NEXTSTOP MILTON KEYNES: 'Chiyah’s Time Capsule'

“Putting people in one box, I hate that sh*t…”

- Chiyah

Chiyah is an underground artist from Milton Keynes - expressing herself In the Trapsoul genre. In 2018 she released her debut single titled Be Okay - and with one track after the next, she has proven her intention to stay.

I met with her at the London College of Contemporary Music, where she studies Commercial Music and Performance. Speaking about her music career, and her ambition to do it the best way she can - our talk turned to - why she does what she does.

Like many before her who have danced on the same path she is on, Chiyah has been confronted with stereotypes - among which - is the tiresome and stale stereotype of the “strong black female”.

The laziest label ever thought up by our community.

She hopes that through her music - which she describes as raw, soulful, and unique - she can showcase all the moods that are capable of a melanin girl like herself - and maybe inspire the same freedom in others - with a choice of sound that can be strong, but when it wants - be soft, vulnerable and sweet. And In my heart I say, more power to her elbow.

In the meantime, to provide you with a look at the possessions she holds timeless at this stage in her music evolution - I asked her to pick 3 items of personal effect to be buried in a time capsule for the next 100 years. Here are the 3 items she’s chosen - and what each one represents. In her own words.