WORDS: HENRY OWENS

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHAMAAL BLOODMAN

“Can you feel my emotions through my transparency?” SoFaygo asks on the opener for his new album Pink Heartz. The prompt pulsates through his heartfelt crooning, accompanied by sombre piano chords. It’s not the introduction you’d expect from the prospect who popped off with energetic hits like "Knock Knock" and "Off The Map," but the Atlanta alien wants you to feel that way.

Pink Heartz is SoFaygo’s pursuit of the bigger picture. It isn’t about capitalising on a current trend or rehashing the formula that got him to the spot he’s in today. Instead, he invites us into his inner world and guides us on a journey through the landscapes of his emotions. This new direction showcases the depth and range of his artistic expression.

Sonically, the album explores a variety of styles, from relaxed, dreamy trap beats to moments of psychedelic R&B. SoFaygo's distinct vocals and catchy melodies guide the listener through this diverse sonic landscape.

Right from the intro, Pink Heartz establishes itself as a time capsule, capturing the growth and development of SoFaygo as both an artist and a person. Throughout the album, he offers glimpses into his personal evolution and growth. During our conversation, SoFaygo discussed his experiences with vulnerability, the changes he has made to his creative process, and his long-term goals as an artist.

**Congratulations on the release of Pink Heartz. How have you been feeling with it out?**

I’ve been feeling good, bro. I’ve felt really excited about this album. Everything we’ve been working on has led us to this album. So right now, I’m eager to see what comes next.

It feels like you reached the next level in your artistry with this album. What do you attribute that to?

I think it was time to reach that next milestone in my career. This project doesn’t sound like anything else I’ve ever done. In order to get to the next level I think you just have to really make sure that you know yourself. You need to know what you used to do—or the sound you previously tapped into—and make a conscious decision to upgrade. You have to add to it in order to make it different from what it used to be.

Did the creative process differ for this album?

For sure. When creating my past projects, it would just be me, my thoughts, and FruityLoops in the room. For this one, I had to really go out and collaborate with people. It’s a different energy when there’s a bunch of people in the room, and we’re all being creative and are tapped into the same vision. This album is also my first project where I’ve worked on the whole thing with an engineer. We worked with one a little bit on After Me, but for this one, it helped me build on my sound a lot more.

“It’s all about wearing your heart on your sleeve. That’s what Pink Heartz is about. It’s the goal of being yourself no matter what and standing regardless of what the trends are or what’s going on in the world. It’s about creating your own world.”

The album starts with ‘Transparency’, which is somewhat of a shock opener because it’s very ballad-like and vulnerable. Was it nerve-wracking making that song?

That was actually the one song for this project that I wrote and engineered by myself because it’s a personal record. I was just trying to speak my mind on that song, and really capture the fact that it’s me in my room with my thoughts and a beat. I wouldn’t necessarily say it was nerve-wracking, though, because I don’t really hold myself to a specific standard of how I’m supposed to be. I’m comfortable being open because I know who I am.

On that track’s hook, you sing “Can’t go back to the old me.” How do you think you’ve changed?

I’m doing things differently now. It’s a completely different lifestyle compared to how I used to live. I’m learning a lot about the business and the music industry in general. It’s way more strategic than it used to be. It used to just be me in my room or with my friends, trying to get as much music and content out as possible. Now, I think way more about the brand, what I stand for, and what all of this really means.

What does it mean to you right now?

It’s all about wearing your heart on your sleeve. That’s what Pink Heartz is about. It’s the goal of being yourself no matter what and standing regardless of what the trends are or what’s going on in the world. It’s about creating your own world.

You get a lot of feelings out on this album. Is there a sense of contentment after achieving that?

I definitely feel like I’ve unlocked a whole new drive for this shit after getting out all of these emotions that I’ve held onto for years. I think it also comes from the fact that my fans can now understand more of who I am. I feel like I’m heading in a new direction, but that’s all I can say about that for now.

With a renewed drive and a different direction, do you think the destination has changed?

I think the destination has remained the same. I wouldn’t change anything I’ve done in the past few years, because if I had, the destination might have changed; all of this happened for a reason. Even if the destination has switched, I’m trusting in god, and myself, and continuing to stay authentic.

“I think it was time to reach that next milestone in my career. This project doesn’t sound like anything else I’ve ever done. In order to get to the next level I think you just have to really make sure that you know yourself. You need to know what you used to do, or the sound you previously tapped into, and make a conscious decision to upgrade.”

With a new direction, you experience new things. What do you think you discovered about this route while making Pink Heartz?

I learned that it’s about not rushing the process. I knew what the goal was from the start, but I would often get in my way. There were times that I just wanted to put this out right away. I had to realise that it isn’t about what’s happening at the moment, but about where I see myself in the next 5 or 10 years. I need something that the future me can continue building on, as opposed to just trying to chase a trend. A trend can be here today and gone tomorrow.

You seem to be someone who is always preparing for the next opportunity. What are some things you want to pursue outside of music?

I’d like to stream, and get more into the gaming community. I’d like to get into fashion, starting my own clothing line and potentially dropping a little jewellery collection. I think one day I’m going to get into movie production as well. There are so many things I want to try out, and we’re only at the start.

Lastly, you’ve talked about how this album is about wearing your heart on your sleeve. How do you prevent it from falling off, and losing love for this journey?

You just have to not think about it. You need to avoid the little shit getting to you, and focus on the bigger picture. That’s the one thing I’ve learned, and I hope others do as well.

WORDS: HENRY OWENS

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHAMAAL BLOODMAN

Sonically, the album explores a variety of styles, from relaxed, dreamy trap beats to moments of psychedelic R&B. SoFaygo's distinct vocals and catchy melodies guide the listener through this diverse sonic landscape.

**Congratulations on the release of Pink Heartz. How have you been feeling with it out?**

I’ve been feeling good, bro. I’ve felt really excited about this album. Everything we’ve been working on has led us to this album. So right now, I’m eager to see what comes next.

It feels like you reached the next level in your artistry with this album. What do you attribute that to?

Did the creative process differ for this album?

The album starts with ‘Transparency’, which is somewhat of a shock opener because it’s very ballad-like and vulnerable. Was it nerve-wracking making that song?

On that track’s hook, you sing “Can’t go back to the old me.” How do you think you’ve changed?

What does it mean to you right now?

It’s all about wearing your heart on your sleeve. That’s what Pink Heartz is about. It’s the goal of being yourself no matter what and standing regardless of what the trends are or what’s going on in the world. It’s about creating your own world.

You get a lot of feelings out on this album. Is there a sense of contentment after achieving that?

With a renewed drive and a different direction, do you think the destination has changed?

With a new direction, you experience new things. What do you think you discovered about this route while making Pink Heartz?

You seem to be someone who is always preparing for the next opportunity. What are some things you want to pursue outside of music?

Lastly, you’ve talked about how this album is about wearing your heart on your sleeve. How do you prevent it from falling off, and losing love for this journey?

You just have to not think about it. You need to avoid the little shit getting to you, and focus on the bigger picture. That’s the one thing I’ve learned, and I hope others do as well.

Follow SoFaygo here for more

WORDS: HENRY OWENS

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHAMAAL BLOODMAN

STYLIST: METTA CONCHETTA

Stream the new album 'Pink Heartz' here