Canadian star hails Calvin Harris as 'f****** legend'

Glasgow Times

4 days ago

After being introduced to the guitar at a young age, Jessie Reyez has grown into one of the most exciting talents in R&B and Soul today.
(Image: Picture credit: Miranda Escoto) Her second EP Being Human in Public was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards and she has co-written Dua Lipa's One Kiss, and now Reyez is moving from strength to strength, and is building quite the résumé for herself.
'This is something I have always dreamt about,' Reyez tells the Glasgow Times.
She continues: 'Every time I am on stage, and I have a moment of pure presence – which happens every now and then – I am like 'Holy f****** s***'. I dreamt of doing this as a kid.
'I remember dreaming of being on stages and singing to thousands of people, and the fact I have been able to bring that dream to fruition for my inner child – that is something that is not lost on me.'
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Something else that isn't lost on the singer is working with her pal, Calvin Harris.
The pair have written and recorded multiple songs together over the last few years, including One Kiss and Hard To Love, which featured on Harris' album, Funk Wave Sounds Vol 1.
(Image: Image: Newsquest) Talking about her love of Scottish accents, the Canadian-born star said she wanted to get better at it before her Glasgow show on September 14.
And her plan? To watch Shrek and get pointers from Harris, of course.
The 34-year-old said: 'I love that guy, he's so lit.
'Every time I work with him, I learn something. He's a f****** certified legend. He's a master of what he does.'
She continued: 'There's something to be said about being in the room with someone that you trust, because there's a different liquidity to the room, it flows differently.
'I'm so stoked every time I get to work with him, especially because he is not just a collaborator, he's legitimately my friend. It's an honour to get to continually work with someone who is my boy, my bro.'
We went on to chat about the viral TikTok video, which saw Harris ranting after DJ Nick Bracegirdle, also known as Chicane, accused him of copying the opening chords to his 30-year-old hit, Offshore.
DJ Sam Sax remixed the foul-mouthed rant with the opening of Harris's track, Blessings.
The piece repeats on a loop as Harris says: "You stupid b*****d. One, you didn't invent the guitar. Two, yeah, it's not the same.'
Speaking on the video, Reyez said: 'I love that rant, it tickles me so much. It's so good.
'Scottish rage has such an elegance. It needs to be studied.'
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Reyez's Glasgow show – which will take place at the O2 Academy – comes as part of her Paid In Memories Tour.
'Glasgow is fun, I can't wait to come back,' Jessie said.
The tour follows the release of Reyez's new album of the same name, which Jessie said is her first sober album.
She added: 'I have just gotten better as an artist. Not to sound pompous, but I have just gotten better at objectively critiquing myself.
'I'm still in vocal lessons and I'm still a student of the game, so I feel I get better with every album.'
She continued: 'Being sober as well, my body is paying me back with consistency and flow – and that is what people can expect from the upcoming shows.
'They can also expect a better performer and to come to my show and make memories.'
Tickets for the O2 Academy Glasgow show are still available to purchase.
To grab tickets, visit Ticketmaster.