Rakiyah’s Korean-Infused R&B Defies Expectations

Over the last few years, R&B has seen an insurgence of artists who are not afraid to take the genre — its melodrama, the pining over men who ain’t shit or its lush beats —  and elevate it by infusing innovative and experimental aspects to the timeless music style. Some choose electronica (think FKA Twigs, Tinashe or NAO) and others take a more modern route with hyper-pop (PinkPantheress) or pop punk (Willow Smith). Singer-songwriter Rakiyah has an ethereal and ambitious approach to her music. And she infuses her futuristic R&B with Korean— but only sometimes.

“It’s funny because if you’d asked me a few years ago what my future plans looked like, I would’ve never said 'to be a musical artist.' My life’s long passions, since I was a little girl, were rooted in math and sciences, and I predictably attended college as an engineering major. I dabbled in music a little bit during my earlier years in college but it wasn’t until I studied abroad in South Korea in 2018, when I really started to explore my love for creating music,” Rakiyah tells Unbothered via email.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Rakiyah spent her childhood devouring R&B and hip-hop. “Thanks to my mom, I grew up loving artists like Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, TLC, Missy Elliot, Janet Jackson and other artists from similar eras,” she says. And over the course of her music career, from her first EP, 2018’s Mango Tree to her latest singles 1-800-MLKYWAY and Lay U Down Again, Rakiyah’s music employs a smooth sensuality and intimacy that is emblematic of the artists she was raised on.

Rakiyah was an aeronautical engineer— a literal rocket scientist! — before pivoting to music full-time when her first brush with the Korean language came in the form of a Korean drama. “A co-worker had referred the K-drama Boys Over Flowers to me and was hooked! Fascinated by the language, I decided to teach myself Korean and because I wanted to document my language studying experience, I started my YouTube channel Let’s Talk Korean (now Rakiyah In Space) in 2016,” Rakiyah says.

Staff at her university, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, caught wind of this and she was awarded a scholarship to continue her engineering studies at Hangyang University in Seoul, South Korea as an exchange student. Looking back, Rakiyah says her time spent in Seoul was filled with many self-reflective moments as well as some challenges. “One of the most important things I learned from the experience was loving myself. I was a Black woman in a homogeneous society. I didn’t fit into the ideal Korean beauty standard and faced moments where I felt different in every way,” she says. “But that only helped me feel more confident in who I am. I was able to express myself through fashion and makeup, and experience a whole new culture. Being able to speak Korean helped with my assimilation and I made some amazing friends. Korea will forever have some of my best memories.”

Rakiyah’s decision to incorporate Korean into her music was a way for her to experiment, challenge herself and in some ways ruminate over the impactful time she had in Korea. Rakiyah sought the help of her good friend Geum Hee Yoo, to co-write the Korean verse on her first Korean/English song Like You (which was originally written and sung in English). “I wanted to focus on my pronunciation as much as possible rather than my natural style of singing. I wanted to be sure that if I was going to do this, I would do it right and respectfully. For my first time trying, the overall feedback was amazing. Korean listeners were pleasantly surprised to find out I was Black and utterly impressed!”

Later, on the song The Invitation — her second Kor/Eng song — Rakiyah collaborated with Korean indie R&B artist J.cob to positive reception. Still, Rakiyah is unsure of how often she will sing in Korean. “I’m proud of myself for pushing the boundaries and envelope. I’m still singing my cultural music and genre, just in a different language. There are no limits to who you are or what you want to do. Even if the world is sadly screaming ‘no’ at you.”

Rakiyah has written for SM Entertainment, home to K-pop stars like SHINee, Red Velvet, EXO and Aespa. However, she is purposeful about the way she defines herself in the music industry — do not call her a K-pop artist. Rakiyah is adamant that she is not a Black woman doing K-pop, but a Black R&B artist singing in Korean. “I like to make the distinction that I’m not a K-pop artist because that’s the truth. Although I’ve released two R&B songs with Korean verses, I primarily release English R&B music. K-pop is often used as a blanket term for any and all things that are related to Korean language or culture. Singing in Korean is a unique part of my story but not the only aspect of my identity as an artist,” she says.

Rakiyah is clear about her musical identity and next, she is gearing up to drop the much anticipated visuals for her song Naughty x Nature and her new single Care For Me When I Call as she prepares for her upcoming EP, The Cosmic Queen. The latter is a project that Rakiyah says she is excited for her fans (nicknamed the Rockets) to hear as it promises to be an elevation of the futuristic and dreamy sound she’s known for. “I don’t think I could ever forget my past with sciences or my love for sci-fi. So, you’ll see them in my future work as well, as I continue to step up my creativity.”

Part of that creativity is standing firm in the space Rakiyah hopes to fill in the music industry. While her music and brand incorporate some of the elements we’ve come to associate with Korean artists (photocards, official fandom colors etc.), she’s focused on making sure her Rockets find a safe space or a sense of community in their fandom. “Black people have come a long way and still have ways to go when it comes down to representation in various spaces and industries. Not seeing yourself in a space, or readily accepted into one, can be discouraging. I know the feeling all too well. So, if I can be that representation or provide a safe space for other Black women in my fandom, then that’s what I’ll continue to do.”