With over 100 million streams and a genre-blending sound that weaves between R&B, folk, and soul, SOLOMON has quickly cemented himself as one of the UK’s most exciting musical storytellers. From his early days strumming an old, string-missing guitar passed down by his mum to viral moments on TikTok and a subway jam session in New York, his journey has been anything but conventional. Fresh off the announcement of his upcoming nine-track project HONEYCOATED, SOLOMON opens up about the evolving nature of his songwriting, the influence of digital platforms, and what it means to truly connect through music. We caught up with the fast-rising artist to talk creativity, vulnerability, and the start of a much bigger story.

1. Can you tell us about your journey into music? What first sparked your passion, and how did that evolve into the artist you are today?

My mum had an old classical guitar she’d kept from when she was growing up. I’m pretty sure it had a string or two missing. Anyways, when I was about 8/9, she taught me the only three chords she knew and I RAN with them. I’d started piano lessons that year at school and as soon as I picked up guitar, Mum tells me I “dropped piano like a hot potato.” From that point I just remember learning a load of chords, singing and playing along to songs I liked, which led me to start writing my own when I hit 16. In 2021 I started live-streaming and posting snippets of my original songs on social media, especially TikTok and Instagram, which really began to move the needle.

2. Considering the significant role TikTok has played in your career, how has the platform influenced your songwriting or the way you present your music? Have you found that audience feedback on social media shapes your creative process?

It always impressed me that people could become so attached or invested in such small segments of a song, which in some ways made my writing more poignant. Part of me thinks, the less time I have to get your attention, the more striking the lyrics have to be in order to catch you enough to make you want to stay. I also released a mini tape of super short voice memos (essentially samples) so in some ways, it inspired me to think about an entirely new way of releasing music. Having said all this, some of my best and favourite songs are pretty long and slow. They tell a true story you have to sit and really dive into. A number of those are my all-time favourite songs written to date.

3. Your music spans various genres, from R&B to folk. How do you approach blending different musical styles, and what challenges or freedoms does this genre fluidity present in your creative journey?

I don’t feel a need to blend them much. I’m currently trying to set myself up in a way that I can use different EPs/projects to explore a variety of sounds by creating contrasting worlds for them to all live in. It excites me to be a versatile artist; however, at the same time as I enjoy being fluid or “genre-less” I’m aware there’s a balance and a fine line between doing whatever you want and people knowing exactly what they’re getting from you.

4. You’ve mentioned that your songs often feel like personal letters. How do you balance vulnerability with privacy in your lyrics, and has this approach evolved as your audience has grown?

I like that it’s immersive. It’s almost like a movie where you’re just thrown into the deep end from the first shot, or snooping on someone’s journal you’re not meant to be reading; except it’s meant for consumption. Vulnerability gives people something to relate to and hold on to. We all have vulnerabilities and part of finding your true people might require them finding out a bit more about them. I also love storytelling. Sometimes a song is inspired by my personal experience or sometimes I’ll just put myself in the shoes of someone who may be going through a particular situation, to better understand and convey how they might feel and what they may say or do.

5. Reflecting on your spontaneous New York subway performance, how do impromptu live experiences compare to planned concerts in terms of energy and audience connection?

That was a very spur-of-the-moment thing. I did it again with a saxophonist in Vegas more recently. It’s definitely fun but it can also feel vulnerable presenting yourself to people in such a way! It’s like smashing music together with everyday life. Anything can happen; you never know what may stem from a moment like that.

6. You’ve collaborated with artists like Kojey Radical and have been sampled by BROCKHAMPTON. Are there any emerging or established artists you aspire to work with, and what qualities do you look for in a collaborative partner?

I think it means a lot when people show genuine interest, love and appreciation. Real recognise real and it’s nice for us as artists to be sticking together and giving each other the nod. I feel like the best collaborations come out of people who really value each other and have massive respect for one another.

As HONEYCOATED prepares to usher fans into a rich new chapter of SOLOMON’s sonic universe, it’s clear this isn’t just another release—it’s a mission statement. With raw honesty, genre-defying fluidity for both storytelling and community, SOLOMON is crafting more than songs; he’s building a world. Whether through a screen, a subway station, or a stage, one thing remains certain: this is only the beginning of the tale.