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 South African artist parlays collaboration with Dr. Dre into a bigger audience for solo work.

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Dr. Dre did the world another great favor when he gave people a taste of Candice Pillay’s sweet melodies on his Compton soundtrack this summer, where her singing was the yin to Dre, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem’s yang. Pillay’s voice—sugary vibes with an underlying toughness—is the highlight of her just-released EP The High, which features production from Radio & Alex The Kid, Dem Jointz and more.

The singer-songwriter, who has written songs for artists such as Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Sevyn Streeter and Tinie Tempah, talks to Myspace about her songwriting process, writing for Rihanna and meeting Dr. Dre.

Hometown: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Homebase: Los Angeles, California

You’re a singer and songwriter, but you also made a name for yourself writing for bigger acts. How did you end up writing for Rihanna?

I was signed to Bangladesh at the time. We were doing records for me at the time. I did a record with Dem Jointz called "Cockiness" which everyone thought would be perfect for Rihanna's album. She was looking for something special and we got it in right at the very end. That turned out to be my first placement!

What about meeting Dr. Dre and collaborating on his Compton project? I read somewhere that he reached out to you through Instagram. Is that true?

We didn't meet on Instagram! (Laughs.) I met Dre through his artist King Mez. I went to the studio to work with Mez and bumped into Dre in the hallway! True destiny, I believe. it was fate!

Your EP is called The High. Why is it called that and what themes were you working on while writing it?

It's really how I felt when I was making it. I had gone through some dark times in my life before this. Things really took a positive turn for me. I was on a constant high, I enjoyed every part of putting this project together and was hopeful that people would receive it well! I made these records in summer so it was a little brighter for me then my previous project The Mood Kill.

How do you describe your music to people who haven't heard it before?

Its really something you have to hear to understand. I wouldn't compare it to anything or anyone else because it is my own creation. Tailored from beat to melody, writing, concept and feel. Reviews called it "melancholic, dark and industrial. Cloudy, fiery, chilled, dangerously addictive and contagious.” So to describe all these feelings is kind of difficult for me, it's different, new and fresh!

Did you grow up around music? How did you know you wanted to write songs, sing and perform for others?

I was definitely influenced in my early days by my father, who played guitar. I started piano lessons at 10 and guitar at 13. Sang since I was 7 in Church. Gospel was my first taste of music as well as my dad's diverse music collection.

And I always knew I wanted to sing, I started very young.When I was 12 I had made my decision that that was all I wanted in life. The steps to get to my goal would be long and hard but I always knew it was what I wanted.

Writing was a different story. I kind of fell into writing. It was out of necessity. I needed songs to sing and no one else could write them for me but me! I always loved writing, English, history, art and drama were my favorite classes. Creative writing was my strong suit through high school. Come to think of it, my first job was working on a program in my home town where I taught music, art and English composition writing to kids.Still, I never thought of myself as a writer. I have definitely grown into it now and gotten into a groove.

What's your songwriting process like?

They call me melody girl. All I need is music and a mic! I freestyle write, lay my melodies first then replace them with words. I also beatbox and make vocal beats, which is super fun!

Do you remember the first song you ever wrote?

I think the first that I would regard as an "actual" complete song I wrote was called "In Her Head" "but underneath the sweet parade, a cover-up of heartbreak. It was written all over her face...." It was about a girl hiding her despair and unhappiness with a smile on her face, too afraid to change her situation.

 

How did you get into hip-hop? Was it super big in South Africa?

We didn't get as much hip hop music as people in the States did. We got the big crossover acts. I was always obsessed with rap though! I secretly wanted to be a rapper! I learned more about hip-hop when I moved to America.

Name your musical heroes.

There are so many. I listen to so many different genres of music. Growing up I listened to Whitney Houston, Mariah, Mary, Lauryn Hill, Aretha Franklin. I also listened to Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, Abba, Queen, lots of African and Indian artists. Hip hop has a long list for me, of course Dre, Snoop, Big, Pac, Jay.

My musical tastes have grown, there is so much music out here. I listen to Imogen Heap, Empire of the Sun, M83, Kavinsky, Chromatics and so many more. In rap, I love Schoolboy Q, Asap Rocky, Spark Master Tape to name a few... they are dope!

You must have a lot of rabid fans. What's the craziest thing a fan has done for you?

I love the art really! They create the most amazing drawings/paintings. I am a fan of art in general, so I love that! My fans ride for me, I don't see them as fans, I see them as family. Lots of them have been riding with me for years, and they have become close friends!

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