| Background: | group_or_band |
| Landscape: | yes |
| Origin: | Brooklyn, New York |
| Genre: | Psychedelic soul |
| Years Active: | 2019–present |
| Label: | Colemine/Karma Chief Records |
| Current Members: | Piya Malik, Sabrina Mileo Cunningham, Nya Gazelle Brown |
| Website: | saysheshe.com |
Say She She is a female-led band based out of Brooklyn, New York. They are led by Piya Malik (formerly of El Michels Affair and Chicano Batman), Sabrina Mileo Cunningham, and Nya Gazelle Brown, all classically trained singers.[1] [2]
Their music, self-described as "discodelic soul" with "dreamy harmonies," prominently combines disco and 70s funk, among other influences.[3] The group cites Nile Rodgers and Chic as major influences on their sound.[4]
Malik and Cunninghamn originally met as neighbors in the same apartment building. Both professional singers, they could hear each other practicing and eventually struck up a friendship.[5] That relationship transformed at a house party in Harlem when the two were joined by Brown for a spontaneous rooftop singing session.
Shortly after, the trio began writing music together. They were soon collaborating with musicians from Orgōne, The Dap-Kings, The Shacks, and Chicano Batman.
In 2022, their debut album Prism was released on independent label Karma Chief/Colemine Records. The work received a positive review from The Guardian, giving it five out of five stars and calling it a "delightful place to visit for half an hour."[6]
On Feb. 4, 2023, CBS Saturday Morning aired the band's first televised appearance.[7] Later in November, returning to CBS for a follow-up interview with Anthony Mason, they were surprised by a video from their inspiration Nile Rodgers, who told them he was pleased to hear them making music inspired by his group in such "an organic way."
Their sophomore album Silver was released Sept. 29, 2023.[8] [9] The album was positively reviewed by public radio station KCRW who ranked it the top album of 2023.[10] WXPN named them the Artist to Watch in October,[11] and KEXP placed it in the top 20 of its year-end album review.[12]
They toured throughout 2023, performing in Europe and America, including the Glastonbury Festival[13] and the Hollywood Bowl.[14]