Emerging artist ANASTÁZIE is carving out a sound that’s both effortlessly global and deeply personal. With her latest single “Kiss & Let Go,” she fuses R&B, Afrobeats, and jazz into a lush, soulful blend that reflects her Czech-Armenian roots and her artistic evolution since moving from Prague to London at just 17. Rooted in her background as a classically trained jazz vocalist yet inspired by the vibrant rhythms of Afrobeats, her music captures both emotional depth and irresistible groove. In this interview, she opens up about the story behind “Kiss & Let Go,” her creative process in the studio, and how her multicultural journey continues to shape her ever-expanding sound.
“Kiss & Let Go” blends R&B, Afrobeats, and jazz so seamlessly—how did you arrive at this sound?
I think my main inspiration was the fact that I absolutely love afrobeats as a genre and its probably one of my favorites. But the jazz influence is always in my music because I am a classically trained jazz vocalist since a young age, so that was such a big part of my life too and thats the reason why I blend those styles.
Can you share the story or moment that first inspired “Kiss & Let Go”?
The story was really simple actually, it all started with the beat that my producer made. Prior, I gave him some influences to start off with, some songs that I enjoyed and instrumental patterns. And as soon as I’ve heard the original beat for “kiss & let go” I knew what it was about to be. It’s honestly just a feeling and a vibe that I get from each beat that I work on.
You co-produced the single—what does being involved in the production process mean to you as an artist?
I love the production element of creating a record. Even though I’m not involved in it as a producer or an engineer, I always am involved in the overall feeling of the song, the post-production elements. Because I’m a trained musician, I get ideas of what kind of sound is missing in the beat, what would complement it even more or what would change the dynamic I’m the best way possible. And I am lucky enough to have professional producers and engineers who make it happen.
Moving from Prague to London at 17 must have been a big leap—how has that journey shaped your artistry?
My journey as a person and as an artists definitely started to develop when I first moved to London at 17. This city made me see music in a different way, much more professional and raw. I was in the studio for the first time, had my first solo gigs and worked as a recording artist for the first time and all of that happened in London.
Your Czech and Armenian heritage is unique—how does your multicultural background influence your music?
My multicultural background definitely influences my music and my views on the artistry in general. I love traditional instruments that I’m not afraid to use in modern beats, for example Armenian duduk which I have in many of my songs. And I love to bring Czech language into my lyrics to make it more personal.
If “Kiss & Let Go” could soundtrack a film scene, what would that scene look like?
That a great question, the was I see it, it needs to be something summery, something sexy and empowering. Maybe young people’s relationship, a beach, music, dancing and all of the good stuff. That’s the kind of vibe that I went for when writing “kiss & let go”.
What do you hope listeners feel when they hear the song for the first time?
I hope that my record moves them. I hope they feel empowered and that they feel moved. I hope they feel that it’s okay to feel whatever they want in the moment, without feeling judged or anything. I hope my record will help them through any difficulties they go through or that it will simply make their day better.
Who are some of the artists or genres that inspire your creative approach right now?
I would say that I mostly get inspired and influenced by styles of music. And that also changes depending on the season. Summer for me is afrobeats, funk, pop and colder months are classical rnb, jazz and hip jop influences. So depending on what I’m listening to at the moment, that also influences what I create.
What’s one thing fans might be surprised to learn about your process in the studio?
I think the most surprising thing about me in the studio is how focused I am while working. Usually I’m very bubbly and funny, but as soon as I’m in the zone and my focus is on the maximum, I don’t see nothing else but the song. I get dully consumed by the process of creating and it also helps me to concentrate and give it my maximum.
Where do you see yourself taking your sound in the next year?
I see my sound expanding and excited to explore what will come out of it. I’m not afraid to experiment with my sound and my music, and I have many new projects incoming, starting with UK sound, features with artists from London and Czech Republic, more of an RnB ballad sound as well as an old school RnB. There’s many things I’m working on and I can’t wait to share it all with my listeners.
