PREMIERE: OURAA - The Promise (Single) + 10 Questions

Singer-songwriter OURAA kicks off 2024 with a brand new track entitled ‘The Promise’. Streaming on all major platforms on the 4th April . With this sound OURAA continues to demonstrate her versatility with a faster beat, while still maintaining a strong soulful message within her lyrics, which has been present throughout her career so far.

OURAA collaborates with Abbey Road alumna Rebecca Le Montais on this latest release, of which she helped create a mix of soft D&B and dance production alongside OURAA’s incredible vocals.

Since releasing her previous two singles alongside securing a major feature on the latest Nines album in late 2023, OURAA has continued to grow her fanbase with her vibrant content and has since been supported on BBC radio London as one to watch for the future.

Born and raised in South East London, OURAA is a music artist with a sound led by inspiration across R&B, gospel and alternative soul. Since supplying vocals to artists such as Beverly Knight and Justin Timberlake, OURAA's huge melting pot of influencers sees her create a diverse range of music. OURAA’s natural stage presence is notable for her conversational and interactive style, often leaving audience members singing along to original tracks they’d not known before. With such a colourful, orange dominated brand of musicianship it’s difficult not to be in awe of her unique artistry.

OURAA sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

Growing up I struggled in most classes bar the creative ones, such as design tech and music. Music is where I was getting the best grades and where I felt most at home. My mum also sings, and at the time sang for her local church. I loved how everyone would sing together, and worship there was something so powerful and beautiful (feeling God’s holy presence). With time, I started asking to dress in the choir’s colour theme and sing with them from the early ages of 5 and I would always look forward to being able to minister with everyone and sing!

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

I take a lot of influence from artists like Robert Glasper. The way he is so intentional about his instrumentation is really intriguing and I love singing along to his chord progressions especially because it’s jazz. It's fun to not know where the sequence will go next but will still sing improvised melody’s to make it still make sense melodically. Jazmin Sullivan I think I took without realising how a lot of her songs almost feel as though she is telling a story and majority of my music is almost conversational.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

I still have my next EP coming out this year that links to singles ‘Just Breathe’ and ‘BEDBUGZ’ which is going to showcase a lot more of my vulnerable side that I’m only just starting to reveal, which can be a bit scary, but I’m also excited to release them into the universe. Also, this year I’m more on the energy of features and working with other artists writing and singing to genres I wouldn’t normally think to do.

4. How would you describe your sound?

I’ve always said that my sound gives off pick ‘n’ mix. I take things from multiple genres and mix it all together.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Having the opportunity to feature on rapper Nines’ recent album ‘Crop Circle 3’ on the song ‘Only One’ has really been one of the proudest moments as an artist. Being blessed with that opportunity at such an early stage of my career was really a true honour.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

I would say don’t expect everything to happen for you as soon as you decide to take that bold step into the music scene. Rome wasn’t built in a day; it will take time to achieve the goals you have set out for yourself and that’s okay. Everyone’s journey is different. Please remember to always every now and then to reflect and see how far you’ve come.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

Absolutely love my girl LULU killing the game at the moment and it’s really lovely to see her soaring in the music scene. I also really like Sylvie. Her voice gives me out of this universe feels, very magical almost outer body experience.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

I haven’t been an album babe for YEARS... The last album I used to wax off was an album by Kehlani called ‘SweetSexySavage (Deluxe)’ released in 2017. Currently I’m really loving making my own playlists, discovering singles and making my own little concoction of songs.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I love to rest and watch American reality TV (Real Housewives & Married to Medicine) because music can be very overwhelming in it’s moments, sometimes you just need to switch off completely and have a moment to recharge.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Water - stay hydrated Snacks - ya girl gets hungry iPad - to write music, get the vibes flowing