Shelby x Ama Penn

Q1. We love what you wrote for this month’s issue of the zine on radical self-love. Could you share a little overview of this and talk us through your process?

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it. The idea from the article was sparked by having a series of conversations with multiple people in which I expressed my feelings towards the situation in the anecdote I opened with. 

“ Now, from as young as I can remember dressing up has always been one of my favorite pass times, but as I approach 30 I’ve found that I take much less pleasure in being a spectacle... “

Snippet from Ama Penn’s article ‘Reclaim the Sex’ in Issue 2 of the zine

When You asked me to write a piece on the subject I did a lot of research into the sex work industry predominantly, though it’s not referred to a lot in the text itself, it was a significant influence in constructing my message. It’s actually questionable to use the term message, as I wanted to provoke thought and have men, or people who are unfamiliar with the experience of street harassment, be able to empathise.

Q2. You have an amazing ability with writing. What are the differences or similarities between writing song lyrics and writing something like the piece you wrote for the zine?

Whenever I sit to write 8 times out of 10 I initiate by defining/clarifying what I am trying to evoke from the reader. The genesis of my lyrics and music is variable, sometimes I start with lyrics on paper, no melody, sometimes I write to instrumentals, there is no rhyme or reason to it. I guess the biggest difference if we look at the article and my single as examples, the lyrics to that song are heavily suggestive but still allow the imagination room to engage. 

When writing an article there’s more room to elaborate on points as one is not constricted to rhyme, schemes and tempos. I guess we could even ask a question about why we could not write songs as articles/essays? 

Q4. You’ve made a real range of music, what direction do you feel it’s going in right now and what have been some of the biggest influences on your work? 

Urban commercial is what I’m leaning towards at the moment, but I have a project brewing to showcase my versatility with styles and genres. I’ve never had the desire to commit to one sound. 

Q5. What’s coming up that people should look out for?

Single (Keep Me Warm) / video, EP

Q6. If you could collaborate with anyone (dead or alive), who would it be? 

Wretch 32, Marily Monroe, The Civil Wars, Gwen Stefani, Missy Elliot, Quentin Tarantino, Ms Banks, Sizzla, Eminem, Pharrel, J.cole, Ms. Hill, Jojo, Snoop Dogg, Gabi’el, Cover Drive; I could go on …

Q7. Where can people find/buy/commission more of your work?

Instagram / amapenn7@gmail.com

Website coming soon.