Straight from the heart

East London soul singer Debbie talks collaborating with Wretch 32 and Stormzy and how music is her mouthpiece

- NICK REILLY

For singer Debbie — real name Debbie Ehirim — music has been the ultimate release. “My own music is my truth and it allows me to express myself so unapologetically,” she says. “If I had to describe myself, it would be as an artist that is genuinely just here for the music. I don’t really focus on anything outside of that. Whatever I put out, that’s what is on my mind.”

As “a lover of singing” and music in general, Debbie grew up on a diet of gospel music and song. Artists such as Lauryn Hill allowed the artist to finally discover her calling, leading her to become one of the UK’s hottest musical prospects.

With collaborations with Stormzy under her belt and nods of approval from John Legend and Mahalia, 2023 looks to be hers for the taking. Here, Debbie opens up about her journey.

How's your year been so far?

There's a cool buzz with me and my team because we're working on the next steps, so that's exciting to decide whether I want to do an EP or if I want to put two or three songs out there.

The last we heard from you was the remix of 'Is This Real Love?'. Is that an interpolation of J Hus' 'Did You See' on there? 

It is! I already wrote the song, but after speaking with my label Def Jam, they had the idea of throwing some UK culture in there. I'd been working with Wretch 32 as well, who helped give me a springboard and different ideas of how we can add that UK flavour. Together, we came up with that.

What's it been like working with Wretch 32? He's such a stalwart of British rap.