Namasenda is a self-confessed liar. As soon as I sit down in front of her in the green room of XOYO ahead of her final gig of the year, the Stockholm-based former PC Music signee warns me that she’s a big fan of fibbing in interviews. It becomes apparent very quickly – “Did I say that? I didn’t say that,” she laughs when I try to clarify that Sporty was in fact her favourite Spice Girl – and continues throughout, rendering a lot of my research prep completely redundant.

My notes might have been metaphorically ripped up and tossed out of the window, but in the end it makes for a very fun conversation, as she mischievously chops and changes her mind. As a contrarian Scorpio, it’s something I appreciate – if I was a pop star sitting in her place, I’d probably do the same. Always keep them guessing your next move.

One thing that’s absolutely, definitely true, however, is just how talented Namasenda is. First landing in people’s consciousness via sickly-sweet speed freak anthem “Donuts”, in 2021 she dropped stellar debut mixtape Unlimited Ammo. A powerful punch of a record that fired together influences spanning hyper-pop, J-pop, happy hardcore and sweaty, euphoric bangers, it featured appearances from Joey LaBeija, Hannah Diamond, and designer friend Mowalola. “Finish Him” – a song which calls listeners to kick their latest delusionship to the kerb if he’s not stepping up – was so good, it made it onto Dazed’s best tracks of 2021 list.

More recently, she dropped a follow-up in the form of EP “Ambrosia”, fusing forlorn, heartbroken lyrics with shimmering synths and trancey Eurotrash beats, “deathrow bby” being a particular standout. Seeing her fans crowding the XOYO stage and screaming her lyrics back at her, eyes closed and hands in the air, it’s a wild concept that she hasn’t already gone stratospheric globally. 

Style-wise, Namasenda is as eclectic as her music, scavenging for cool young designers while doomscrolling Instagram and incorporating them into her uniquely sci-fi influenced looks. The night we meet, she shows up on stage in a dramatic scarlet one-piece finished with a billowing cape and futuristic metallic pink wraparound sunglasses, looking like she just stepped off the set of a Fifth Element remake. Her aesthetic is constantly developing, she tells me, with the next evolution hopefully a stint on the runway. “Let’s manifest that for 2024,” she says.

Get to know her better below, as she talks fashion fails, unworn fashion grails, and her 2023 style icons. Although, of course, none of it might even be true. 

So first of all, did you always want to make music? 

Namasenda: I can’t remember a time before I wanted to make music, so I guess so? As a kid I wanted to be a Spice Girl. 

What was the first album or single you bought? 

Namasenda: That I bought with my own money was Avril Lavigne Complicated. My fave track was “Things I’ll Never Say”. I was listening to it the other day and it’s still so good. That song made me want to get married when I was 10.

You’ve said in interviews the Spice Girls made you want to make music and that Sporty was your fave…

Namasenda: I think that was a lie. I don’t think I had a favourite. Sometimes I lie (laughs). I don’t know. I want to say Vicky but that’s only because she was lying in the Beckham documentary. 

What’s your fave Spice Girls song or which would you most like to cover? 

Namasenda: “2 Become 1” for sure.

“That I bought with my own money was Avril Lavigne Complicated. My fave track was ‘Things I’ll Never Say’. I was listening to it the other day and it’s still so good. That song made me want to get married when I was 10” – Namasenda

You’ve collaborated with a lot of iconic women, but if you were gonna form a girl group, who else would you want in it? 

Namasenda: Oh my god, okay. I would love to have Chi, Mowalola, and Deto Black. That’s a really good girl group. From Lagos to Stockholm. 

An iconic line-up, something to think about in 2024. When does inspiration for your music usually strike? 

Namasenda: In the middle of the night when I’m sleeping. Like, I remember most of my dreams, they’re very vivid so I will wake up and remember a song that I was dreaming about. So I take parts of that song and make something out of it. I try to write down my dreams when I wake up so I don’t forget. Usually it’s just rubbish but sometimes it’s really good stuff. 

What’s a lyric that you didn’t write but wish you did? 

Namasenda: I was thinking about this the other day. It’s a song by Tate McCrae that I don’t think is out yet but she is posting it all over her TikTok – I don’t even follow her, I just keep getting it on my For You Page. I don’t remember it right now but it’s really good. I don’t know what it is about it, but I love that songwriting, it’s just pure pop. 

