Q: Since you studied economics, how do you keep your wits about you as far as the "business" side of the music business?

Rhian: I think the key to keeping "wits" intact is to surround yourself with a few generals that you can trust. Things get crazy at times and it becomes hard to stay on top of everything but I have a great team at the label, they are very open and transparent. The music certainly takes precedence over everything else, but at the same time, I try to make sure that I have a long term career plan, and I encourage all other artists to do the same.

Q: Being from Ghana and being so well-traveled, you've seen many cross-sections of cultures. What are your favourite kinds of genres, music and scenes if any?

Rhian: I think that growing up in different countries has just made me more aware of the simple fact that we are all the same. Regardless of colour, religion and politics, we all have the same basic needs in life. The Arts unite us, every culture looks to its artists to express the feelings and attitudes of the time; to uplift and tantalize. The traditional African rhythms that I grew up with have undeniably helped to shape my music in the same way that I was influenced by Hip Hop in the 80's. I remember when I lived in India I was captivated by Bollywood movies, I still sit and watch whenever I get the chance, they represent escapism at its best!

Q: Tell us about being signed. How did that come to be for you?

Rhian: When I graduated from University with a degree in Econometrics, I decided to go into investment banking, it seemed like the sensible thing to do! It took a year of banking for me to realise that my passions lay elsewhere, so I came to the US to Grad school. Three months into the program my mother fell very ill in London and so I went back to look after her, it was during this time of crisis that I started to write more frequently than ever before. I realized that my true calling was in music, and so decided to start performing at a small weekly open mic event in London. It was terrifying, I could hardly breathe let alone sing the first few times I got up there, but I loved the adrenaline and the excitement of living the dream.

As fate would have it, a couple of the partners from my current label who I already knew had been coming to these events, and over time, we began talking and they asked me about my writing and performance experience.