With Worricka’s unique, smoky vocal style, it’s no surprise that he receives high praise. He combines intensely autobiographical writing with a talent for fantastical and sometimes surreal wordplay, creating a distinctive approach to pop storytelling. Yet, after more than a decade into his career, he seems to be just getting started.

Hello, Worricka. Welcome to QX. Your music explores a variety of genres. What elements did you blend in your latest single, ‘Love Is Alone’?

Hi, thanks for having me. ‘Love Is Alone’ is a kind of haunting soul-pop with electronic elements.

The lyrics explore big heartbreak. Why do you think heartbreak is such an enduring storyline in this genre of music?

I think songs are either about life or love, so there happen to be so many love songs out there; it just seems to be a running theme globally. I think pain makes great art in general, but of course, songs are allowed to be happy, too, haha.

You wrote ‘Love Is Alone’ with your friend and producer, Craigie Dodds. How has this collaboration influenced your musical output?

Craigie is amazing at creating these electronic soundscapes; he also loves producing vocals, and I love how he has layered the harmonies in the chorus. We have done quite a few tracks together now, and he’s really good at bringing the more interesting lines out of me.

QX meets Worricka, queer singer, songwriter and artist ahead of his release Mesmerised, a duet with Boy George.

You’ve received tremendous accolades from people like Boy George and Nina Simone’s daughter, as well as great reviews in the music press. How do you feel when your music is so well received, and where do you think it will take you from here? Are more doors opening?

Erm. It feels very cool but also surreal, as I’m not really a known music artist. So, I sent a song to Nina Simone’s daughter, Lisa Simone, on Instagram many years ago. It’s one of my unreleased tracks, which is an ode to Nina. A couple of weeks later, I was walking out of Tottenham Court Road tube, and I received a reply saying, ‘I absolutely love it…Mom is smiling wide, and so am I,’ then I started balling my eyes out. Lisa then invited me to her jazz gig in London, where we met.

I plan to keep releasing music. I have a duet coming out with Boy George next month, and I’m also thinking to explore more dance music, but everything that’s coming next is rooted in soul.

I got really obsessed with writing and performing at about 14. I used to write soul/jazz songs with my old piano teacher, Mike Kenton; it was my first experience of improvising and discovering that I could sing soul. Then, at 16, I ended up going to The Brit School to study music.

Who are the musicians that have inspired your music?

I love Erykah Badu, Amy Winehouse, Sarah Vaughan, Jazmine Sullivan, and Chaka Khan. I’m currently in love with Mariah’s new single, ‘Type Dangerous,’ I’m an official lamb.

What do you like to do when you’re not performing? Do you ever go to queer venues, and if so, which are your favourite places to hang out?

I’m always out in gay venues. I live in Soho, so I’m always a little too close to a bar. Atm I love Comptons, Circa, Ku, and Arch Clapham, but I go to most. I also love Eagle and a cheeky G-A-Y visit.

What do you have coming up?

I’m just casually releasing a duet with one of the world’s most iconic musicians – Boy George. It’s called ‘Mesmerised’ and it’s about the first moments of infatuation when you meet someone on the dance floor in a club …. It’s giving me a bit of Amy Winehouse – Rehab, a bit of Bowie – Let’s Dance and a bit of Prince on the high notes … and of course a bit of us.
Worricka

‘Mesmerised’, my duet with Boy George, is out on the 14th of July. George and Kinky Roland have also done a house remix of it, which will come after, and then I have a dance collaboration on the way, too.