Lydia Marion aka Black Heart is a local musician and composer who believes her heart is with and for the black people. She chats with Wambui Virginia about her latest album Black Woman, love for Mama Africa and latest projects.

How long have you been doing music?

Music has always been part of my life. I grew up in a musical family, where at age 14, I was part of a girl’s trio with my two elder sisters.

I started doing music as a solo career in 2017 when I recorded my first album titled Black Power that I released in 2018. Still moving on strong till date.

When was your big break?

My big break was in 2018 after releasing Situation, my third single off of the Black Power album.

It was a hit that even gave light to all my other songs. It opened airplay doors for me that I enjoy till today. I give thanks.

How has been the experience?

I can definitely say I have grown and evolved as an artiste because I am not where I started.

Experience is the best teacher and well, the industry teaches one a lot over time; from sound to image and the way one carries oneself as a brand.

What inspired your album Black Woman?

My second album is inspired by the African woman who is a total woman so to speak. She is hard working, God-fearing, outspoken and love is her main drive.

A black woman can feed an entire village with her pot and calabash that never runs dry of water and food of wisdom.

She is firm with a solid foundation, grounded to her roots and mostly a virtuous woman. So, that’s basically it.

In what ways do you intend the album to impact on the society?

I believe Black Woman will impact the society positively in many ways, as it touches on almost all aspects that affect the black woman, both modern and traditional, in a range of aspects including spiritual, emotional, social and psychological.

It will affect the black woman to appreciate herself and be appreciated more as an oracle, a strong and beautiful being; a respectable being and the backbone in the society. Through a woman comes life and foundation.

Does your music have any specific style?

Most of my music is done in reggae and a bit of dancehall. Black Woman is entirely a reggae album.

I believe that reggae is a tool; a voice of the voiceless. For where words fail, reggae music will speak.

Your thoughts concerning the current emerging talent in the Kenyan music  industry…

I am proud of artistes who take time to invest in their art, especially with one vital aspect; time.

I appreciate all those where’ve come out with positive vibes that impact the society in the right way.

It gives a great feeling to see that more artistes are aware and have chosen not to sleep on their talents, and to realise that music can indeed pay and give one a decent living.

What projects are you currently working on?

I am working on the videos for the Black Woman album and many more projects that bring out the best of Black Heart as a brand.