Hamzaa has been rising steadily into the public consciousness this past year: there was her sold-out debut headline show at London's St Pancras Old Church, followed at the start of 2019 by another sell-out performance, this time at Omeara - the show got a four star review in the Evening Standard, who compared her to a 19-era Adele. She has supported Ray BLK; been called "the real deal" by The Line Of Best Fit; received radio support across tastemaker platforms like Repezent, national stations like Radio 1Xtra, and Julie Adenuga's Beats1 show; not to mention co-signs from Stormzy, Wretch32 and Ghetts, who both hopped on part two of her sublime track 'Breathing'. On top of all this, last year when when she only had two songs out, the executive producer for BBC institution 'Later... with Jools Holland' heard her on the radio - what followed, very quickly, was a sublime debut performance on the show.
Hamzaa's journey, however, starts long before all that - and, as she puts it, "I want people to fall in love with the journey and the story rather than just the hype and excitement."
Her childhood in East London's Hackney was one full of creativity, growing-up singing-along to a diet of artists she describes as "old school classics" at home (she cites the likes of Aretha, Beyoncé, John Legend, and even Dolly Parton), with her mum encouraging that passion for performance by sending her to various performing arts and stage schools. Aged 11, Hamzaa went to boarding school ("mum wanted me to get a chance to be out of our area"), where she became deeply involved in directing plays, arranging songs, and participating in singing competitions.
Halfway through A-Levels, however, she decided to drop-out and pursue music properly. Via a stint working the cloakroom at Brixton Academy, she was: "Always writing, always singing, always dancing and putting it into whatever aspect of my life."
Indeed, underpinning her rise to prominence was that Hamzaa had started writing songs when she was just nine years old. It was around the same time she had started learning piano, and she began to put her poetry to music. An only child, creating her own place for self-expression was vital - "I had no one to talk to, really, but myself - obviously I could talk to my mum, but it's a bit different when you're younger! So any of the thoughts that I had, I was very good at putting it down on paper and then getting on the piano finding some chords."
Via a now lost EP (the files were on her old laptop), almost a decade later Hamzaa's songwriting process comes from the same place - putting down her thoughts, diary-like, to process things, while also giving other people a space to relate: "I want to open a conversation and make people be fearless in their speech," she says.
'First Signs Of Me' reflects that boldness of intent, self-interrogating her mental space in the aftermath of a break-up, "rather than sitting in my sadness". This is particularly striking on opening track 'Red', which softly speaks of fear and suicidal thoughts and grappling with self-love. The beautiful accompanying video, filmed at Southend-on-Sea and directed by Filmawi Efrem, sees a dancer on the water, keeping above it all while everyone watches from the shore. "I'm very sensitive and very anxious," explains Hamzaa, "I've suffered from severe depression and anxiety, so I really advocate for talking about mental health. I want people to try and be in the best mental space possible, or working towards that - so I try to emulate that myself. It's tough sometimes, but I like to be the strong friend, the backbone of things. It makes me happy when I feel other people are good. I know what it's like not to feel good."
Comparisons with the likes of Amy Winehouse make sense - indeed, Hamzaa even lists her off when she talks about her aims for the future: this is timeless, universal, emotionally resonant music topped with a spellbindingly powerful voice. Not that Hamzaa needs to be compared to anyone but herself - what she's creating is deeply personal, and she's keen to highlight that the only trajectory she's focussing on is her own. Accordingly, she's not in a rush to put out a load of music, instead happy to let people take their time with 'First Signs' - "I don't wanna rush and put out something that I don't completely love," she explains, "I don't want people to see or hear something and just be like 'mmm, it's alright' when I know I didn't fully love it in the first place."
For now, there's a slew of singles she's planning - 'London' is the first post-EP, and is full of evocative, uplifting gospel warmth, as she talks about never giving up and her enduring love for her, at times, overwhelming city. Another forthcoming track, 'Write It Down' is one she describes as "powerful". Hamzaa doesn't like swearing, but admits the track is a "fuck you" to people who don't understand what she's about - to so-called friends trying to invalidate what she's doing and what she's talking about in her music while she's putting her all into it.
It all comes back to that focus on self-expression rather than on expectation; taking her time to evoke emotions that last, rather than riding the hype wave: "The way I want my path to go is longevity, I want to be remembered for my music and for what I was able to do with my music. And that longevity comes when you play your cards... not right, but you play them smart. You could play the wrong card, but if you've taken your time grinding and you've worked for it, it's gonna connect somehow."
And with that attitude, Hamzaa looks set to have a straight flush.
