Tamika: International Women’s Day is a day to honor all the women all over the world who contribute to society, whether it’s mothers, doctors, scientists, artists, etc. It’s a day of recognition.
Samora: Normally, I would give a very long speech about how important this day is. But today I’m just going to say that the most important thing for me is – today on International Women’s Day – to celebrate this day for myself and celebrate it with women around me. My song “Woman” comes out on Women’s Day, so it is a beautiful moment for me to contribute to International Women’s Day. So, I’m celebrating, and I feel like I’m contributing to it. These are my thoughts about Women’s Day at the moment.
How did the writing process look like?
Samora: I remember starting to write the song with everything that I’ve been through, for example becoming a mother. I got reminded by some other artists who also became mothers and who are also touring that are just going through the same thing I’m going through. So while I was writing this song, the first person that came into my head to collaborate with was definitely Tamika, knowing like indeed, I see her touring like me, you know, but just like for me, lots of people don’t know that we have a kid and we have managed to find a balance in our personal life and private life, being a mother. So, out of all the women that I know around me, I felt the most connected to her to go do this song together. So, this is how the writing process started. I started, then I sent the song to Tamika, and Tamika then wrote her part, that’s how it went.
Which women have inspired you in your life and in your career?
Tamika: Women who have inspired me throughout my life or my career, I would say my greatest inspiration would be my mother. She was the best. And musically, from Billie Holiday to Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, Erikah Badu, Marcia Griffiths, Tanya Stephens, Sade. The list could go on and on. I think we don’t have enough time, but I’m just a fan of honest music and music that speaks to the heart and from the heart…
Samora: I will say lots of women inspired me, especially the women I grew up with. I will start with my sister. I love how creative she is, but definitely on a whole different spectrum. And then my mom. My mom is really a nerd. I mean, she’s still studying. She keeps studying because she knows she has a brain for it, right? So that is also something that really inspires me to see like she found her mojo and her drive… And it’s working! My grandma. I love how unapologetic my grandma would be with her food. Eat whenever she wants… I know that she would really enjoy food, and I’ve also learned cooking from grandma… Yes, but also people that are busy with art. I mean, one of the names I can call is Grace Jones, unapologetic, strong, bold… There are too many women I would have to call but you know, let’s say for now, those that I grew up with, you know, my mom, my sister, my grandma. Those three were constantly around me. So definitely they were an inspiration, because I was always wild and a rebel. I never listened that much. I have learned from my mistakes by just watching them and learning from them.
What advice would you give a woman – or even more so – a young girl today?
Tamika: An advice that I would give to a young girl today would be to follow her in a voice, to stay curious, be kind to herself. I would tell her that it’s okay to make mistakes, because sometimes they’re the best way to grow and to learn. I also try to encourage my daughter to speak up and stand up for herself and yeah, let her voice be heard!
Samora: This year, focus a little bit more on appreciating yourself, because we are all built differently. Someone had wide shoulders, small hips, big hips, small breasts. It is… We are all different, and it is so beautiful, and I noticed that we need to compare less, look less what others have, and look more at what we as a woman have and as what we as a woman are contributing with our beauty, with our presence, with our personality, with who we are. The “you” is enough to inspire people around you. You don’t have to look at someone else and try to be that. It’s super exhausting. So that is definitely the message I want to give. Like focus a little bit more on looking at yourself, loving yourself, and appreciating the things that you have, even the stuff you don’t like about yourself. It’s unique. That is my message.
What does it mean to you personally to be a woman in the sense of the song?
Samora: I mean, I feel proud to be a woman. I love to be a woman. I love my body, I love my hair. I love everything about it. For me to be a woman is just for me to be a walking force, just a walking force to deal with, walking force of energy to deal with, it is unapologetic. It is full of emotions. It goes up, it goes down, and it’s just beautiful. And that is how, you know, I would describe or answer this question the best way…
Will a song like this ever be outdated?
Tamika: For me personally, the message for female rights, justice and equality should never be outdated…
(Photos contributed)