Okay fashion. When did you first start paying attention to fashion, what was the moment? 

Namasenda: I’ve always paid attention to fashion. I guess from middle school? I used to dress really weird, like I used to get bullied for my clothes a lot, but I thought my fits were really good. 

How did you dress in high school? 

Namasenda: My look was very chaotic, I used to wear different coloured pantyhose and I’d put on one leg and kind of tie it at the hip so there would be these weird flaps… like I understand why I got bullied (laughs).

Obviously, no regrets, but looking back now did you have any fashion fails?

Namasenda: Oh my god, like every day I regret something. I look back six months and I’m in something weird. I spend a lot of time looking like shit (laughs)

Who would you call a style icon now? 

Namasenda: Sita Abellan. I really like her style. 

“My favourite film is I Origins. It’s like sci-fi meets your soul’s purpose. It’s just a beautiful movie that I rewatch every few years and I forget what it’s about and every time it just brings me to tears. ” – Namasenda

So there’s a scene in the “No Regrets” video that’s inspired by Die Hard… 

Namasenda: Who told you that? 

I read it in another interview when I was doing some interview prep.

Namasenda: There you go, I’m lying again (laughs). I don’t remember that. I don’t think it’s true. I like Die Hard though, that part’s true.

Christmas film or not? 

Namasenda: Both. It is a Christmas movie, but it is also just an action movie! But it is a Christmas movie, come on. The first one at least, like the others no. It is!

On movies, your aesthetic and music videos are very cinematic – what’s your fave movie? 

Namasenda: My favourite film is I Origins. It’s with Brad Pitt’s brother… Michael Pitt? I think I’m making that up, but the movie actually exists. It’s like sci-fi meets your soul’s purpose. It’s just a beautiful movie that I rewatch every few years and I forget what it’s about and every time it just brings me to tears. 

If you were going to be in a movie, what would it be? 

Namasenda: Barbie. It’s so good! It’s one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. I was so ecstatic after I saw that movie.

Which Barbie would you be? 

Namasenda: That weird fucked up one (laughs).

Where do you buy your clothes? What was the last thing you bought? 

Namasenda: The last thing I bought was this human alien dress slash bodysuit, and I buy all my clothes on the internet. Instagram is great. A lot of people were mad that Instagram turned into an online mall, but I am its number one client, I love it. I find a lot of new designers and great clothes on there. 

What’s your holy grail fashion item, like what would you love to own? 

Namasenda: Actually this was my holy grail, but I finally got it a while back – the Dior Hardcore bag. I’ve been wanting it for years, but then I finally got it and I never wear it. 

You’ve lived between London, LA, and Stockholm. Which city has the best style and why? 

Namasenda: I would say LA because people are unhinged there. There are some fucked up outfits going on there. 

“Ideal girl group? I would love to have Chi, Mowalola, and Deto Black. That’s a really good girl group. From Lagos to Stockholm” – Namasenda

You’ve previously collabed with Mowalola on a track. Are there any other designers you’d love to work with?

Namasenda: I would have loved to do a track with Alexander McQueen. 

Is there a runway show you’d like to walk, or feature in the campaign? 

Namasenda: Any! Just book me (laughs). 

What track would you want to walk the runway to?

Namasenda: Maybe an LMFAO track at the Balenciaga show. 

Who’s your favourite supermodel? 

Namasenda: Adut Akech. Gorgeous.

If I gave you £1,000 right now to spend on fashion, what would you buy? 

Namasenda: I would buy some new underwear from H&M and then I would pay off some debt. I’m trying to be responsible for 2024.

Biggest fashion ick? 

Namasenda: So in Stockholm we call it the start-up tech vest that all the bros wear. Like a quilted gilet. I cannot. 

What are you most likely to get cancelled for? 

Namasenda: Oh, I’m uncancellable (laughs).

What three records would you take if you were stuck on a desert island? 

Namasenda: Chief Keef “I don’t Like”, Chief Keef “I Hate Being Sober”, and any Bad Gal song really. 

And what luxury item?

Namasenda:  I don’t do this but if I only had one thing… Shower gel that is also moisturiser. If I don’t have my moisturiser I’m not lasting long. 

What’s your plan for 2024?

Namasenda: I really just want to have fun and feel free because I really did not have fun this year. 

Follow Namasenda here.