South-East London artist IAMKALECE has returned with TIME, a deeply personal and sonically rich single that captures her evolution as a musician and storyteller.

Blending classic R&B with modern, psychedelic-infused elements, IAMKALECE reflects on the dualities of urgency and patience, vulnerability and strength, and nostalgia and forward motion. In this exclusive interview, she shares the inspiration behind TIME, the influence of her multicultural roots, and her vision for this transformative chapter in her career.

Nicolle: What inspired the narrative behind 'TIME,' and how does it reflect your personal journey as an artist? 

IAMKALECE: The narrative was Inspired by the freedom to express my fears of reaching my dreams and feeling behind with reaching them but allowing myself the space to be honest. As an artist, I had previously struggled to be fully transparent and time is a reflection of me deciding to allow myself to not feel like I have to create perfectly. It's the realisation that I just have to be honest and consistent.

Nicolle: After four years since your debut EP, 'Diamonds & Dirt,' how does ‘TIME’ represent your growth as a musician and storyteller? 

IAMKALECE:  Time is a true introduction to the transparency that can be expected from me as an artist, I feel that I’ve grown with the freedom to be vulnerable whilst creating “time”.

Nicolle: You’ve mentioned feeling a sense of urgency to achieve your goals while also valuing patience. How did this duality influence the creative process for ‘TIME’?

IAMKALECE:  I would say the influence of those emotions was reflected in my choice of words/the writing process and also in the fact that I didn’t want to overcomplicate what I had to say but just wanted to be honest.

Nicolle: The single blends classic R&B with modern, psychedelic-infused elements. Can you share more about how you developed this unique sound for ‘TIME’? 

IAMKALECE: The uniqueness of the production came from a natural flow created by DemDrums, initially in the first instance I played a track that had clear punchy, kick, snare and warm bass as a reference. I knew that I wanted to make something different and I’m glad DemDrums was able to complement that sound in production.

Nicolle: With influences like Alicia Keys and Ms. Lauryn Hill, how have these artists shaped your music, particularly in this new era? 

IAMKALECE: I think it would be their use of words and an unapologetic approach vocally that has the most influence. I can see the bravery in their creativity as artists which has inspired me overall to stop holding back on what I need to say.

Nicolle: Your multicultural upbringing in South-East London clearly informs your sound. How do Jamaican, Bajan, and Irish cultures manifest in ‘TIME’? 

IAMKALECE: They manifest through the directness of how I write and what I decided to express lyrically I would say.

Nicolle: You’ve described 'TIME' as both nostalgic and forward-moving. What emotions or experiences were you hoping to evoke in listeners with this track? 

IAMKALECE: I was hoping that listeners would be able to relate to feeling behind but also be inspired to move forward with their goals and dreams, there is more to discover about our potential than we realise, especially as creatives.

Nicolle: As a multi-instrumentalist and producer, how does having full creative control impact the way you approach your music? 

IAMKALECE: Massively, I’ve developed an ear for particular sounds that work well with what I have to say, Creative control allows me to communicate my emotions, vision and message more accurately at this point.

Nicolle: Taking time away to refine your craft is a bold move in today’s fast-paced industry. What lessons did you learn during this period, and how do they shape your future releases?

IAMKALECE:  I’ve learnt that it’s okay not to be everybody’s preferred sound or artist and also that I am the only person who can ensure that I become the artist I’m meant to be, if I don’t then I’m the only one to blame, this has allowed me to decide to put 100% into my craft moving forward on my next project, listeners can expect much more from me vocally and emotionally on my next release.

Nicolle: What’s next for IAMKALECE? Can fans expect a full album or live performances to accompany this powerful new era? 

100%. Fans can expect live performances and an EP release in the near future!

As IAMKALECE continues to evolve, TIME signals a new era of transparency, artistry, and bold self-expression. With live performances and a new EP on the horizon, fans can look forward to even more emotional depth and musical innovation. To stay updated on her journey, follow IAMKALECE on her official channels and immerse yourself in the powerful narrative of TIME.

Follow IAMKALECE on Instagram, X and Spotify

Listen here.

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Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator and social media executive for The C Word Mag. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.