Mumbai/London Artist Sahirah Releases Debut Bop ‘Necklace’

For Mumbai-bred, London-based artist Sahirah Oshidar (who goes by her first name as an artist), lyrical and sonic inspirations are never really set. She explains, “For example, a track I have coming out in the first quarter of next year was inspired by some insane French toast I had. And the song became about breakfast.”

Before that, Sahirah prefaces the upcoming year full of singles with a minute-long, skittering song called “Necklace.” Drawing out a gentle guitar line and pop vocals, she quickly goes rogue, with the production turning on its head for pointed hip-hop. The mood goes from emotional heartbreak ballad to anger and realizing one’s self-worth.

It’s no surprise to hear the artist say “Necklace” is one of the quickest songs she’s written. “I wrote it, I didn’t overthink it, posted a version of it and the reception was insane,” Sahirah adds. The 24-year-old film school graduate, who is now working in the music industry, knows the value of not overthinking the music-making process. So far, she has four songs set for release in the coming year.

That includes the aforementioned pop song about breakfast (featuring U.K. artist NEMY), a rap track produced by alternative group SIXK’s Hari Pilaka (“It’s also got a heist-themed music video which we shot in London,” Sahirah says), a socially-conscious grime song, and a folk-informed “sad-girl” jam. She adds, “It’ll hurt your feelings, and make you feel things. But that’s what I’m trying to do anyway – so it can be everyone’s ‘sad song in the car when it’s raining.’”

Although Sahirah has performed in the Mumbai circuit for a few years, it’s only now that she’s making an earnest push towards building an identity as an artist. She even mentions an alter-ego called Toshiba. She adds, “We’re sad, we’re happy, we’re angry, we’re excited. We’re horrible, we’re amazing. We’re people. We keep changing, we keep evolving. My music is not, and never going to be the same.”

Listen to “Necklace” below. Stream on more platforms here.