IN CONVERSATION WITH SAYCHELLYS
Interview by Samo Šajn
Sachellys is a rising star in the UK Latin music scene, blending her Colombian heritage with the vibrant energy of her East London roots. Known for her unique fusion of salsa, R&B, and reggaeton, Sachellys has quickly gained recognition for her vocals and storytelling, breaking barriers as one of the few UK-based Latin artists to achieve national radio airplay. With her highly anticipated debut EP on the horizon and the release of the genre-defying single ‘No Somos Nada,’ Sachellys is carving out a space as one of the most exciting voices in modern music.
How did your shared Colombian heritage and London upbringing influence the creation of ‘No Somos Nada’?
I’ve always had both cultures deeply embedded in my daily life—like having English breaky in the morning and Sancocho for dinner—so that blend will always come naturally in everything I do, whether it’s creative or not. When it came to working on NSN, that cultural mix was really fluid for me; it’s not something I overthink—it just flows, in Spanglish usually!
Because that’s how both of us speak to each other and with our friends. We dip in and out of both languages naturally so that’s what we're gonna do in our music. The fact that everyone involved also shared this, meant the combining of cultures was evident in every aspect.
What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from this track?
The song is essentially about a breakup, so the message is pretty clear, but for me, it carries a sense of power and passion in the way we both deliver our verses. It’s also quite nostalgic, so maybe it takes people to a time in their life or to a toxic relationship which I hope they’ve recovered from! Rather than feeling sad when they listen, I hope the listeners—especially the female listeners—feel empowered, just like I did when recording it.
What does this collaboration represent for the UK Latin music scene?
I’d love for it to represent British-Latin culture and the new sounds we can bring to the world, besides the incredible talent that's emerging over here. I don’t think people know much about us yet and what we can offer. Kiko and I both came here very young and grew up here so we can easily navigate both cultures now, whether that’s merging with the London scene and bringing our Latin touch, or working with new Latin migrants here that are finding their feet in this crazy city.
We are just two of many artists who are often underrepresented, not just musically, but also socially and culturally, in the UK. I believe music is a powerful way to shine a light on our community. My hope is that we can play a part in helping us gain the recognition and value we deserve as a community, both within the UK and beyond.
How did the production team, Esco1sst and DZeus, shape the sound of ‘No Somos Nada’?
Esco was the one who first introduced me to the drill beat and encouraged me to try something new and different, so he played a big role in the creation of this song. He also co-wrote it with me and helped with the vocal production. D-zeus came in to add the finishing touches, handling the final mix and master of the track. I think they were both as passionate about the track, and so we all really worked hard to get it finalised.
Sachellys, you’ve described the song as nostalgic, reminiscent of early London hits like ‘Wifey Riddim’. How does ‘No Somos Nada’ reflect your personal and musical growth?
I think part of an artist's evolution is experimenting with new sounds and genres, which is exactly what I did with NSN. I stepped outside my comfort zone—away from my usual R&B, Afrobeat, and reggaeton—and tried something I never imagined myself doing. Yet it was still natural to me because drill is an evolution of street music in London which is what I grew up on.
I realised that musically I'm diverse and able to adapt easily, kind of like Nelly Furtado who was credible in the range of genres she touched. From the creation process, to strategizing, to getting Kiko on board and shooting the video, I’ve learned a lot about myself. Most importantly, I’ve realized that stepping out of my comfort zone and just “going for it” always leads to something great.
The music video promises to bring the track to life visually. What can fans expect from its release?
Reece, the director, did an amazing job capturing the essence of the song through the colors and set design in each part of the video. I think Kiko and I, with the help of movement director Chino Martinez, also did a great job conveying our emotions on camera. It was such a fun video to shoot!
Can you share any memorable moments from the recording or production process of this track?
A memorable moment was the first session where me and Esco really didn't expect to come out with this idea at all. I remember coming up with the melody for the chorus and then adding the lyrics and we were all just really surprised. Also when I sent it to Kiko to jump on, he got back so quickly with a fire verse! It just created the perfect balance and made so much sense.
