South London star Layyah is stepping into a bold new chapter with Layers to Layyah Pt 1, blending RnB, rap and Afrofusion with raw honesty and soulful energy. Fresh from winning The Rap Game UK, she opens up about growth, vulnerability, empowerment and working with Nadia Rose, Mimi Mxnroe and Wohdee.

1. Layers to Layyah Pt 1 feels personal from the jump, what sides of you are we really getting to meet on this project

Layers to Layyah Pt. 1 is really me peeling everything back. People always see the confident side, the artist side, but this project lets people meet me on a deeper level — the vulnerable side, the emotional side, the healing side. It’s me learning myself while letting listeners learn me too.

2. Your sound moves between RnB rap and Afrofusion so smoothly, what inspired that blend for this EP

I grew up listening to so many different sounds, from R&B to rap to Afrobeats, and I never wanted to box myself in creatively. I love melody, I love bars, I love rhythm, so blending them together just feels natural to who I am. This EP represents all the different influences that shaped me.

3. You made history winning The Rap Game UK, how did that moment change your mindset and your approach to music

Winning The Rap Game UK changed my mindset. It showed me that I belonged in this space and gave me confidence in my ability. But it also taught me that the work really starts after the win. Since then, I’ve been focused on growth, consistency and becoming a complete artist, not just a rapper. And honestly, without my team, some days are hard. Having people around me that believe in me and push me makes a huge difference.

4. Your lyrics always hit with honesty, how do you choose which parts of your story to open up about

I think honesty is what makes music connect. I never force vulnerability; it usually comes from whatever I’m genuinely going through at that moment. Sometimes a song becomes therapy without me even realising it. If it’s something I know somebody else might relate to or heal from, I’m more willing to open up about it.

5. You have been open about real life struggles, how has music helped you turn pain into power

Music gave me somewhere to place emotions I didn’t always know how to express. Instead of letting pain consume me, I learned how to create from it. A lot of my strength came from turning difficult moments into motivation and purpose. That’s why I say music really saved me in a lot of ways.

6. Empowerment runs through your music, what does that word mean to you right now

Empowerment right now means freedom, freedom to be myself fully, to own my story, and to not shrink for anybody. It’s also about inspiring other young women to feel confident in who they are, flaws and all.

7. From Respect and Power to Passenger Side and now this EP, how do you feel your sound has evolved

I think my sound has become more fearless and more intentional. Earlier on, I was still discovering myself as an artist, but now I’m more comfortable experimenting and showing different layers of my voice and emotions. This EP feels more mature and more complete.

8. You have Nadia Rose and Mimi Mxnroe on the project, what was the vibe like working with each of them

Working with Wohdee, Nadia Rose and Mimi Mxnroe was such a vibe because everybody brought their own energy. Nadia brought confidence and experience and Mimi added emotion and soul. It felt natural rather than forced, which is always important to me creatively.

9. When you are creating do you start with the melody or the bars, or does it all just flow naturally

It honestly depends on the mood. Sometimes I hear a melody first, sometimes the bars come instantly, and other times it all flows together naturally. I try not to overthink the process too much because the best music usually comes from feeling rather than forcing.

10. Your pen is sharp, but your vocals are soulful too, which side of Layyah do you tap into first when you step in the booth

I think emotionally I tap into the soulful side first because that’s where the feeling comes from. But the rapper in me is always there too. I love being able to balance vulnerability with confidence because that’s who I am as a person.

11. The listening party looked like a moment, what was going through your mind hearing the project with a live crowd

The listening party was emotional for me because as an artist you always wonder how people are going to receive your music. So hearing the reactions and seeing people connect with the songs made me feel really pleased and honestly relieved as well. It reminded me why I trust my process.

12. South London has a strong musical identity, how has your environment shaped your sound and your story

South London shaped me. The culture, the energy, the diversity, the struggles, all of that comes through in my music. Growing up there taught me resilience and gave me stories to tell.

13. Is there a track on the EP that felt the most vulnerable for you to make

There’s definitely a track on the EP that pushed me emotionally because I had to revisit feelings I’d tried to bury. I think listeners will probably be able to figure out which one it is because you can hear the vulnerability in my voice. Those are usually the hardest songs to make, but they often become the most meaningful too.

14. For anyone hearing you for the first time, what do you want them to feel after listening to Layers to Layyah Pt 1

Don’t box yourself in. It’s hard in this industry and in life in general, but you need confidence and people around you that believe in you or more importantly, believe in your process. Everybody’s journey looks different, and sometimes the things that make you different are the things that make you stand out.

15. This feels like the start of something bigger, what can we expect from the next layer of Layyah

This is only the beginning. Maybe this is my sequel of moments. I’m evolving not just musically but personally too, and I think people are really going to hear that in what’s coming next.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: LAYYAH