Artist Spotlight: Rmarni

Flying the flag for the Midlands high and proud, Rmarni is one of the hottest newcomers in UK R&B. 

The Dudley singer/songwriter has so far released two stunning tracks; her debut snapshot ‘So High’ was followed by the distinguished ‘Back & Forth’. Despite her lack of releases so far, Rmarni has already garnered acclaim from an array of tastemakers and listeners alike, with her unapologetic, anthemic strand of R&B a crowd pleasing and bold approach. Through her vibrant and expansive soundscapes, Rmarni upholds the kind of sonic vitality that can inspired and provoke its listener. 

I connected with the future superstar to chat about her Midlands roots, plans for expanding her sound, and her musical ambitions. 

Who are you influenced by? 

I would have to say, Whitney, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Aaliyah, early 90s R&B & Sza. 

When and how did you begin your journey as a musician?

I think my musical journey started as a child growing up listening to artists like Whitney Houston, I would always be singing with my cousins in the house. We would be singing along seeing who can hold those big notes for the longest. 

There is a real proud, unapologetically feminine energy that surrounds you and your music. How important is pushing this energy to you?

I think it’s really important. I think pushing that energy helps others to be confident in what they do. Don’t get me wrong it’s not like that all the time but what I want to show is that it’s ok to be proud and to have confidence in whatever it is that you do. Now I’m not perfect and I’m not always full of confidence but that’s ok as well. It’s ok to have good days and bad days. We are human at the end of the day. 

In such a condensed and eclectic R&B scene, how do you plan on standing out?

I think the music stands out. My songs are things I’ve gone through. Each song is almost a different personality, I think every artist in the R&B scene is representing the scene well and stands out within their own right it’s good to see the scene flourishing the way it is. 

Your sound is really vibrant and expressive, and also commercially friendly. Do you see yourself as a mainstream artist or someone who leans more towards the underground?

I don’t really lean one way or the other. I go in the studio and it just comes out. I think every artist wants to have commercial success but when I’m writing or recording the aim is to just make the best music possible. 

From a fellow West Midlands native, how do you feel about the local R&B and rap scenes?

I feel like the Midlands scene is in a good place there are so many different artists established and new artists so I think it’s at a good place and will only get better with support coming from outside the Midlands from platforms like this. 

Is there anyone standing out from Brum for you at the moment?

Well there’s this girl from Dudley called Rmarni I’ve heard she’s really good!

Do you think the Midlands has the range and ability to reach the popularity of the London scene?

I think so. It’s all about opportunity. There are so many artists that don’t know how to be heard even in today’s age of YouTube. So I think the more platforms and stations that champion music from outside of London the better it is for artists and improving the popularity of artists outside of London. 

There is a really nostalgic side to you, and your music is a bit of a throwback to the R&B of the past. Do you think that the sound can reach the heights that I did in the 90s and 00s?

I love 90’s & 00’s RnB if you look at the music today a lot of artists go back remake a lot of those songs. I think RnB has shown that it can reach heights with chart topping albums that have dropped over the last few years. 

I’d loved both your singles that have been released so far, and they are stylistically quite similar. Do you plan on building from that style to enhance and reaffirm it as your sound?

I have so much more to come. My first single So High was more of a laid back R&B song where as Back and Forth was more of an Afro vibe but still with the RnB approach so for my EP I build on that. You will see R&B as the foundation but there’s different sounds/styles on my EP which I can’t wait for you to hear. 

Talk me through the ideas behind ‘Back and Forth’?

Back and Forth is a conversation between a girl and a guy at say 3 am. Instead of the guy calling you a girl at 3 am I wanted to flip it and show that it’s ok for a girl to call a guy over, it’s something that happens and that’s ok. Sometimes as women we might have to make that call. 

Who would you love to collaborate with?

I think it would have to be Drake. If I had to choose one. 

What’s next for you? Album? EP? Live shows?

So I’ve just finished my EP so I’ll be releasing another single and my EP will drop as well. So I can’t wait for that. Hopefully 2022 I’ll be doing live shows. We’ve been preparing for that with rehearsals and getting things ready so I can’t wait to hit the stage!