Photo Credit: Charlee Black (@charleeblk)
By Alissa Arunarsirakul // March 25, 2021
Mamii may only be 19 years old, but she’s the latest Indiana talent blessing our airwaves. Refusing to be tied to a single genre, Mamii experiments with avant-garde elements in a way you’d wouldn’t expect in her highly anticipated debut EP, Black Phoeniix. If you haven’t already, we highly suggest you give Black Phoeniix a spin because Mamii will teach you things about our mysterious world you never knew.
On Black Phoeniix, Mamii shared,
“‘Black Phoeniix’ is out now!! It feels so surreal to have this project out. I’ve been working on this since 2019 and it’s finally here.”
To celebrate the release of her new music, we recently chatted with Mamii about Stevie Wonder, authenticity, and of course, Black Phoeniix.
HH: There’s something so refreshing, yet nostalgic, about your music. What inspires your timeless soundscape?
M: Stevie Wonder really inspires me when it comes to all things music. He’s made so much timeless music and I just try to use his “recipe” to try to get a song that’s at least half as good as his.
HH: For those who don’t know, what’s the meaning behind the double “ii” we see in your name and releases?
M: It’s going to sound very cliche but when I’m creating music, I feel like there is another version of me coming out. I feel like another part of me is expressing themselves through the music. The “ii” is just means there’s two versions of me.
HH: From the funky elements in “Creepiin” to the R&B charm in “Evolve,” Black Phoeniix is full of surprises. Do you have a favorite track on the EP?
M: My favorite is probably “Creepiin” or “idk.” Only because it’s a sound that I’ve never heard from myself before.
HH: Your brutally honest songwriting is something your listeners really value. Do you think it’s important for you to maintain this transparency? Does it come naturally to you?
M: Honestly, when I’m writing, I don’t even notice that I’m being transparent until I go back and read what I wrote. It definitely comes naturally because I’m noticing that I just write about what I’ve been through.
HH: Did COVID-19 affect the “Jamie” music video? If it weren’t for the current pandemic, what would the visual look like?
M: Sadly, yes. I actually wanted another person in the video but I didn’t want to put anyone at risk of catching the virus. There definitely would have been some more serious scenes in the video.
HH: Where do you see yourself in five years as a musician?
M: Hopefully on tour!
HH: If you could turn back time and write any hit song, which would it be?
M: “As” by Stevie Wonder. He’s such a genius when it comes to songwriting.
HH: What are your three hidden hits (underrated songs by rising artists)?
M: hrlum – “innerg”
Cisco Swank – “Internal / Eternal”
Denzel Lavell & Jackson Shepard – “Never Can Say Goodbye”
The Hidden Hits 
2 thoughts on “[Q&A] Mamii’s Transparency Comes Naturally in ’Black Phoeniix’”
Comments are closed.