Sipleen: “Strawberry Red” Out Now!
Meet Sipleen, an alternative R&B Artist from Southeast San Diego, California. Sipleen started writing and singing her own music about a year ago and has already made strides by releasing her own music that is filled with strong-willed messages and catchy hooks. On June 30th, Sipleen released her single, "Strawberry Red," which is now out on all platforms to listen to. Let's learn more about the creation process for "Strawberry Red," what inspires Sipleen, and what we can expect from her in the future.
LISTEN TO "STRAWBERRY RED" TODAY.
Photo taken by @gj_shoots on IG
NAME, WHERE YOU ARE FROM, WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC YOU MAKE, AND WHEN YOU STARTED MAKING MUSIC.
"Sipleen. Leen is light, and as a kid, I used to think all the songs about sipping lean were about me. When I moved to Mississippi as a teenager, I loved it there. I made myself a home, so then began Sipleen. Later, I learned that S.I.P. is a program that maintains communication sessions that include voice messaging. One of the main ways we communicate from a distance now. My purpose knew me before I knew it. I started writing and singing my own music a year ago."
WHAT GOT YOU INTO MAKING YOUR OWN MUSIC?
"Writing poetry and journaling is an outlet for me. I've always held on to anger and tears. The past few years, I found myself singing alone in the car at night during challenging points in my life. With all of the emotion inside, I realized that expression through singing was a form of liberation for me. One day I was so pissed I turned my stereo all the way up and blasted some hip-hop instrumentals to decompress. I began reciting a poem I had written while the beat played. As I repeated the poem, it became a song."
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS FOR YOUR MUSIC?
"The hip hop culture as a whole and all the different art it entails, like music, fashion, and dance. My favorite painter is Jean-Micheal Basquiat. I feel like the same spirit speaks through our art. Erykah Badu, Raphael Saadiq, and The Dungeon Family are who I feel influenced the sound and the righteousness in my music. My parents are young, so we always listened to the same music, but I discovered a lot of jazz on my own. Ella Fitzgerald is a new favorite for me; I'm listening to her and seriously taking notes."
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR MOST RECENT RELEASE, "STRAWBERRY RED," WHICH CAME OUT ON JUNE 30TH. WHAT IS THE SONG ABOUT?
"Strawberries are one of the most popular fruit. Bright red, they stand out. Their seeds are vulnerable on the outside. You know one when you see one. Also, a very sweet and tender fruit. It reminds me of the reality of the divine masculine: our Black Kings specifically and the narrow-minded portrayal of the black community. In the summer, the reality of the 'culture' intensifies for some. Black people are killing each other, lowering or completely ignoring the standards we should set for ourselves as people. I'm pretty much mocking a lot of the lyrics you typically hear in more popular songs. This song is a cry out to stop. A cry out from deep wisdom. A message from the divine feminine for all of us to look within and steer ourselves into alignment without."
TELL ME ABOUT THE RECORDING PROCESS FOR "STRAWBERRY RED." WERE THERE ANY CHALLENGES?
"'Strawberry Red' is my very first studio-recorded song! This was a learning experience. Allowing emotion to come out and getting into the zone was new to do in front of someone in a quiet studio on an early Wednesday morning. Even though I had prepared harmonies, I found myself being creative when adding layers to my song, and we played back little 10-second clips over and over so that I could memorize what I just sang. But I enjoyed it all! I got to laugh at myself! It was mentally and vocally exhausting, and I went busking right after…my voice was so tired!"
HAVE YOU PLAYED LIVE, AND IF SO, CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT?
"I have performed live! I started singing in the street; the kissing statue in Seaport Village was the first place I performed. I was challenging myself to overcome some fears. Then I discovered Black Xpression's Open Mic on Friday nights. Since then, I have met other artists and community members who invited me to perform at local events like the Summer Bazaar at Oya Art Gallery and Boutique and the Soul Swap Meet. Performing is my passion! I love to portray emotions and dance along with my lyrics. I am always looking for more opportunities to perform live!"
WHAT IS SOME ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO OTHER SOLO ARTISTS WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO GETTING YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE?
"Pay attention to the quality of your music. The content of your music is important; however, if the quality is not as clear and precise, it may be hard to listen to. You want to get your message across, listen to your favorite music and shoot for that type of quality. Especially if you are a singer and your laying down vocals."
"Say your visions and ideas out loud. Many times we have great ideas, but with a lack of experience, it can be difficult to bring your vision to life. I voiced what I wanted and found that my engineer was really listening to me."
"You are not 'shy,' you only had to protect yourself in a world that was meant to grow you. Go out, make friends, meet other artists, and ask questions. F**k whatever opinions others have of you. Practice as much as possible, take constructive criticism seriously, and continue to better yourself every day."
WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE?
"I plan to continue singing for the joy it brings to my heart. Continue making music that sheds light on the community we want to build and the prosperous mindset we want to frame. I feel like that alone will bring me success in passing on my message. I hope to change lives. I plan to infiltrate the mainstream media to bring our children more love vibrations instead of hate."