Picture: Hunter Rose
A Glamour Exclusive with up and coming star, Hunter Rose.
Bringing a fresh sound and unique narrative to the international Soul and R&B scene, it’s been inspiring to watch Cape Town based songwriter and performer Hunter Rose climb the charts. Following a trip to Switzerland and her debut TV appearance on Expresso in 2019, 2020 saw Hunter Rose snatch the Apple Music Artist of the Month title in June 2020 and slay a few online performances since.
Enjoy getting to know Hunter Rose a bit more in the exclusive Q&A below.
How would you describe yourself as an artist and individual?
I think they’re very similar to be honest but the artist in me is definitely more deliberate, bold and experimental. On the other hand, I think that the individual in me is more carefree yet meticulous but somehow, they balance each other out nicely and interchange when the environment requires it. I’m starting to love the woman I’m becoming and I look forward to growing into different versions of myself.
In terms of culture and sound which artists do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from many artists from different genres ranging from Diana Ross, whom I adore for her delicate yet glamorous and powerful essence to Nina Simone… A woman I truly admired for her ability to articulate her story effectively and have that translated in her music. She made you feel, want change and more for yourself.
Beyoncé is another big inspiration. She’s hardworking, experimental and really pushes herself and often breaks the mould of what people think she should be. I’m also inspired by Willow Smith and her organic approach and how It allows the listener to feel free, something I always strive for when creating. There are also a range of new artists who I love right now, mostly from the UK R&B Scene but for the most part I’m inspired by women and how they’ve managed to incorporate a range of emotions, culture and storytelling, through their sounds and craft.
Picture: Hunter Ros, by Baz Bailey
Has lockdown and the
Lockdown has influenced how I approach my craft and how often I can sit down to actually write because funny enough I’ve actually been a lot busier than before lockdown but it’s a blessing because I’m very productive and I’m really putting my effort into promoting the work I did before lockdown and when the time comes for me to focus on something new I’ll have the momentum and will to create a new world with new sounds, new themes and topics to explore, which is very exciting!
Was there ever a plan B career wise?
I Studied Journalism and writing was always a passion of mine. But I decided that if music was going to be everything to me, it deserved all of my time and attention. Music was always the plan and I think I denied it because I thought I needed a plan B but I’m grateful for the short space before I decided to do music full time because it sharpened my skills and gave me a different outlook on life. I saw the world differently, interacted with people from all walks of life and discovered how exciting life can be when you’re educated, open minded and worldly.
Tell us about Love & Trust and the inspiration behind the song?
Love & Trust is a song on my latest Debut EP “Love &Trust”.
I named the project after the song because it was so dear to me. It describes my journey with softness, healing, acknowledgement and gentleness something I always want people to feel when listening to my music. It also speaks about my journey as a human being, a woman and an artist up until now and how complex that can be. It’s an ode to self-love and more so, just me honouring my journey. It also serves as a reminder that no matter what, everything will always be okay, as long you’re gentle with yourself and your existence.
Picture: Hunter Rose
Your music has been described as soulful and jazzy, is this how you would describe it as well?
I think that’s a good way to describe it. I’ve been listening to soul and Jazz my entire life and it’s refined to neo soul now and incorporated various genres like hip hop, funk and lo-fi but it’s definitely rooted in soul.
Who is the current go to artists on your playlist?
Giveon, Nasty C, Teyana Taylor, Mahalia and SOOO many other artists haha the list is endless.
What/Who keeps you grounded and focused on your career and personal goals?
I think my family plays a big part when it comes to keeping me grounded. Our conversations are always honest and it inspires me to be a better person and to stay focused. Daily prayer and gratitude also reinforce my goals and intentions as a woman, sister, friend, lover and child of the universe and God. It allows me to see clearly when things get a bit heavy.
How would you describe your personal style?
I would describe my style as minimal, glamorous and casual. I try to match my outfits to my mood and I definitely try to be as appropriate for the event/performance/ day as possible whether it’s a dash out to Clicks or a 10 pm Zoom call.
Picture: Hunter Rose
Who are your style icons? Local and international.
I don’t have particular icons but I’ve always been drawn to old Hollywood Glamour/ Divas from way back when, which include, Whitney Houston and Diana Ross. But more recently, I absolutely love every minimalist feminine influencer/blogger on the planet.
And Last but not least, my mom. She taught me everything I know and is one my greatest influences. One of the best to ever do fashion and life. A Queen. An Icon living.
If you could give 3 key pieces of advice to anyone considering a career in entertainment and music what would it be?
Make a firm decision that this is what you want to do.
Be patient with yourself but work towards your goals every single day.
Start building a team as soon as you can.
Picture: Hunter Rose
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
The release of my debut project has been very special and Touring Europe with my team and producers who have turned into, what now feels like family.
Who would you love to collaborate with one day?
I think a collab with Snoh Aalegra would be cool, now that I’m thinking about it, but any woman in R&B would be a dream.
Picture: Hunter Rose, by Nate Chantrain Alternate Photography
Besides yourself, who are the up and coming artists you think we should be looking out for in 2020?
ANY Woman in R&B right now. we’re doing the most.
What do you enjoy doing with your free time?
Buying and arranging flowers in cute vases, making my space cosy and warm, creating mood boards, scrolling through Tumblr, drinking tea/coffee, cleaning, arranging and overall self-care 😊.
Is there anything South Africa would be surprised to know about you? Any quirks?
I was born in Zimbabwe, I’m left-handed. Apparently being a lefty always gets people excited haha.
Besides music do you have any other passions or talents?
I’m really passionate about photography, I take almost all of my images myself. I’m also passionate about wellness and writing, as well as creative direction so I’m keen to explore that over the next few years.
