Valentine's day just got way better. Sure, it won't be the same as last Valentine's. Last year felt like a lifetime ago. You could actually go to dinner last year. You probably dressed like you cared. We all know what happened a few weeks after. Woooo-sah. We're going to make this one special in it's own way. After a year like 2020, the word "surprise" may not feel as fun as it used to, but we're reclaiming that shit. Meet your 2021 surprise Valentine.

Soaky Siren is here.

The GRAMMY ® - nominated Bahamian-born artist/songwriter, currently based in LA, has had a huge year, despite all the global disasters. Her latest single "MIA" was a standout banger on the FIFA 21 soundtrack. She wrote the monster hit "Nobody's Love" for Maroon 5. She's popped up in look books for luxury houses, and her extraordinary ability to lace melody and lyrics for everyone from J Balvin, to Chris Brown and Jason Derulo is only slightly outdone by her energy and unique style.  

Click the image to discover the Siren Shop on SOULER.

Her trademark long braids, convergent Caribbean-meets-high-street drip, and her infectious ability behind microphones and production boards just adds to the wave. She has come a long way from her Freeport youth, trading in the white sand for the salmon-tinted neon signs of Los Angeles, and doing it her way at every turn. In 2019, Billboard Magazine named her one of the emerging artists to watch for 2020. Billboard had a Magic 8-Ball. She actually lived up to the bubbling hype most crumble under. 

All things considered, we couldn't think of a better Valentine. 

Watch Siren's "MIA" live world premier video for FIFA 21's soundtrack.

We caught up with the busy Siren in North Hollywood this week to chop it up about music, fashion, and what you should be wearing for this hypothetical holiday. She's been gearing up for the drop of her hotly-anticipated follow up single to "MIA" from her forthcoming Regatta project, getting everything ready to fly while restoring her energy. Balance is an art, they say. 

Everyone surrounding Siren overstands that this upcoming single will be even bigger than the last. Regatta is a real project, complete with a capsule that blends both fashion and CBD. There's an energy around it that transcends both LA and the Bahamas, while not straying too far from either. Soaky dug into the well water for this wave. She's coyly mysterious about it, other than referencing that the video for the next single- "TopGyal" will be more akin to cinema than a traditional MTV/BET joint. Think Sin City meets Basic Instinct. 

Sure, Valentine's 2021 is different for a host of obvious reasons. Perhaps it's just a perspective ting, and surely it does not mean it's worse. We'd argue Siren's presence made it even better now. 

Follow her advice on the style shit, though. "Virtual Valentine's" doesn't mean wear the same joggers you've been in since last April. Yuh.

Now meet Soaky.

AX: Soaky! Welcome to SOULER, sister. You are a Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer, you've been releasing absolutely incredible solo records in the past year, you penned Maroon 5's "Nobody's Love" which was yet another smash, Billboard named you "Artist To Watch" last fall and you made the FIFA 21 Soundtrack. I don't say any of that as a fuel up flex, I say it to frame you the correct way, as an apex creator. But what I think we really wanna know who REALLY who you are? Introduce yo' self young Siren!

SS: Thank you! I appreciate that. All in all, I’m a Freeport gyal to the core. Simple in many ways, complex in others. Music is my medium and I’m on this journey figuring out my path and purpose as I go along. The person behind what people see is someone who’s taking chances, defying odds and sometimes failing forward like everybody else.  The artist is a fraction of the whole, ya know?

AX: So you're originally from the Freeport in the Bahamas. How did being the Caribbean like, kind of inspire or like alter your worldview? Did you know you always wanted to do what you're doing now?

SS: I definitely knew I was going to do what I’m doing now. My mind was made up since the sandbox. I was rapping since then too, honestly. The Bahamas established my worldview in a lot of ways.  As people we’re humble and make the best of what we have, we’re not easily moved and we tend to keep to ourselves- I think my default is usually chill and blasé because of this. I give my mother a lot of credit for my perspective because growing up with her was like observing a real time case study in bossin' up in spaces that were not designed for us to thrive in. Watching a stunning, self made woman build and run her own company in a very male-dominated industry while raising me and my siblings by herself set a huge precedent in my life especially because I’m facing very similar and bum ass barriers in my journey.  



AX: In addition to all the music shit, you've kinda been getting this cult fashion following. you were on the tracksuit thing way before a lot of other chics, the extra-long braids, the throwback soccer kits and really being exactly what you want to be. Where did your sense of style come from? Is that a Bahamas thing too?

SS: I credit my mother and the Bahamas for that for sure. Growing up I remember seeing a lot of designer brands but couldn’t afford them so it forced us to really put looks together creatively. This wasn’t a conscious thing either, it was what it was. That proximity to wealth without be able to indulge in that experience taught a lot of us to simply make it work. I just always loved colors, florals and gold so I play with them to this day.

AX: Alright so if some dude is attempting to take you out for Valentine's Day dinner what should they NOT wear? What gets the military about-face treatment from you?

SS: Don’t OD with the brand monograms. Sometimes it could be a look but I don’t need Gucci and Fendi all over your frame bro.  I like simple, tasteful...masculine. Nautical tings like stripes and anchors always catch my eye. I rather him gas the boat than the jet, ya know?? At the same time you can throw on shirt and jeans, as long as the cut and fit is precise I’ll appreciate that too.


AX: Ok contrary to that, what are the "Must Have Male essentials?"  

SS: Lemme see… A classic bomber. A quality hoodie cuz it’s my hoodie now. I love bearded men so beard oil might be an essential (even though I feel like I can rub some jojoba and sweet almond oil in it and give him the same result, who knows). The cologne must hit.