It’s time to meet Sofia Gillani! The indie pop artist from the UK prides herself in creating a fearless sound that constantly evolves, yet stays true to her desires. From songwriting to production, and from visuals to production, Sofia is fully involved in every step of the process. Having developed a love for the arts at a young age, Sofia naturally entered the musical theater world at just nine years old. Performing on stage in this manner inspired her to write her own music, and since 2020, she’s been sharing her songs with the world online and at various festivals throughout the UK.
In her new single “Don’t Forget Yourself,” Sofia can be found rapping over a lively track that features elements of drill music. Her bold attitude can be easily felt as she encourages listeners to live authentically and to resist the pressures created by society.
Read below to learn more about “Don’t Forget Yourself” straight from Sofia!
Walk us through the journey of how “Don’t Forget Yourself” came together!
“Don’t Forget Yourself” came together from a very personal place. The song is about that moment when you realise you’ve been trying too hard to fit into other people’s expectations and you need to remind yourself who you really are. I wanted the track to feel energetic and uplifting, but still have an emotional message underneath it. Once the melody and lyrics started coming together, the song really found its own identity. It’s one of those songs where I hope people can hear themselves in the lyrics and take their own meaning from it.
“Don’t Forget Yourself” is about the importance of remaining authentic. What are some of the ways you stay true to yourself, especially in an era where many artists feel the need to fit a certain mold?
I think it’s very easy as an artist to look around and think, “Is this what I should be doing?” Social media can make you feel like everyone else is moving faster or has already figured everything out. I try to remind myself that there’s no point in becoming a version of someone else just because it seems to be working for them. I want my music, visuals and performances to feel like me. I’m still discovering who I am as an artist, and I actually think that’s exciting. I’d rather grow naturally than force myself into a box.
Would you say your background in musical theatre influenced the artist you are today?
Definitely. Musical theatre taught me so much about storytelling, performance and connecting with an audience. It showed me that singing isn’t just about having a good voice — it’s about making people feel something and communicating a story. Theatre also gave me confidence on stage and taught me the importance of performance, movement and expression. I think those experiences are still a big part of who I am as an artist today, even though I’m now exploring my own sound and identity through original music.
What are some songs, albums or artists you’re currently obsessed with?
I’m always listening to a mixture of things because I love discovering new sounds. I’m really drawn to artists who have a strong identity and aren’t afraid to experiment. I love RAYE for the honesty and incredible musicianship, Adele for the atmosphere and individuality, and Charli XCX for constantly pushing pop in exciting directions. I also love Beyoncé because of the level of artistry, performance and attention to detail she brings to everything she does.
At the moment, I’m especially interested in music that feels emotional but still makes you want to move — that balance is something I’d love to explore more in my own music.