NXTSTYLE’s 2020 Songs of the Summer: BÉE “Be”
INTRODUCING NXTSTYLE’S ‘SONGS OF THE SUMMER,’ HIGHLIGHTING OUR FAVORITE TRACKS WE’VE DISCOVERED THIS SUMMER. OVER 70 SONGS FROM NEW AND INDEPENDENT ARTISTS FORM OUR SUMMER 2020 SOUNDTRACK. TODAY WE FEATURE BÉE. THE SINGER/SONGWRITER FROM THE UK HAS MUSIC BUILT INTO HER ROOTS. HER BALLAD “BE” SHOOK OUR PLAYLIST THIS SUMMER AND WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT’S NEXT. LEARN MORE ABOUT BEE IN OUR FEATURED INTERVIEW.
“BE” IS A RIVETING SINGLE THAT REALLY SHOWS OFF YOUR VOCALS. TAKE US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF CREATING THIS SINGLE AND YOUR CONNECTION TO THIS SONG. DID YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING MOMENTS CREATING THIS TRACK?
So far I’ve been writing almost all my songs with Jake Gosling, Nuuxs and my dad Han Kooreneef. But in this case I already had written the lyrics for “Be”.
It all started with my mum, who gave me a tiny red box when I was just eight-years-old. In that box was a little piece of paper that said: ‘If you open this box, an angel will come out and they will listen to all of your stories and help you solve your problems.’ I used to talk to this ‘angel’ for hours and hours, pretty much every day for years. I really felt like there was someone, or something there to answer me, even though I couldn’t see them. I desperately wanted to meet this angel in person and for them to be tangible. But, as I got older, I understood that it’s fine to just feel the strength and direction it gives me.
One day, when Jake, Nuuxs, my dad and me were at the studio, I read the lyrics of ‘Be’ to them we decided that we wanted to make a song out of it. Then my father played the chords on the piano and the four of us came up with the melody. This song is very special to me, because it’s first song where I have written all the lyrics.
“BE” IS DEFINITELY A SONG I COULD SEE PLACED IN A MOVIE AND TV SHOW. IF YOU HAD A CHOICE WHAT WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE SYNC PLACEMENT FOR “BE”?
Haha, I like this question! I would definitely go for a romantic movie like ‘Ghost’ (Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore). I can actually picture “Be” in a lot of romantic movies, cause the lyrics could also be about a relationship between a woman and a man. The song is quite multi interpretable.
Regarding tv shows and commercials, I can imagine that it would be placed in a spiritual/religious context.
EACH OF YOUR 3 SINGLES RELEASED ARE VERY HONEST IN NATURE AS YOU KIND OF JUST LAY YOUR FEELINGS OUT THERE. WHERE’S YOUR COMFORT LEVEL WITH BEING SO TRANSPARENT IN YOUR SONGWRITING? DO YOU FEEL THIS GOES INTO YOUR PURPOSE AS AN ARTIST?
My comfort level lies in being who I am. When I write or record songs, I don’t have to perform in front of an audience. That means the only thing that counts is the “naked” me. I believe that my purpose as an artist is to share my honesty/vulnerability with as many people as possible.
AS WE DEAL WITH ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING YEARS AS A SOCIETY, DO YOU FIND THE MAJOR EVENTS OF THIS YEAR HAS CHANGED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS? HAS IT PLAYED AN INFLUENCE ON YOUR SONGWRITING?
Yes, in the sense that this crisis situation made me more aware of the value of family and friendships / quality time. I believe that when we’re facing danger, we’re getting closer to the core of our existence. To be honest, except for the fact that I started to write more music, I don’t think it had an influence on the content of the songs I wrote. Probably subconsciously it has.
LISTEN ON
FOLLOW BÉE
BÉE
The things that kept me going during these weird ‘Corona’ times, were definitely making / listening to music and being around my family a lot. My family and me have such a strong bond and always try to make the best out of it. Just like we did in this situation, where we got to be around each other the whole time.
Since I was sitting at home for almost the whole time since the pandemic started, I had plenty of time to make a lot of music and also to practice playing the piano and guitar. This really helped me moving forward during these crazy times, since music is my big passion.
Oh, and also: I started painting a lot, which really helped me relax, when I needed some time for myself. What I realized during quarantine was that if there isn’t a pandemic keeping us from doing things, we have so much freedom. I feel so much more appreciative now, after a long time of staying inside, being kept from doing simple things such as going for a walk or going out for a drink with friends.
What I can suggest other people to do is count your blessings, as cheesy as it may sound. Try to be happy with what you have and try to appreciate how much freedom we actually have, in contrast to a lot of people around the world that can’t ever go out whenever they feel like it. Even when there isn’t a pandemic!
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FAST FORWARD 60 SOME ODD YEARS FROM NOW AS YOU’RE IN YOUR 80’S FEELING HAPPY WITH HOW THEY LIVED THEIR LIFE. WHAT WOULD THAT PERSON BE MOST PROUD OF?
I hope that by then I look back on a life full of love and friendship and that my life has been meaningful in many ways. Hopefully I will have had a positive influence on many people by then.
OF THE TALENTED ARTISTS, SONGWRITERS, AND PRODUCERS OUT THERE IS THERE SOMEONE YOU WOULD REALLY LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH NEXT?
I’m a major Justin Bieber fan, so I would love to write and maybe even perform with him one day. Also, I think Dua Lipa is an amazing artist, I absolutely love her songs it would be great to work with her songwriting team one day. And of course I’d love to write with Ed Sheeran, cause is there any song that he made that isn’t catchy?
AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM YOU FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2020?
My current single “Be” has recently been released, so they can expect at least one more single in 2020. Which I am super excited about!
IS THERE A CHARITY THAT MEANS A LOT TO YOU THAT YOU URGE OTHERS TO LOOK INTO? ANY PARTICULAR CONNECTION YOU HAVE TO IT?
Charities such as Greenpeace and WWF appeal the most to me, because it makes me sad to see defenseless animals being hurt or even extinct. Luckily these kind of organization try anything they can to prevent that. Therefore my family and me financially support them.
BÉE’S
SONGS OF THE SUMMER
- 1) JP Cooper “Too Close”
- 2) Joel Corry ft. MNEK “Head & Heart”
- 3) Lost Frequencies “Love to go”
- 4) Elias Boussnina “Summertime Blue”
- 5) Maroon 5 “Nobody’s Love”
Listen to all of our featured artist’s favorite songs of the summer on our special Spotify playlist.
Discover New Music
THE ‘NEXT IN MUSIC’ PLAYLIST
Discover a wide range of new music we love from artists located all across the world. Follow the ‘NEXT in Music’ playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
MUSIC IN 2020 INTERVIEW SERIES
WE INTERVIEWED MUSIC PROS AND TASTEMAKERS TO GET THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON WHERE MUSIC IS HEADED AND TO DISCOVER WHAT NEW MUSIC THEY’RE LISTENING TO.
