Born and raised in Cologne, Germany, Noraa took her first serious steps in music after moving to Paris. In search for a wider range of cultural and musical diversity, the German-Chadian artist made Paris her new home and created her first songs that would eventually make it on her debut EP “Mixed Feelings” (2019). An emotional 5 song piece that reflects on relationships and belonging. Somewhere between classic singer songwriter, Pop and Rnb, Noraa makes every genre her own by capturing the listener with her silky and soulful voice. Artists such as H.E.R, Lauryn Hill or Frank Ocean can be named as her all time favorites and main influences. After starting her career in France, Noraa eventually came back to Germany and is now based in Berlin. This change of scenery also marks her transition from a major-label artist to being independent. Noraa’s latest EP, “Twenty Two” is her most personal work so far, celebrating her new won freedom, highlighting recent events and thoughts without restrictions. We met with Noraa in Berlin for a live session and discussion about her work.
Your EP “Twenty Two” recently dropped. A profoundly vulnerable body of work. Can you tell us a bit about your experience developing the project and its impact on you?
Twenty Two is my first independent project. I wanted it to to be as real and personal as possible, since I’ve had to compromise quite a lot if it comes to music releases in the past. I really just went to the studio thinking: I want to make a song that I’d like to listen to. So I gathered some of my favorite collaborators and started just jamming around, not knowing which songs would finally make the cut in the end. Which was quite liberating because I was just going with the flow of the music we’ve created during that time.
“Matter of Time”, is a beautiful piece of reflection, and the melancholy often felt when reminiscing about better times. You mention being inspired by the likes of Janette Jackson, Sade and Aaliyah. Can you speak on the importance and influence of these artists in developing this song?
First of all I want so say that melancholy is something very beautiful to me. I love the bittersweet feeling of looking back, thinking of the good and the bad times that led to the woman I am today.
And yes, artists like Janet Jackson or Aaliyah deeply shaped me and my understanding of music. I love the Melodie’s and the effortlessness of these women. It’s not about showing your whole vocal range in every song. It’s about transmitting a feeling and that in a very sensual way. When my friend and collaborator deathbypeanuts played the first chords of the song, I knew exactly that it had to go in that kind of early 90s vintage RnB direction.
You have made the transition from working with a Major Label, to being an independent artist. What has the experience been like for you?
Definitely challenging in many ways. There’s a certain comfort that comes with being signed to a major label. You can focus on music and creation in general without going far into the business side of it. I am an artist and I’m not great with paperwork or finance stuff in general. So adding this huge part to the creative aspects of my job made me question my decision for a second.
But the positive outcomes of being independent are way bigger than that to be honest. The freedom that comes with no label is something I really enjoy. I’ve really learned to trust my own gut feeling, whether something is good or needs improvement during the creation of my EP. I am also a Little proud of myself because I’ve managed to learn a lot during the 2022. Today I would say I am a more accomplished artist.
What’s in store for you in the new year, any big plans?
My main focus for 2023 will be songwriting. Mainly for other artists though, because I will need some time to find a new concept for my next project I guess.
I’ve just released my new EP so this will have to be enough from my side for a little bit, but as long as I’m in the studio I’m happy anyways.
