IN CONVERSATION WITH ANAIIS

interview by MARIE-PAULINE CESARI

Numéro Netherlands Digital presents: French-Senegalese artist anaiis shares her latest single, Honeydew, from her upcoming mini-album anaiis & Grupo Cosmo, set to release on November 14th in both digital and vinyl formats. The album intricately explores themes of Black identity, motherhood, and the natural world across seven tracks that weave together diverse cultural and musical influences. After the release of her first single Toda Cor featuring Luedji Luna, Honeydew offers a deeply personal reflection on anaiis' journey into motherhood. Collaborations with Brazilian artists Sessa and Luedji Luna further elevate the project, blending Brazilian musical traditions with anaiis' evolving creative vision. Recorded live in an organic and spontaneous process, anaiis & Grupo Cosmo captures a unique moment of personal and artistic transformation for the artist.

Hi anaiis. For our readers who may not be familiar with your work yet, how would you describe your music and style in three words?

What comes to mind are ethereal, dreamy, introspective, heartfelt, sincere, and Black.

Can you tell us what first sparked your passion for music?

I believe the need to create is an inherent part of human existence. For me, making music has always been a natural way to express myself. My mother sang a lot to me as a baby, and maybe that's why, but I’ve never really had dreams of pursuing anything else—at least, not until recently.

Your multicultural upbringing has spanned cities like Toulouse, Dublin, Dakar, Oakland, and London. How has living in such diverse places influenced your musical style?

I recently described it as “constant movement.” There’s always a sense of searching in my music. I’m not interested in recreating the same sounds I’ve heard before—my sound reflects my environment, which is always changing. Maybe that fluidity comes from interacting with different spaces and cultures. The core stays the same, but the shapes are always shifting.

Your upcoming mini-album, anaiis & Grupo Cosmo, was born from a spontaneous, organic process of live recording on an island in Brazil. What drew you to work with Grupo Cosmo and Brazilian artists like Sessa and Luedji Luna? How did this cross-cultural collaboration come to life?

Well, we were recording in a studio, but it was on an island with a nearby beach! I’ve had a deep connection to Brazil since my first visit in 2020. It felt like “home” in a way I hadn’t experienced elsewhere. That longing to feel at home, combined with my love for Brazilian music, inspired me to work with Brazilian artists. Both Sessa and Luedji Luna create music that transcends time. I’m very intuitive in my collaborations, and when I’m moved by something, I act on it. That’s how these collaborations came together.

How did working on this project reflect your personal growth and transformation?

I was entering a new phase in my life—becoming a mother, navigating postpandemic life, and embracing change. The intent and presence we brought to this record made it a mirror of my spiritual, emotional, and creative state at the time. It was deeply transformative.

Throughout your career, you've collaborated with incredible artists like Chronixx, Sjava, and now Luedji Luna. How do these collaborations shape your sound, and what do you look for when choosing who to work with?

I’ve been so fortunate to collaborate with such great artists. There’s always a heart connection—it’s like meeting kindred spirits. Creating together feels like the natural next step. For me, it’s another way of having a conversation. You’ve been commissioned by major cultural institutions and appeared in numerous creative campaigns.

How does your visual artistry inform your music, and how do you merge those worlds in projects like your short film OPENHEARTED?

One of my main goals in creating art is to expand how we perceive Blackness. Music is one medium, and film is another—together, they can deepen or shift perspectives. As a Senegalese woman living outside of Senegal for most of my life, I’ve always sought pieces of home. OPENHEARTED is a love letter to Senegal, a way to say thank you for all it’s given me and what it offers the world.

Your music often touches on themes of Black identity, motherhood, and environmental awareness. How do you balance personal storytelling with important societal narratives in your work?

This is an ongoing process for me. I used to believe the work had to be bigger than me, that I shouldn’t take up too much space. But my last album, this is no longer a dream, taught me the importance of testimony. The personal and societal are deeply connected. I’ve come to embrace that. Recently, I heard Ja’tovia Gary speak about the importance of subjectivity in her work, which reaffirmed my desire to make more space for myself in my art.

The album’s second single, "Honeydew," is a deeply personal exploration of your journey to motherhood. Can you tell us more about how it came together and what you hope listeners take away from it?

"Honeydew" is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written. I love two-part songs, even though we’re in an era of 2-minute tracks. To me, music deserves more—a real journey. The song evolves both thematically and sonically, and I hope listeners get lost in that world for a moment. Lyrically, it’s about the complexity of love and attachment, primarily focused on my connection to my son, but I think it resonates with anyone who’s experienced love.

When you're not creating music or performing, what are some of your favorite hobbies, and how do you like to unwind and recharge?

I’m in love with pottery at the moment, and I’m part of a book club that brings me a lot of joy. But my favorite thing to do is listen to Brazilian music while sitting in the sun.

photographer white outfit ALEXANDRA WAESPI
photographer recording studio ALEX EDEN-SMITH