"Music inhabits the soulful jazzy space left by Amy Winehouse. A star is born." - Evening Standard
"There is no doubt about it - we're going to be hearing a lot more from Hamzaa and we are so, so ready for her." - The Line Of Best Fit
"Knows how to sing emotions that you didn't even realise you were feeling." - Julie Adenuga
Stranded Love
Hamzaa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I was done with all the stressing
I thought I could make up for lost time
And maybe be myself again
The answer to the question
Seems so helpless in my reach
All the nights that I cried but for nothing
You still had my heart in the palm of your hand
Oh, boy was I wrong
The tear stains still left here on my bed
I thought it would be easy
To pick up and leave this all behind me
Behind me
Ain't no way around it
This love I have is stranded here
I thought that I had found it
But the page seems so clear for everyone to see
You're with her but, you belong to me
For everyone to see
You're with her but, you belong to me
I saw you across the way
I saw you and her together
I saw you and I tried to shy away
But in my heart I knew to stay
Being around you
Makes it hard for me to breathe
Not so hard for me to handle
Oh, boy was I wrong
You still had my heart in the palm of your hand
Oh, boy was I wrong
The tear stains still left here on my bed
I thought it would be easy
To pick up and leave this all behind me
Behind me
Ain't no way around it
This love I have is stranded here
I thought that I had found it
But the page seems so clear for everyone to see
You're with her but, you belong to me
For everyone to see
You're with her but, you belong to me
Ain't no way around it
This love I have is stranded here
I thought that I had found it
But the page seems so clear for everyone to see
You're with her but, you belong to me
For everyone to see
You're with her but, you belong to me
The song "Stranded Love" by Hamzaa explores the complicated dynamics of a love triangle. The singer once believed that she could move on from the heartbreak caused by her former lover, but it becomes clear that her feelings for him have not disappeared. She still yearns for him, despite the fact that he is with someone else. The lyrics illustrate the internal conflict the singer feels, as she desperately tries to convince herself that she can move on, even though she knows deep down that she cannot.
The chorus, "You're with her but, you belong to me," highlights the singer's possessive nature and suggests that she believes her former lover belongs with her, even though he is in another relationship. The phrase "stranded love" represents the singer's feeling of being stuck in this emotional limbo, unable to let go of her former lover even though she knows it is not healthy for her. The song's emotional intensity is heightened by Hamzaa's soulful vocals and the soaring instrumentation, which build to a climactic finish.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I could breathe again
Hamzaa believed she had moved on and overcome the emotional distress caused by her past relationship.
I thought I was done with all the stressing
Hamzaa believed that she was over the pain and suffering of her past relationship.
I thought I could make up for lost time
Hamzaa hoped to move on and spend time with herself again, free of the emotional burden of her past relationship.
And maybe be myself again
Hamzaa desired the ability to be herself again, without feeling emotionally drained or troubled by her past.
The answer to the question
Hamzaa is searching for the answer to the confusion and uncertainty she faces in her relationship.
Seems so helpless in my reach
Though the answer is within reach, Hamzaa feels helpless and unable to grasp it.
All the nights that I cried but for nothing
Hamzaa spent many sleepless and tear-filled nights dwelling on her past relationship and trying to make sense of it, to no avail.
Oh, boy was I wrong
Hamzaa realizes that she was mistaken about her ability to move on from her past relationship.
You still had my heart in the palm of your hand
Hamzaa's ex-partner still maintains an emotional hold over her, despite their breakup.
The tear stains still left here on my bed
Hamzaa is still emotionally affected by her past relationship, as evidenced by the marks left on her bed from her tears.
Ain't no way around it
There is no avoiding the fact that Hamzaa is still in love with her ex-partner, despite their separation.
This love I have is stranded here
Hamzaa's love for her ex-partner feels trapped and unresolved, unable to move on from the past.
I thought that I had found it
Hamzaa believed that she had found love and emotional fulfillment in her past relationship.
But the page seems so clear for everyone to see
The truth about Hamzaa's past relationship and her lingering feelings for her ex-partner are evident to everyone around her.
You're with her but, you belong to me
Hamzaa's ex-partner may be with someone else, but she believes that they still belong to her emotionally.
I saw you across the way
Hamzaa comes face-to-face with her ex-partner, likely causing her to face the unresolved emotions and feelings she has for them.
I saw you and her together
Hamzaa witnesses her ex-partner with someone else, causing her emotional distress and feelings of jealousy.
I saw you and I tried to shy away
Hamzaa attempts to avoid confronting her unresolved emotions and feelings in the presence of her ex-partner.
