Halima makes club music to heal to
The Brooklyn-based artist shares photos and answers FADER’s questionnaire ahead of the release of her debut album SWEET TOOTH.
The Opener is The FADER’s short-form profile series of casual conversations with exciting new artists.
SWEET TOOTH, the debut full-length by Halima, is structured like a long night out. Starting out with moments of tranquility and peace, the tension slowly climbs as spectral ballads give way to sleek club bangers that mix Afro-futurism with '90s R&B nostalgia.
The singer, who was raised between Lagos and London, dives into feelings of yearning, metamorphosis, and finding self-worth amid period of personal struggle. Songs like the sensual and boppy"eau de vie" provide a blueprint on being vulnerable without having to surrender power.
To celebrate the upcoming album, due out on September 19, Halima threw a party at Damballa in Brooklyn. "It was the launch of a party series I am calling Club Cocoa (after the song "cocoa body")" she explains. "I wasn’t sure what to expect. But the room was filled with beautiful club sirens, I felt like I was home." See exclusive photos from the night below.
Ahead of SWEET TOOTH's arrival, we checked in with Halima about her earliest musical memories, the advice she swears by, the astrology meme she loves, and more.
What’s your sun, moon, and rising sign, and which is the most accurate?
I feel lowkey like a witch. I’m a scorpio sun, gemini moon and capricorn rising. I identify with all three. I feel a great deal, the feelings rarely settle, just kept in holding til I write a song.
Give a short review of the last movie you watched
Muppets From Space lol. My girlfriend, Honey Bun, is obsessed with the muppets and there was a screening at this cute book store in Brooklyn called Dear Friend Books. I almost cried at the end, it’s a really beautiful story about identity, friendship, and chosen family.
<B>Describe the first show you ever went to</b>
My first show was a festival. Latitude in 2015. I was 18 which is crazy. I’d been to outdoor concerts before as a kid growing up in Lagos but never to a concert where I'd bought the tickets. It was my first experience of being star struck. I saw Lianne La Havas, Leon Bridges, and Izzy Bizu, it’s one of those days you remember forever.
<b>What’s your favorite song to play live right now and why?</b>
I’ve been teasing some unreleased songs from my upcoming album <i>SWEET TOOTH</i> and it’s been so fun to see what people gravitate to. A favourite so far has been "oops" which is this cheeky U.K. Garage track. But I'd have to say the best one to play live is "cocoa body." Having dancers on stage with me is a wild full circle moment. My first performance on stage was a dance recital. It feels like an homage to my little four-year-old self. Huge shout out to Roy Garzon and Jordan Kaya, they always have me moving right.
<b>What was the last creative idea you had that made you ask, ‘Can we do that’? </b>
As a Gemini moon, it happens often so I’m lucky I get to work with incredibly creative people. The most recent one came from working on the ‘eau de vie’ video. ‘eau de vie’ means “water of life”, so of course I wanted water in the video. We debated shooting me in a water tank but everything felt too expensive or too flat. So I asked Alex (the director, 3D rendering genius) if we could render the world we were trying to find in real life. And he made that shit happen.
What’s the best thing you’ve bought yourself recently and why?
I bought myself a pair of Telfar shorts, I’ve been activated ever since.
<b>What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?</b>
My grandma would always say “it takes 99% hard work, 1% genius, Halima”. The phrase comes from the Einstein quote “Genius is 1% talent and 99% hard work”.
<b>And the worst?</b>
"Always have a plan B”