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Interview with
ESI

(17th December 2025)

Interview with Dave Bruce

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Have you always wanted to be an artist? When did you get the song writing bug?
YESSSSS! Ever since I was little I knew exactly what I wanted to do. In terms of writing I actually started with writing poetry at a very young age and that became my foundation for the songs I’ve written.

Briefly describe your journey to date.
I started in the church choir because my dad noticed I could sing every song that came on the radio before I could even read (I started reading at 3 lol). Then after highschool, I decided – this is something I actually wanted to make a career out of. I began reaching out to people , putting out music and visuals… and now I’m doing things like opening up for Victony and performing for ARIAS events.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think fans resonate with your music?
My sound is MOST DEFINITELY R&B, through and through.
My fans will resonate with my music because I speak on things they relate to – heartache, breakups, glow ups.
My girls can relate to this for sure !

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today? 
I could be here all day answering this question!
But to cut it short – Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child, Brandy and every gospel song I’ve ever come across inspires me HEAVILY.
As an artist I think it’s important to get inspired by any and everything.
So don’t be surprised if I come out with something super different soon. wink face emoji

Your latest single ‘BEGGING’ has just been released! What’s it all about? Describe its origin and evolution. 
BEGGING is about the stages of grief!
It starts off with Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression – pleading with the person who you THINK is the love of your life to act right and be the person you need them to be. You see that they are drifting away from you but you’re trying to make your last efforts of salvaging a relationship that is already on its way out.
AND THEN we reach the Acceptance stage
And we free ourselves from a love that could of been and find the best love – within ourself.
The origin really started off as a basic day in the studio; when Aztec Flow and myself were going through beats.
I heard the BEGGING beat and it reminded me of a previous heartbreak I went through and how I felt and then I entered a flow state!

Is there an EP or Album on the drawing board?
Absolutely! I’m working on an EP right now 😌

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What tours and events are coming up? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
I’ve actually been selected to do a music masterclass in January! I can’t speak too much on it at the moment but it’s going to be epic.
The visuals for BEGGING are also right around the corner.

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why? 
If I could perform with any artist, alive or dead it would HAVE to be Beyonce – she’s a huge reason I do what I do today and my stage presence came from studying her and Destiny’s child. Their precision, their commitment to the art and getting it right was my first teacher and still carries me to this day.

What are your long-term aspirations as a music artist and how are you progressing towards them?
I want to start touring ! Doing my own headlining shows and opening for local/international acts. Make a couple albums and do fashion collabs 😍
This year has been full of great shows and fashion moments so I’m building my portfolio and showing everyone what I can do on the stage.

With that in mind, what piece of advice would you give to an artist starting out? 
There is NO time to be afraid of being ‘cringe’ – you have one shot to give it your all so go for it fully! Doing this half-a$$ isn’t cute and we can tell.
Fans/audiences gravitate to the artists who love what they do and show it !

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
The best thing is the interaction! I can get the crowd to do a call and respond with me, I can dance/sing with someone in the crowd.

Performing live also gives you the opportunity to experiment with your songs.
I’ve done so MANY awesome shows! But my highlights are Sydney Fringe Festival, opening for the afrobeats artist Victony and The Black Music Alliance x ARIAS showcase. 

Now for some quickfire questions to get a little personal:
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done? Put a HUGE live snake around my neck
What is the one topic you can talk about for hours? MUSIC History 
What is the thing you like most about yourself? My tenacity, I’m wired to NEVER give up

Finally, let’s find out what your current (or all time) favorites are –
Album – Currently – Over it by Summer Walker 
Artist – Beyonce
Movie – Titanic 
Place to visit – GHANA
Venue to play – Machine Hall
Food – Ghanaian Jollof/Thai Cashew Nut Noodles 
Drink – Water 
Person in History – My Mum & Dad
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) I don’t have any but if i did it’d probably be a heart because of how much I love love LOL

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About ESI

Esi (FKA Mawuli) is an emerging Afro-Aussie R&B artist based in Sydney. With a passion for woman empowerment, the Ghanaian Australian exhibits her art through music, fashion and dance. Esi has been singing and part of a church choir from a very young age. She recently shared the stage with Nigeria’s very own Victony and performed with Mike Champion, Yawdoesitall, Boom Child, The Showman (Mike Akox) and for the JD x Nike showcase. Vice Artist Spotlight listed her stage presence to be boisterous and free. With such confidence on stage it’s no doubt that her possibility is endless. Last month Esi showcased at the Black Music Alliance x ARIAS Sound Session, this month she brings us her second single of the year ‘BEGGING’, with an EP in the works.

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About BEGGING

Begging takes us on a journey of love, heartbreak, grief and LETTING GO. Esi is baring her soul, putting her heart on her sleeve, attempting to save an inevitable end. With r&b harmonies reminiscent of Brandy and Kehlani, beautiful strings and traditional piano. However, the song takes a turn for the better – She’s over it, she’s claiming all her love back and is back OUTSIDE!

Add “BEGGING” to your playlists on Spotify and Apple Music

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Follow ESI
Spotify – Instagram – Tik Tok

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Press Release 8th December 2025 (below) HERE

ESI
learns the power
of letting go in
‘BEGGING’

Listen HERE

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AMNPLIFY – DB