Introducing rising international pop superstar…. RIKA

Meet RIKA: the growing global artist who is a must for your playlists in 2024. Emerging from a multicultural Brit-Asian background, her music is rich with culture, heritage, and international influences. Since writing her first song at 9, RIKA was destined to make waves with her cutting-edge pop. 

With an impressive catalogue amassing over 60 million streams, RIKA has not only been featured as The BRITS Sunday Spotlight Artist, but she soared to new heights by clinching the coveted title of Best UK Female Act at the prestigious BritAsia TV Music Awards. RIKA’s incomparable voice, coupled with her charismatic personality, sets her apart as a rising sensation. Her brand new EP, Conversations I’ve Never Had, delves into the realms of truth and heartbreak, solidifying her position as the imminent global superstar. In an interview, we delved into RIKA’s artistic journey, discussed her stylistic lanes and talked about her exciting new collaboration with Jamie Miller.

Hey RIKA, thanks so much for chatting with us! How is your 2024 going so far?

Thanks for having me! My 2024 is going swimmingly so far. I’ve just about spent everyday working on the release of the EP so it’s been very hectic. I edit all the social media content and that is a full time job on it’s own! I also started streaming on Twitch this year (just for fun) and it’s been a blast! Definitely been really go go go, I forget to eat 3 meals some days haha.

Congratulations on the release of your EP Conversations I’ve Never Had – what’s special about this one?

I came up with the title back in May last year. The songs on the EP (and when I write songs in general) are a reflection of my innermost thoughts and are the words I don’t have the courage to say out loud. This EP is my most personal work yet, and I am so excited and a little scared, to be honest, for it to be out there in the world.

This is my first body of work in about 4 years and the 1st one with my amazing team Warner Music India. This EP has taught me so much about myself and has been there for me in the toughest of moments. I’m going through my first-ever break-up right now, and working on this EP has been so cathartic and just a great way to translate all of the emotions in a healthy way. Music has always been that release for me and I’m so grateful for this EP.

The incredible Jamie Miller features on the lead single ‘Long Shot’ – it’s a gorgeous duet! – how did that collaboration come about?

I’ve been a fan of Jamie’s for a long time, we’ve followed each other for a few years. I wrote the song as a male/female duet, you know Jordin Sparks/Chris Brown ‘No Air’ kind of duet, and I just knew he was THE guy for the song. I sent it to him, and he loved it! He vocalled the track I think the same week. He is really talented, and it was such a pleasure working with him! We shot the video in LA, and it was the most amazing time of my life.

You’ve worked with some fantastic talent including Swedish electronic duo Galantis and Jamaican reggae singer Kranium. These are both very different artists, brilliant in their lanes. What did you like about collaborating with them?

If there’s one thing they have in common, apart from having such amazing music, is that they both have so much passion for music. They love music! It was so beautiful creating songs with people who love music as much as I do, they’re just fascinated by how it moves and effects people. Music makes the world go around for real. They have such amazing work ethics as well and are so humble and nice! Just all in all a joy to collaborate with. 

You were selected by social media giant Meta to be part of their 2023 Next Gen Programme. How did it feel to be selected for that alongside other rising talent such as Flowerovlove?

It was the most amazing experience. To be seen by Instagram, one of the biggest social media giants in the game, was so surreal. They invited me to the Barbie Premier which I will never forget, and I met so many other talented musicians from the programme. Their love and support for my music on Instagram itself was so amazing. I am just so grateful to be a part of their family! They are also working alongside me for some extra amazing projects for 2024 as well so watch out for those!

As a British-Indian artist, are there ways you find you integrate your heritage into your music?

For sure! For example in my video with Jamie Miller for Long Shot, I wear traditional Indian jewellery like jhumkas and tikkas in the video. I love crossing over my Western up bringing with my Indian heritage visually, I rock bindis with my jeans all the time! It’s a blessing to be immersed in such rich culture, and I’m proud to show it off whenever I can. I’ve also collaborated with a lot of cool Indian and Punjabi artists in the past as well, and that was such an amazing experience.

Your EP feels super eclectic musically and in terms of style – do you have a favourite track?

For me, it changes every day. My Fellow Showman is my proudest work I’d say. I co-directed the video for that one, and the song/message was so personal to me. I think it really depends on the mood because each has a really specific vibe. I will say I think my least fave right now is All I Need, just because I wrote that when I was in love, which I am now no longer. So it stings a little haha! But a lot of people loved that track and I still believe in love so the song still made it onto the EP! 

Let’s go back to the beginning – when did you know you wanted to make a career out of music?

As cliche as it sounds, I always loved music. I didn’t start speaking until I was 4 years old, but there are videos of me singing along to Barbie Girl by Aqua from when I was like 3 years old. I wrote my first song when I was 9 (albeit it was terrible), and it’s always been a way to connect with my innermost emotions. Performing on stage has always felt like a second home to me. I’m a middle child, so I’m the attention-seeking one, hahaha, so being up on stage with the lights on me always felt natural. But the moment I started songwriting for real, and marveling in the beauty and the art form of writing a song from start to finish, I knew then, when I was 16, that I had to do this for the rest of my life. Music and I have been happily married ever since. 

Do you have any plans to tour or play some shows this year?

I’m doing a live show with Meta/Instagram UK hosted by Benugo in Hyde Park on the 2nd of February, come down if you’re free, you’re invited! 🙂 I have some live shows lined up in the UK and India/Asia as well after the EP is launched. I’m so excited to play this new material live!

What’s next for RIKA?! 

Well, honestly I’m excited to discover what life is like and what I am like now that I’m single again. I’m spending this year rediscovering myself and making music along the way! I hope to end this year with a bigger project out there and some awesome worldwide shows and festivals done. I think this year will be one for the books, I just have a feeling 🙂 Keep up with me on my Instagram, my handle is @rika 🙂 

Make sure to check out RIKA’s latest single with Jamie Miller, Long Shot here or below.