Renee Stormz is a Manchester based MC, Producer and Singer-Song Writer. Her style evokes power, nostalgia and grace. Stoic and wise, current and fierce Renee Stormz unapologetically flows with innovative lyricism over soulful hip hop beats.
Renee was born in London and moved to Nigeria when she was 12 years old, later returning to the UK in her later teens. Always surrounded by music, she grew up listening to classical soul and funk music as well as traditional Nigerian music in family settings.
Who inspired you to make music?
Lauryn Hill, Ms Dynamite, Missy Elliot, Fela Kuti, Erkyah Badu, Mos Def, Nas, Ghetts, Kano, Wu Tang Clan, Klashnekoff, and the list goes on and on and on.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
The Internet has impacted the music business in a crazy way. CDs were everything, then digital music came and we never looked back. There is most definitely more of an open market in terms of music, because with the internet music from all over the world now flows everywhere in abundance.
Have you got a ritual of sorts when making music?
In a way I love to get my body loose before I create, whether it’s dancing like crazy around the space before I jump on a beat, or falling into a deeply meditative and focused state when I want to compose a beat.
How would you describe your music?
Fierce, Honest, Timeless, Black, always expanding.
What’s next for you?
A spring of fresh single releases. Working on my first Album. Exciting Collaboration releases also scheduled for this summer with some powerhouse London based artists.
What are your top two favorite songs of all time? Why those songs?
Lauryn Hill – Doo Woop (That Thing): – A writing and performance masterpiece by a legend that outlines the male/female perspective of the time in a way that is honestly genius.
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On:- This song is just so smooth and holds a timeless message. Marvin’s voice brings this healing energy that cannot really be described and whenever I listen to this song even when I’m alone I feel like I’m surrounded by community and an energy of understanding.
What was the last series you watched on TV?
I’ve been watching BMF. 50 cent seems to have that TV series magic sauce.
What do you think the greatest invention has been?
Does the Sun count? That’s some good ish.
If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be?
That’s a tough one, I would ask my future self, do we miss being broke?
If you had to describe yourself as a flavor, what would it be?
Imagine a hot chocolate with a dash of cinnamon and honey. That flavor.
Renee makes her highly anticipated return with her captivating new single ‘All The Smoke’, out everywhere now.
Produced by Nottingham based producer Superbeats, the slick instrumental acts as a perfect soundbite for the unapologetic lyrics of ‘All The Smoke’.
Speaking of the track, Renee says, “The Queen, The Huntress, The mystic and The sage are four of the 7 feminine archetypes explored in the book “Goddesses in Every Woman”. These four archetypes I found deeply ingrained within myself and I wanted to create a song that explored my journey and fundamental parts of my character that gives me that grit to overcome and succeed. I was at a point in my life where my character was being tested. Will I take all the smoke, all the judgement and let it defeat me, or would I stand in my pride, in my power and remember where I come from and why I do what I do. This song is the latter.
I’m really inspired by the early messages in the music of Lauryn Hill, so I wanted to honour that message and add to it. I want the listeners to understand that you can take the heat, whatever people throw at you, remember the journey, embrace your pride and walk through the smoke realising it can’t ever really touch you. I want my listeners to take away that living in their truth and authenticity is the best and only way.”
Stream All The Smoke https://open.spotify.com/album/3pShPQbgiuozXKis1MRdsO?si=Y2L5u-X-SJitVe5R8FuUSQ