Beryniah

South London born, singer-songwriter Beryniah is one of the newest upcoming talent from the hotspot that is Croydon. The 23 year-old has a sound filled with beautifully crafted harmonies and emotionally intelligent lyrics. Her melodies are swollen with R&B vibes and the messages in her songs embody the passion of soul that many will find relatable. We sat down with her to find out a bit more about who Beryniah is and if she is rewinding or fast forwarding that controller

NEO: How long have you been making music?

BERYNIAH:I have been making music seriously and professionally since last year August but I have been singing and performing since I was at least 8 years old. I went to a performing arts high school. Music and performing has always been a part of me even in church. My whole family does music, there's singers, there’s rappers, there’s producers, there’s instrumentalists. Honestly there is everything and everyone you could think of.

NEO: How would you describe your music journey?

BERYNIAH:It's definitely been a rollercoaster. I think because I am a sensitive type of person I tend to take things very deeply. Whether it is good or bad. My highs are really high and my lows are really low but this is only the start of my journey and it has been up and down but it has also been very fun and exciting.

NEO: What is your biggest motivation?

BERYNIAH:Someone actually asked me this recently. My real purpose is people’s relatability to the songs I create and release. For me if there is at least one person saying they really liked my music and appreciate it then i feel like i am accomplishing my mission and my purpose.

NEO: What was the reason behind your latest release?

BERYNIAH:“Pending” was actually produced by my husband and we had been having a lover’s tiff and I was telling him “you make all these great tracks for other people, where are my own ''. So I came home and he gave me some and they were all amazing but then I heard the beat for “pending” and I was like this is giving me Nao vibes and the story came to my head. The scenario i sang about is not something i personally went through but i do think it is something that everyone goes through at some point. You have been in a relationship and you have broken up and you are starting to realise the things you have done wrong and you start to miss them. You miss them so much that you even want to remain friends with them so there is still some sort of connection there.

I wanted to write a breakup song but from a different angle.

NEO: Do you have any special talents apart from music?

BERYNIAH:I think I am quite good at accents and impressions, not that I do them openly to anyone else but to family and friends. I love to do an accent.

NEO: What three words would your friends use to describe you as?

BERYNIAH:Chatty, as you can probably tell. Dramatic and they would probably say i am loyal. Well I hope that is what they would say.

NEO: What is the most daring thing you've done?

BERYNIAH: It’s a bit of a cop out but i would say being myself in this whole music journey. Like i said previously i am at the very early stages but i am definitely trying to intentionally be every single part of who i am. I genuinely try to embody who i am like have my afro out at shoots and things like that. In a society where there is kind of a prototype of a person that is being pushed right now just being myself is pretty daring.

NEO: What are your biggest pet peeves?

BERYNIAH: I don’t like when people aren't genuine. It doesn’t take a lot to lift someone up or just be nice or say something kind instead of putting on a show and being an ugly person for the world or the people around them for the sake of clout or for the sake of feelings. If we were just honest in my opinion we would get a lot further a lot quicker. That is a big pet peeve of mine, please don’t lie to me.

NEO: What is your favourite album of all time, no skips?

BERYNIAH:JoJo- The High Road. Every single song on there is very old but it is what I play every single time in the bathroom. I am singing that album from the beginning to the end in the shower. Also JHus- Big Conspiracy that album is just incredible. Some people are just really blessed with talent.

NEO: If you had a controller that had the power to rewind or fast forward, which one would you press and why?

BERYNIAH:Rewind. It wouldn’t be to change anything. It would only be to change the doubt that i have with myself at that moment and be with myself. And when something really good is happening just to be with myself and take in the happiness and good times more.

NEO: Let us know where to find you on socials

BERYNIAH:@beryniah