The New Wave: An Interview with Negro Impacto

Negro Impacto are creating a new sound, dare I say genre, in the Irish music scene. Think Erykah Badu-like vocals on electronic beats that are mixed with funk, neo-soul and R&B. Their music videos are colourful and slightly grainy, filling you with a nostalgia for the 90’s music scene. Even their Instagram makes you feel like you’re backstage

The unique sound and vibe transports you to somewhere far from Dundalk. 

They are an independent duo, comprised of vocalist-songwriter, Chi-Chi and multi-instrumental producer, Laurence. Finding a major gap in the Irish music scene, they have created something so unique that Starfish were ecstatic to sit down for an interview with the pair. 

You’ve created a sound that blends neo-soul, R&B, funk, rock, and hip-hop. How did that unique style develop?

(Chi-Chi) I think it just developed based on what we listen to, so usually Laurence is a DJ as well, so he has the electronic background, as well as he grew up listening to Congolese music. As for me, I grew up listening to all genres. I grew up in the church, so I had a lot of gospel influence. My parents are Nigerian, and I am ethnically Nigerian as well, so that definitely had a lot of influence. Also, my dad was in a band growing up; he made a lot of different styles of music, mostly reggae and gospel. The idea is the most natural thing that came to us.

You met through the Dundalk skate scene. How has your hometown influenced your music and creative journey?

(Laurence) I guess through skating you learn a lot about how to interact with people, and it is a thing that is there to facilitate us connecting beyond just skating. Think about what you're into, where you’re from. Yeah, I think it creates a natural connection in that way, while serving as a kind of icebreaker, so it makes everything else easy. 

When there’s nothing to say, you’re skating, and when there is something to say, you’re also still skating. I guess that it has just influenced healthy connections, which informs the music between us. Like I say, the conversations we had after, or during the skate session, made it apparent that we’re into a lot of the same stuff, so yeah, I think it made it easier for us to connect and make Negro Impacto.

Who are the artists—past or present—that have had the biggest influence on your songwriting and production?

(Laurence) I guess a shared one for us is Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson. And then for me personally a lot of bands that I just hear on the radio; whether it was the Foo Fighters or someone more contemporary, like King Cruel or Mac de Marco. And then there’s electronic producers too, but then it just comes from the people I’ve hung out with that are showing you music, like the Hudson Mohawk or Joy Orbison. Or you’re going out clubbing for the first time and hearing new music. So yeah, it's a very sort of pot of inspiration and influences in that way for me, and I’m sure Chi-Chi has her own.

When you’re writing a new song, what usually comes first: the lyrics, the melody, or the beat?

(Chi-Chi) For me, when I’m writing new music, or when we’re writing, usually it’s the beat that we first get; sometimes the lyrics are already existing as a poem, or sometimes I journal. So, I would have the lyrics written down already without knowing they’re lyrics; they could just be how I felt, and once I get the beat, then I start to lay down the melody. So, I usually (hums vocals) to the melody of what it is I think would match the beat and then I add the lyrics in at the end.

Ireland’s music scene is thriving at the moment. What excites you most about being part of this new generation of Irish artists?

(Chi-Chi)I think it’s just really fun to see people who could be your friends, people that you know in different capacities, doing music and doing it really well.

I feel like the Irish music scene has such a high-quality output of music of all genres and styles. I think that is what makes it so exciting, and then to be a part of that kind of revolution of music in Ireland, it feels like something I always dreamed of doing when I was younger, but never saw the space to do so. Being a part of it makes me excited for the people who are gonna come after us, who think, ooh well I can do this because I see them do this and those people do that. So it’s just exciting, first of all, to see how we’re growing within the space, but also how the people who come after us, I guess, continue on with the baton after that. 

What’s next for Negro Impacto, and what can fans look forward to over the coming year? 

(Chi-Chi) We have more music coming up this year, so that’s exciting. We’re also doing Irish Music Week, which is very exciting. Lots of amazing Irish artists will be there as well. So it will be fantastic to play alongside them. As well as play there ourselves.

How do you deal with creative block?

(Chi-Chi)I honestly would say that I can just take a break from it. Sometimes I have to learn how to have fun with the music again. So, as opposed to telling myself I need to make this song because this song needs to be done by tomorrow, I just have to write songs just for fun that are not gonna go anywhere, or just play music and literally not record it, not do anything with it. Just sit with my guitar and sing and play and leave it at that for a while, actually. Or just not touch music at all; that’s how I deal with it.

(Laurence) I don't deal with creative block. I just go outside. I guess just remove yourself from the music. I think it’s part of the process as well; it’s almost similar to studying for an exam or something. Sometimes stepping away and looking at things when they’re right in front of you can help, as well as looking away from it and coming back with a fresh mind. The fact that I’m working with Chi-Chi too, I think that helps to stay motivated, and when you feel like, ‘I’m the problem’ sort of thing. When it really isn’t that, it’s quite unnatural to be fixated on the one thing for so long. I think by giving yourself the patience and grace that the process needs and understanding you’ll get there eventually. It may not be when you want it to happen, but it will happen when it's supposed to happen.

The Irish music scene is booming right now, with a new wave of Irish musicians, or as Chi-Chi put it, a ‘revolution of music in Ireland’. Negro Impacto had a dream; aware of the lack of inclusive space in the Irish music scene, they created their own. 

Not only did they create this space for themselves, but they are also excited for the growth that is at Ireland’s doorstep. 

Inclusive spaces in music are vital to the scene, with Chi-Chi and Laurence making it clear that there is so much talent waiting to be discovered throughout Ireland. Their music and presence are a reminder that if there isn’t a space for your creativity, you can make one that is your own. And it may just be utilised by the generations to come.

If you’ve been itching to discover a new funk, soul band, this is your sign to follow Negro Impacto on their journey.

You can find them live this year at:

⭐️Fuinneamh Festival in Dundalk, 

🗓️12th-13th of September.

⭐️Ireland Music Week,

🗓️30th of September - October 2nd.