But in my heart I knew to stay
Despite her attempts to hide from her emotions, Hamzaa's heart knows that staying near her ex-partner is necessary for her emotional growth and healing.
Being around you
Being in the presence of her ex-partner.
Makes it hard for me to breathe
Hamzaa struggles to maintain her composure and remain emotionally stable in the presence of her ex-partner.
Not so hard for me to handle
Despite the emotional distress caused by her ex-partner, Hamzaa is resilient and able to handle the stress with some ease.
Writer(s): Eddie Serafica, Cassandra-malika Hamza
Contributed by Tyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gali Anime
I thought I could breathe again
I thought I was done with all the stressing
I thought I could make up for lost time and maybe I'd be myself again
The answer to the question
Seems so well within my reach
[Pre-Chorus]
All the nights that I cried for nothing
Oh, boy, was I wrong
You still have my heart in the palm of your hand
Oh, boy, was I wrong
The tear stains still left here on my bed
I thought it would be easy
To pick up and leave this all behind me, behind me
[Chorus]
Ain't no way around it
This love I have is stranded here
I thought that I had found it
But now the page seems so clear
For everyone to see
You're with her, but you belong to me
For everyone to see
You're with her, but you belong to me
[Verse 2]
I saw you across the way
I saw you and her together
I saw you and I tried to shy away but in my heart I knew to stay
Being around you
Makes it hard for me to breathe
[Pre-Chorus]
Not so hard for me to handle
Oh, boy, was I wrong
You still have my heart in the palm of your hand
Oh, boy, was I wrong
The tear stains still left here on my bed
I thought it would be easy
To pick up and leave this all behind me, behind me
[Chorus]
Ain't no way around it
This love I have is stranded here
I thought that I had found it
But now the page seems so clear
For everyone to see
You're with her, but you belong to me
For everyone to see
You're with her, but you belong to me
[Chorus]
Ain't no way around it
This love I have is stranded here
I thought that I had found it
But now the page seems so clear
For everyone to see
You're with her, but you belong to me
For everyone to see
You're with her, but you belong to me
Gali Anime
I thought I could breathe again
I thought I was done with all the stressing
I thought I could make up for lost time and maybe I'd be myself again
The answer to the question
Seems so well within my reach
[Pre-Chorus]
All the nights that I cried for nothing
Oh, boy, was I wrong
You still have my heart in the palm of your hand
Oh, boy, was I wrong
The tear stains still left here on my bed
I thought it would be easy
To pick up and leave this all behind me, behind me
[Chorus]
Ain't no way around it
This love I have is stranded here
I thought that I had found it
But now the page seems so clear
For everyone to see
You're with her, but you belong to me
For everyone to see
You're with her, but you belong to me
[Verse 2]
I saw you across the way
I saw you and her together
I saw you and I tried to shy away but in my heart I knew to stay
Being around you
Makes it hard for me to breathe
[Pre-Chorus]
Not so hard for me to handle
Oh, boy, was I wrong
You still have my heart in the palm of your hand
Oh, boy, was I wrong
The tear stains still left here on my bed
I thought it would be easy
To pick up and leave this all behind me, behind me
[Chorus]
Ain't no way around it
This love I have is stranded here
I thought that I had found it
But now the page seems so clear
For everyone to see
You're with her, but you belong to me
For everyone to see
You're with her, but you belong to me
[Chorus]
Ain't no way around it
This love I have is stranded here
I thought that I had found it
But now the page seems so clear
For everyone to see
You're with her, but you belong to me
For everyone to see
You're with her, but you belong to me
Grandhelda Art
This song topped my spotify list this year, I listened to it so much and it helped me go through a lot I wish they had more attention 😭
Happy Lady
I'm healing a broken heart still....💔 Great song!!!😎
S B
Your song gave me hope when I went through the most difficult time in my life. Thank you.
Amy Wilson
Favorite new artist. Love her voice! ❤💕🎶
Mahrukh Shahzadi
Absolutely love this song. Fabulous work lyrically xx
Christel Armstrong
Sister sister your vibe is everything..music heals the souls of many..love everything you have done ..breathing is my number one pick then I go through all of your songs .. keep them coming you belong here..
F F
Shes amazing she captures your soul
Budgies & Pat
HAMZAA is a superb soul singer - it is a delight to listen and share such a newcomer, who displays all the facets of an outstanding GREAT LADY of SOUL enchanting true soul music lovers around the globe sooner or later !! ... much love - Pat
amanda nerea
Really love this! So proud of you. 😘😘😘😘😘😘