Spotlight Artist Interview: Neferfari Speaks To Our Hearts
It was the constant wear and tear of the day, the if-you-want-something-done-right-do-it-yourself mentality, that surged through every fiber of my being . It was a Monday, and, like all Mondays, the start of the work week was looming precariously.
It was cold and rainy, the most unpleasant combination for anyone trying to navigate city streets.
Looking out of my window, I searched for anything that would help to relax me and bring me some peace. From my office on the sixth floor, I watched two children playing in the rain. They were laughing as though they had just been granted the wish of their lives. Most of the time, when I have looked at the world beyond my window, it has appeared to stand still. What is usually harder to see is the yelling, the cursing, the get-out-of-my-way-you-morons frenzy out there.
That Monday, I was observing the world, and it appeared beautiful. I laughed to myself as my secretary walked in with a list of the day’s scheduled interviews. The first candidate was a woman whose music was… completely unexpected. When I received the package that her company had sent over, something prevented me from focusing on the tasks I still had to complete that day, until I had opened it. I get so many music submissions every week, but there was something about her package that was different. It even smelled good — it wasn’t the typical musty warehouse box. This box, well, it smelled like life. Once again, I laughed to myself. Folks will think I’m crazy, I thought. Perhaps all years of interviews and writing had started to unhinge me.
Her CD jacket was so… simple. Clean. I remember having pulled out the enclosed disc and slipping it into the player, closing my eyes. It had touched upon different events in my life, in particular, an argument that had broken out between my girlfriend and me the day before.
The CD had served its purpose. It had caught my attention, and earned its creator a scheduled interview with me.
When Neferfari arrived, she was not the diva I had expected her to be. I had had expectations of an entourage of minions, and had prepared for their arrival by sending my assistant out to purchase the appropriate refreshments for a “celebrity” interview. Perhaps unsurprisingly, however, she was simple and clean too, like the gentle rain.
At first glance, there was something unique about Neferfari (pronounced Neh-fair-far-aye), Nefer being an ancient Kemetic name meaning both “beauty” and “goodness.”
It’s clear that Neferfari is an artist whose music will not simply shimmer in the moment, but will endure for a lifetime. To say that it is food for the soul doesn’t go far enough – it feeds the mind, too.
Our interview began, after a simple hug and a handshake. I handed her a glass of ice water and sat down in my office chair.
Simply Phillip Brown (“SPB”): I have a few targeted questions, which will give listeners a better understanding of you. So, be comfortable; everyone – including myself – just wants to learn about the voice that is behind the music. You ready?
Neferfari: Set, go!
SPB: Your music has a unique sound ; you raised the bar with this particular single. Would you like to share anything about future songs?
Neferfari: I definitely wanted to lead with something that would set a tone, and yet have the courage to set me apart. To me, it’s just good vibes.
SPB: And set you apart, this song truly does.
Neferfari: Since I do have a different style, which to a degree defies genre boundaries, we (the team, or my team) decided to gain and build our fan base by dropping singles before the actual album is released.
SPB: Smart move, especially in this economy.
Neferfari: (Shakes head)
SPB: What is your next single?
Neferfari: The next single will be a digital release with no remixes; it will showcase my solo production. It’s spiritual with a kind of darkish ambient electro – cross hip-hop feel.
SPB: Ooh!
Neferfari: Yes, I’m pulling from different tones in my voice. It’s called “Heaven.”
SPB: Your voice is very rich, and you can tell that it has multiple levels.
Neferfari: Thank you!
SPB: What do you have scheduled next?
Neferfari: Well, after that will be what I call a Conscious EP, title still manifesting (laughs), all the rough tracks are in place though. I’m very excited and challenged on this one; the subject matter will be political, straight-fire from the heart. The voice: Rasta and Soul. The music will be more live, with the team of musicians I work with. As a matter of fact, I’m waiting for the drummer to return from a stint in Japan, and hoping to get Steve “Funkworm” Butler to do an Urban Remix or two. It has Reggae, Dub, Soul-Alternative, and Soul-style approaches. One song has strains of a Native American chant call. And we’re working on getting some dubs edited in of some current political speakers and revolutionaries.
SPB: Sounds like world domination, then the creation process of an album…
(We both laugh)
Neferfari: (Still laughing) After that, the order is still unraveling. “Mad About You” has a sister song, which will come with some surprise remixes, and then there’s the “Bombshell Song” we’ve been sitting on, which might puzzle some people from the other subject matter, but it pretty much stands to be a “dangerous” crossover mainstream and club hit.
SPB: In what direction are you going with this?
Neferfari: It’s a little bit sexual, and a little bit naughty.
SPB: Are your fans ready for that?
Neferfari: Well, all the remixes but one are on this, and it stands to be ignorant. And honestly, that’s exactly what I’m most afraid of.
SPB: You’ve got depth to you that puzzles, yet intrigues, me; you’ve got to tell me a little unknown fact about yourself… Something no one would ever, ever think about you.
Neferfari: (Smiles)
SPB: You can answer at any time. You are being recorded.
Neferfari: That was my answer. (Smiles)
SPB: Alright. (Laughs) We’ll save that for the next interview; don’t be surprised when we get cameras outside your home.
(Both laugh)
Neferfari: I’ve got to watch you; you’re sneaky!
SPB: (Laughing) OK, moving on!
SPB: Michael Jackson tragically passed away recently, and it shocked and rocked the world. Where were you when you heard the news?
Neferfari: Oh man! You kinda caught me off-guard with that one. (Silence) (Exhales) I recall that I was in Brooklyn, and I kept hearing every car going past playing all his songs. So I sat up, and I’m like, what’s going on? You know, I mean every car. Now that’s love and respect.
SPB: Indeed it is, indeed it is. Many stars come and go in this business, it’s amazing, and I interview celebrities one year, only to wonder what happened to them the next. You know, we all know the burdens of life; things don’t always go the way you want them to. When you’re unsure or stressed out, from where do you summon the strength to continue?
Neferfari: The Creator. I have found, and practice, that when the foundation of everything you do, little and big, comes from a root of love and peace, it’s all right.
SPB: Well, that’s it. See, that wasn’t hard, was it?
Neferfari: No, not at all.
SPB: I know you’ve got places to be, so I would like to thank you for your time. I am a huge fan, and I wish you success in everything you do.
Neferfari: (In a soft, hypnotizing voice) Thank you.
SPB: This concludes my interview with upcoming artist Neferfari. Check out her newest single, “Mad about You.” I promise, one listen, and you will become a fan too. Be sure to keep it locked on “Real Talk with Simply Phillip Brown,” where we post fact, never fiction.
My assistant raised a finger, signaling that she had stopped both the digital audio and video recorders.
Walking Ms. Neferfari into our lobby, I looked out and saw a dark silver car that was waiting for her.
It’s said that the right song can be the key to someone’s heart. If that is the case, then Neferari’s “Mad About You” is surely part of the soundtrack of my life.
We need more true artists, like her. We need more music that speaks to our hearts, drawing out our innermost feelings and thoughts, compelling us to give in to our emotions sometimes; we need music that brings much-needed healing, and a long, tucked-away feeling that brings us peace.
I turned around, walking back towards my office, with “Mad about You” softly playing in my head.
Artist Main Site: neferari.com
