Nellie Charles is a magnetic force in today’s R&B scene, weaving raw emotion and relatable experiences into her music. Fresh off the release of her hit single “Boss,” Nellie dives deeper into personal narratives with her latest release, “Rain On Me.”
In this intimate interview, she shares insights into the inspiration drawn from a turbulent past relationship, her approach to the pressures of success, and the anticipated themes of her upcoming EP. Nellie remains true to her roots, drawing inspiration from legends like Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill, while aiming to push the boundaries of R&B both in the UK and globally. With aspirations of collaboration and evolution, Nellie Charles is on a mission to redefine the genre.
Pinch Of Sol: Can you share with us the inspiration behind the song, “Rain On Me,” and what it means to you personally?
Nellie Charles: The inspiration behind ‘Rain On Me’ was really just me expressing my frustrations with a past relationship, it’s me telling the story of a guy playing around with my emotions and making me feel worthless, and my realisation that they’re actually not that great and I’m going to tell them why they’re not that great.
Pinch Of Sol: “Boss” received widespread acclaim and recognition. How does it feel to follow up on that success with “Rain On Me”? Were there any specific challenges or expectations you faced during the creation process?
Nellie Charles: To be honest I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself while making music. I just enjoy making music and use it as a way to share my emotions and feelings. I hope people enjoy what I make and connect with it.
Pinch Of Sol: Could you give us a glimpse into what listeners can expect from your upcoming EP and how “Rain On Me” fits into the overall narrative or theme of the EP?
Nellie Charles: I think this EP just shows all the emotions after the end of a relationship from the beginning to the end, and the healing process that comes with that. I really wrote it for all the lover girls.
Pinch Of Sol: Glastonbury Festival is a monumental event in the music calendar, and you’re set to perform there in June. How are you preparing for such a significant performance, and what are you most looking forward to about the experience?
Nellie Charles: I am really excited to see a big crowd of people, I just can’t wait to see how people react to my music. I love performing and I feel like this is a really good opportunity for me.
Pinch Of Sol: How have the influences like Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill shaped your sound and approach to songwriting, particularly on tracks like “Rain On Me”?
Nellie Charles: It’s the attitude in their lyrics, and their way of expressing their emotions in the music. I could really feel and relate to what they were saying and I just want to make people feel the same.
Pinch Of Sol: In a genre as rich and diverse as R&B, how do you see your music contributing to the ongoing conversation and evolution of the genre?
Nellie Charles: The way my music contributes to R&B is to maybe make it more modern, and to also make people in the UK a bit more open to it, both men and women.
Pinch Of Sol: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals for the future of your music career? Are there any particular milestones or collaborations you’re excited about pursuing?
Nellie Charles: I really want to do some music with some American artists and hopefully some UK artists too. I’ve worked alone a lot of the time and I want to see what working with other artists is like.
