Get ready yâall, Roe is pulling back the curtains and starring in her own show finally and turns out sheâs been there all along. The smooth, R&B, pop baddie has been behind the scenes writing songs for multiple ICONS ranging from our fairy god mother Mary J Blige to emerging goddess Kiana Lede. The effortlessly cool transition probably stems from many things, including her growing up in the culture-soaked streets of Venice Beach, California. Sheâs releasing an EP soon and weâre all excited to get to know her more.
Roeâs latest single âWanna Beâ pays tribute to Brandyâs notorious âI Wanna Be Downâ song. We see where her inspirations lie, and we groove with it. Influenced by the chill, sexy vibes of the original song, we feel it all over the video. From cheeky bedroom phone calls to pulling up to booâs house in a sleek convertible, the video brings all the feels. We got to talk to the LA-based singer-songwriter about growing up in Venice, where she pulls inspiration from, and of course writing âWanna Be.â
Hey Roe, what are you up to today?
Right now, Iâm working my release and trying to balance this new life as a writer and artist. Iâm busy in the studio with City Girls all night and working on my own stuff by day!
I see you were inspired by Brandyâs âI Wanna Be Downâ song. What about the original song inspired you the most?
I think it was just the mood. Itâs so laid back and cool⊠sexy. I love a good sexy vibe. It just felt right when I heard the track. It gave me a feeling of fall and winter. I made the song a year ago and itâs awesome to see it come full circle right back to the same season. I love the soft, fall, cuddle vibe I get when I hear it. Itâs the perfect song for when you have a crush on someone.
I also see in your music video for âWanna Beâ youâve given Brandyâs music video a little nod with the phone scenes on the bed. What was shooting like? How long did it take to finish?
This was about an 8 hour shoot! That shot was actually the directorâs idea. As soon as he heard the record, he sent me a still from her video and said, âWe have to do this shot!â. She looks so flawless and milky chocolate in that video and I wanted to pay homage. One of my favorite writers, Ant Clemons, also plays my love interest in the video, just serving âI want you – you want meâ type of vibes.
Whatâs your song process like? Do you usually come in with a concept or does the concept come in the studio after hearing the music? How did âWanna Beâ come about?
Itâs different every time – for âWanna Beâ, I heard the music first and immediately identified the vibe I wanted to create. Before I went in the booth I just tried to tell this love story. I wrote the verse and pre-chorus first and it set up the momentum for the Brandy hook. It felt right to tell this person – âI wanna be down!â. The music was on and the producer played the track for a whole hour while I just let the beat hit me, going down the list of things I felt when thinking about my love interest!
Do you remember the moment where you knew you wanted to come out from behind the scenes, where you were like ok Iâm ready to write and perform my own stuff now?
Yeah, I do. Thatâs always been a priority for me and I knew I wouldnât be fully fulfilled until I did this. I just like the fact that I got to help other people tell their story for so long. But being an artist has always been where my heart is and what I have been working toward. The right time met opportunity I decided to go for it when James Supreme at UMPG asked me about releasing an EP and I already had one ready to go!
So youâre from the iconic Venice Beach. What was it like growing up there, has it made an impact on your music? Are you still there and how has it changed?
Growing up in Venice definitely influenced my music. Itâs such a melting pot. My melodies are soulful, poppy, moody… you get a bit of everything. As a kid I went to the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club every summer and weâd leave to hit the beach, walk down to Venice and back and soaked up all the culture. Youâd see all kinds from the wealthiest folks to the free spirited homeless people. Itâs definitely changed and becoming more affluent but thereâs still the raw elements with the people walking their dogs and driving lowriders.
Now Iâm in Woodland Hills in the valley, Iâve lived here since my teens. I rep Venice and the 818 equally!
Who are some of your musical inspirations? Who do you pop on when youâre with friends?
My icons â I look to more energetically versus musically. I love mysterious people like The Weekend or Marilyn Monroe. I truly pull inspiration from anywhere. I love thrilling movies with fly things going on in the background when Iâm creating. Think Wolf of Wall Street or Fatal Attraction.
With friends, weâre definitely listening to Drake, Bryson Tiller, and Don Toliver. Brent Faiaz⊠we love. As far as females, I love City Girls, especially when I wanna turn up. But I also love Lana Del Rey. Iâm so all over the place with my music taste but it really just depends on the mood!
What are you thinking about right now?
I know that Iâm releasing my EP very soon⊠Iâm always thinking âHow do I top my first single and this new one?â. I just want people to embrace these creations the same way that I do. Iâm really hoping I impact somebody.
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photos / courtesy of artist
story / Vogue Giambri