an uncredited sample of her music, FOUSHEÉ has never been afraid to use her voice. She talks to OLIVE WAKEFIELD about her rock-star fans and using the power of words to create change
Fousheé is spinning her laptop round the room so fast, the screen starts to blur. This may be a virtual tour of the singer-songwriter’s downtown LA loft, but it’s also a sensation that sums up the year she’s had – a dizzy haze of writing and releasing her first major record, time machine. Since her debut project dropped in June, New Jersey-native Britanny Fousheé’s feet have barely touched the ground.
Yes, time machine brings together her signature guitar riffs, feathery vocals and R&B hooks (note her soulful sample of Carole King’s ballad It’s Too Late), but it also touches on themes that have plagued us all in recent months: disenfranchisement, loneliness and the unsettling feeling of constantly being on the brink… something she captures in her song deep end: “I’ve been trying not to go off the deep end,” she sings, “I don’t think you wanna give me a reason”. The anthem is fast becoming a Smells Like Teen Spirit for the TikTok generation.
Her debut has garnered five stars across the board, resulting in a call from the Jimmy Kimmel Show team, inviting her to perform in a prime-time slot. Fousheé’s whole family back on the US East Coast, including her elderly grandfather, stayed up late to watch. “I’m grateful [the album] was well received,” says the singer-songwriter. “It’s been really exciting to see who has been listening.” Counted among those listeners will be James Blake and Lil Wayne, both fans-turned-collaborators – the latter of whom Fousheé connected with on Instagram. Shortly after, Lil Wayne flew her out to his studio in Miami to record with him.
Indeed, Fousheé has come a long way since finding her voice aged five in her suburban New Jersey bedroom, writing lyrics and crafting missives that were wise beyond her years – a self-assurance that would come to serve her well down the line. Last year, when a track by the rapper Sleepy Hallow using an uncredited sample of her song deep end went viral, Fousheé spoke out. In a TikTok video watched by more than six million people, she revealed herself as the writer and asked to be publicly credited on the song. Then an upcoming artist, it was a brave move to challenge the norm – but it paid off. Not only is she now fully credited on the Sleepy Hallow track, but she has reclaimed the song for her own art, recording an extended version for the album.
Next up for Fousheé is a long-awaited return to the stage. In November, she will perform at Day N Vegas festival, sharing the bill with hip-hop and pop heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar, Doja Cat and Saweetie. It is something of a homecoming. “I have spent a lot of time on stage. When I was up-and-coming in New York, I used to play live shows every night, so it finally feels like home.”
“I’m grateful [the album] was well received. It’s been really exciting to see who has been listening
”
Fousheé, thanks for speaking to us today. Where are you right now?
“I’m in my loft in Downtown LA.”
What time of day do you feel your most creative?
“Randomly, at 1am, when I am at a party or somewhere when it’s just not the right time. I rely on my Notes app a lot when I am out and about.”
What are five things we would always find in your handbag?
“My handbag doesn’t fit a lot, so I [only] keep the essential things in there: keys, card, phone, my eyebrow flick and lip gloss.”
How did lockdown impact your creativity?
“It was hard writing because you’re not experiencing new things; finding inspiration sat inside the house [is difficult]. It’s why the album title time machine is very fitting. I went back to old memories and experiences and pulled from that.”
“You can manifest what type of world you live in, so watch what you say and be intentional with how you use your words
”
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“You create your world with your words. You can manifest what type of world you live in, so watch what you say and be intentional with how you use your words. I try to follow that advice every day.”
Which female musicians do you look up to?
“Lauryn Hill, Nicki Minaj, Tracy Chapman.”
What was the last voice note you sent?
“It was to BabyxSosa. She was recording a song that got stuck in my head, so I sent her a voice note of me singing it.”
Who would you want to play you in the movie of your life?
“Zoë Kravitz. She is so cool.”
Name a song you wish you’d written…
“It’s Too Late by Carole King. It’s so beautiful. I did a sample of it [2L8 on time machine].”
“[Social media] can be so consuming. I have such a compulsive personality, I will scroll and scroll. I need to find a balance
”
Where would we find you at 2am and 10am on a Saturday?
“I’m spontaneous, but I’m also a homebody and a loner. I will either be at some crazy LA party or at home in bed.”
Do you remember the first lyrics you ever wrote?
“My two earliest songs were called you’re in my way and why d’ya do it to me. I wrote them when I was five. The first one goes, ‘You’re in my way / please set me free’ and the second, ‘Why d’ya do it to me / Left me down on my knees’.”
What is your relationship with social media like?
“It can be so consuming. I have such a compulsive personality, I will scroll and scroll. I need to find a balance.”
Where will you be this time next month?
“Hopefully on a yacht somewhere!”
Who would you love to work with?
“Billie Eilish and Frank Ocean.”
What is one thing you’d love to achieve in the next 10 years?
“I’d love to buy my mom a house in Atlanta or Texas – and also [win] a Grammy!”
Fousheé’s project, time machine, and her new single, clap for him, featuring Lil Yachty, are out now