Dutch-Caribbean artist Naomi Sharon burst onto the global music scene in 2023 as the first female signee to Drake’s record label, OVO Sound. The singer-songwriter turned heads with her debut album Obsidian, which, much like its namesake gemstone, delved into the inherent strength of transformation and healing. Smooth vocals grounded in R&B roots are at the heart of Sharon’s sound and shine through on her latest release, The Only Love We Know.
Her new EP is marked by radical independence and self-acceptance, with evocative lyricism and heartfelt vocals taking centre stage. This new chapter sees Sharon drawing on the wisdom of the past while letting go of what no longer serves her. She explores the power of duality – grief and beauty, peace and expansion – guided by intuition and a strength that is both unwavering and embraces softness.
The singer-songwriter took to the stage at Cross The Tracks festival in London last month. In our conversation, we look ahead to her upcoming tour, as well as delving into her creative process, personal style, artistic influences, and mindset.
Your new EP embraces leaning into self-love and independence. Were there any pivotal moments that inspired you to explore these themes?
Absolutely. I think reclaiming your softness after chaos is a radical act. For me, self-love wasn’t this loud declaration. It was quiet, almost sacred. It came after moments where I had nothing left to give anyone else but still had to find a way to pour into myself. This EP came out of that space. It’s about choosing yourself, not just as a statement but as a daily practice.
Connecting with your fans is a priority for you. What do you want them to take away from this latest release?
That healing isn’t linear. That you can hold grief and beauty in the same breath. I want them to feel seen, especially in the in-between moments we rarely talk about. If someone listens and feels less alone then the music has done its job.
What does your creative process look like and did anything change or evolve while working on this EP?
I still start everything from feeling. A sentence, an image, a memory that won’t leave me alone, and then I build from there. This time I allowed more spontaneity. Less perfection, more intuition. I worked in a state of flow and tried not to control the outcome too much, which felt liberating. At the same time I was intentional about the structure. I wanted the songs to breathe emotionally but also land with impact, to give each track the foundation of something big.
When you look ahead to your upcoming tour are there any venues you’re particularly excited to play and why?
New York City feels like a heartbeat to me. There’s something about that city, the way it listens and the way it responds, that makes every show feel electric. I’ve grown a lot since the last time I performed there so returning with this new body of work feels personal. At the same time I’m looking forward to the vibrance of cities like Washington DC and Chicago. Each one brings its own rhythm and energy. It’s the beauty of touring really. Every night becomes its own universe.
You’re known for your iconic monochromatic pared-back aesthetic. Who are some of your style icons and how has your style developed over the years?
Rick Owens and Yohji Yamamoto have both shaped the way I think about silhouette and presence. But honestly, my style comes from years of studying catwalks, drawing, and designing my own pieces. It’s deeply personal. I’ve always been drawn to structure and mood. Minimalism that says something without needing to raise its voice.
You’ve previously spoken about being a Pisces and your debut album was named after the protective stone Obsidian. How does spirituality influence your music and shape your identity?
Spirituality is the undercurrent of everything I create. As a Pisces I live in the in-between. Reality and dream, flesh and feeling. Stones, water, cycles, silence. They all speak to me. I see music as a ritual, a place to alchemise emotion. It’s less about performance and more about offering.
Growing up in Rotterdam are there any experiences or anecdotes that encapsulate your childhood and how it shaped you?
I remember the rain. The long bike rides. The feeling of being in between cultures and always translating myself in some way. Rotterdam taught me strength without noise. It taught me to listen before speaking. That contrast shaped me. The softness within structure, the poetry in the concrete.
Are there any artists songs or albums you’ve been listening to on repeat lately?
Lately I’ve been listening to Maria Mk.gee, Maeta, Sting, Eva Cassidy, and Black Sabbath. I’m drawn to artists who create space in their sound. There’s a depth and honesty in their music that pulls me in without needing to explain itself.
When you’re not creating where do you go mentally or physically to recharge and reconnect with yourself?
Water. Always water. A long bath. A walk by the ocean. Or just silence and stillness with incense burning. I need solitude to come back to myself. That’s when the noise clears and I remember what matters.
When you look to the future are there any producers or artists you dream of working with?
I would love to work with Maria Mk.gee, Maeta, Sting, and Eva Cassidy if she were still with us. Each of them brings something raw and intentional to their sound that really resonates with me. I’m also open to energy-led collaborations that feel aligned in the moment. It has to feel honest and rooted in something real.
To finish in a recent interview you mentioned embracing change and transformation. What do you hope this next chapter will bring?
Peace. Expansion. And deeper connection. I hope to keep evolving without losing the softness. I’m shedding old versions of myself but holding onto the lessons. This next chapter feels like a rebirth. Not loud, just real.
