Following the release of his latest album Jedaiah, we caught an interview with songwriter and artist Sarish Ahmed to find out more about the music and his hopes going forward as a creative. Here’s how it went.
* * *
Hi Sarish – thanks for the interview, and congratulations on the new album. What does this project mean to you, and how did your approach to it differ from the last release?
Thank you so much, I’m grateful to have this opportunity. To be honest I just let my work happen, so beside my job in a call-center I always find time to write lyrics, listen to beats and write even more lyrics. Jedaiah means Power of a Word, and in this Project that “Word” is Love. I just wrote down what comes in my mind & heart, so the outcome are 16 Songs in total.
I made no effort to differ from the last release, cuz it’s happening automatically. I feel a progress from Album and Album cuz I do trust on my time and the passion beyond my smile I get when I re-read my own lyrics.
What inspires you as an artist?
The moment when your mind is empty, that state where you have no thoughts running desperately in your head, in that moment you can write from a higher spirit. Also music from my favourite artist like Kendrick, J. Cole or some new drops like Earthgang. Additional to that, a review of my life is also a good inspiration to deal with.
What do you hope people take away from this new collection?
No matter how badly life is running upon you, keep on loving…
Love with no boundaries, that’s really the matter.
How do you generally get started when writing new songs – is there a freestyle aspect involved when you write bars?
It’s so different cuz usually I start to write while listening to a beat. Sometimes I do freestyle and catch some lines, but I’m worse in that.
And it happens that i write down the lyrics first and then have to find a beat.
So I have no routine with that, it just happens. When I feel the beat I already have the visionary audio in my head and just need to find the correct words for the rhythmic or what else is bumping in my head at that moment.
If people only have time to listen to one song – which would you recommend, and why?
Pussy n Power. There are some lines which are just true. Like the one where I mention that Nikola Tesla died for helping a better mankind.
What’s the bigger picture – what are your hopes as an artist over the coming months and years?
To have a team behind my back supporting me and my needs, who feel me.
I need to get my ass kicked because I’m really lazy. So I know that from nothing comes nothing, so at least I have to turn something from nothing – art of rap.
What’s something about you that most people don’t know?
ehmm.. I’m a German who had to learn German first and mis-learned his mother language (Kurdish) but I feel more comfortable with writing in English. I tried to write German songs but for real nah, nah, English ftw!
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
If u hate or love it, I appreciate everyone’s time taken on my songs. I hope I really do spread some messages for humankind despite the New Age Rap Era with nonsense. I know my music is sad but from that comes hope and love. So there’s always a decision to make you, and everyone else, happy and satisfied with their life! It’s up to you, Human Being!
* * *
Find & follow Sarish Ahmed on Instagram & Soundcloud.
