Kat Harlton
The SOCAN Foundation recently celebrated its second annual Black Canadian Music Awards, which were created to recognize and celebrate the artistic merit demonstrated by Black music creators of any genre. Hundreds of applications from artists across Canada covering a wide variety of musical genres were submitted for consideration, and winners were selected by a jury and advisory council of prominent Black artists and industry leaders.
This year’s winners are Falana, IDMAN, Jon Vinyl, Maurice Moore and Shopé.
Raised in Brampton, Ontario, Falana’s upbringing was sound tracked by a diverse music selection that has shaped her penchant for genre-defiance, soul and pop to R&B and afrobeat. Featured in Vogue, Complex, Earmilk and The New Yorker, Falana stands out not only with her music, but also with stylistic expressions. Falana’s sophomore EP titled Rising is themed around women’s empowerment, disrupting the often-one-dimensional view of women that is constantly portrayed.
We had the opportunity to chat with Falana about her new EP, her creative process, being selected as a winner of this year’s SiriusXM Black Canadian Music Awards and what’s next.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your new EP Rising? Is there an overarching theme?
Falana: Rising started off with me authentically writing from my own experiences and emotions, and it evolved into a women’s empowerment themed EP. I think it landed there organically because I am very passionate about women and girls finding their voices, learning to love themselves and celebrating their resilience and light! So while writing for this project, I was actually rediscovering my own voice, and relearning how to really love myself and I hope these songs can help others do the same!
Kat: What do you hope fans take away from your music?
Falana: I want my fans to listen to my music and feel like they can see themselves in the lyrics and the songs. I want them to vibe or escape! Music does different things for different people, so honestly, I am just happy for fans to take away something positive and connect to the music any way they can.
Kat: What do you find is the most challenging part of your creative process?
Falana: The most challenging part for me sometimes is feeling defeated when I am stuck on a lyric or a song. Sometimes everything flows and I can write a song in ten minutes. Other days it takes a little more sweat and effort, but that’s cool. The key is knowing not to judge any of my ideas and allow myself to just flow and be free when I am creating; because any one idea can lead to another, which can lead to the magic.
Kat: What has been the biggest lesson learned in your career so far?
Falana: The process is everything! I used to focus so much on where I wanted to be as an artist, and my goals for my career. The industry is so outcomes/numbers driven that you can lose touch with why you started doing what you do, or you forget to simply have fun! I am learning to really just enjoy and trust the process, and the lessons along the way.
Kat: How does it feel to have been selected as one of the winners of this year’s SiriusXM Black Canadian Music Awards?
Falana: It feels amazing. It’s humbling and so encouraging to be recognized by your peers and the industry for your talent. It’s not a small deal at all, so I am so grateful for the award and excited for greater heights! Next stop: The Junos! Manifesting it now!
Kat: What’s next?
Falana: Energy, a song off my EP ‘Rising’, has a music video coming out soon which I am really excited about! And I have some new music I also plan to release this year! Watch this space!
Connect With Falana:
Facebook: /falanamusic
Instagram: @falanamusic
Twitter: @falanamusic
Website: http://www.falanamusic.com