Hil St. Soul doesn’t just make music — she makes moments you feel. The single “Nasalifya” is gratitude turned into song, a journey through love, loss, and reflection, all wrapped in the kind of soul that hits deep. Rooted in her Zambian beginnings and shaped by life in London, every note, every lyric, every harmony carries heart, history, and hope.
This isn’t just an album — it’s a statement, a full-circle celebration of life, family, and the legacies that guide us. In this conversation, Hil takes us behind the music, sharing the stories, the emotions, and the purpose driving every track. Honest, real, and full of soul, this is Hil St. Soul at her most powerful — music you don’t just hear, you feel.
Parlé Mag: Can you tell us what inspired your new single, “Nasalifya,” and its deeply personal meaning?
Hil St. Soul: Nasalifya means thank you in my mother’s language. The song pours out my heart in harmony. Firstly, it’s a tribute to my late dad. In addition to that, it’s a love letter to my day ones — family, friends, and everyone who has supported, believed in, and grown with me. It’s also an ode to the trailblazers, movers and shakers, fire starters, visionaries, history makers, and pioneers. In a nutshell, it’s about life, love, and gratitude.
Parlé Mag: How did your father’s passing influence the creation of this album, especially the title track?
Hil St. Soul: When I started recording the project, I didn’t have a title for it. “Nasalifya” is a song I started writing midway through the project. When my dad transitioned, I struggled to complete it, as I would become very emotional and break down when attempting to record my vocals, so I parked it to one side. When the album was 99% complete, I somehow found the strength to finish the song. It was the last song I finished recording for the project. It became very symbolic to me, hence why I decided to call the album Nasalifya as well — as a tribute to my wonderful dad.
After my dad’s passing, I became more reflective. This influenced and shaped the whole direction of the album. I feel as though his spirit is interwoven in this body of work.
He was one of my biggest cheerleaders and is the reason I love music so much and became a musician. He loved music and always played music around the house. Dad was music. The house was always filled with music because of him. The music I grew up listening to because of him has become the soundtrack to my life, and a lot of the music he’d play reminds me of him.
Parlé Mag: You chose to work with producer Regi Myrix on this entire project. Why was that decision important to you?
Hil St. Soul: The decision to work with Regi was an organic one. Regi reached out to me to write songs for his project, and some of those songs became part of my project. The last album was never scheduled as an album. It was a combination of different songs and projects – some of which had been released as singles – that built into an album.
The decision to work entirely with Regi was important to me because I wanted to create a project that was sonically cohesive and seamless, and to write an album with purpose and intention so the narrative runs right through. Regi’s production provided the perfect landscape, soundscape, and backdrop for my songs.
There’s a constant narrative of positivity, growth, and truth. There is a spirituality and a release of positive energy.
Parlé Mag: How do you see your role as an artist in today’s ever-changing music landscape?
Hil St. Soul: In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing musical landscape, I see myself as a link between the old and the new. My role is to enlighten, brighten, and lighten the load, uplift, heal, teach, share, and impart knowledge. I see myself as a beacon of light in a sometimes dark world.
Parlé Mag: Your music blends classic soul with contemporary sounds. How do you balance tradition and innovation?
Hil St. Soul: For me, classic soul music has always been the foundation of what I do. Interwoven into that is all the music I’ve listened to and grown up with. The music I create sums up everything that has influenced me, with a big helping of me. I balance tradition and innovation by taking what I’ve learned musically in the past and incorporating it with my own vibe and style, melding it together to create something that’s uniquely me.
Parlé Mag: What has been your most memorable moment in your long and successful career so far?
Hil St. Soul: It’s very difficult to pick a specific moment, as there have been so many important ones. One that stands out for me was sharing the stage with the greats like James Brown and D’Angelo at the beginning of my career. Being able to travel to different parts of the world and witness the impact my music has had has been amazing.
Parlé Mag: Growing up in Zambia and then moving to London, how have your cultural influences shaped your music?
Hil St. Soul: My music has always been rooted in soul. Growing up in an African [Zambian] household, I also listened to soul music, gospel, and traditional Zambian music, which boldly expressed feeling and emotion. The family home is right next to a Catholic church, so the sound of the church choir always filtered through into our home, even to this day. This formed much of the soundtrack to my daily life. I’ve listened to an eclectic array of music, and this melting pot of rhythm and sound has subconsciously influenced some of my creations.
Parlé Mag: What message do you hope your new album conveys to your listeners?
Hil St. Soul: I hope my new album conveys a message of hope and optimism, especially in these chaotic times we’re currently living in. There are songs on there that make you think, songs that make you feel, songs that provide comfort, songs that uplift, songs that make you reflect, and songs that make you bob your head. In essence, there’s a song there for every mood and feeling. There is a message in every song and something for everyone. I hope my gift brings enlightenment, joy, healing, and spirituality. I want to be a beacon of light to the darkness. My music is all about lifting people’s spirits.
Parlé Mag: What’s next for you after this release?
Hil St. Soul: More music! I’m working on new music as we speak. I would like to explore other creative avenues. My music belongs on the live stage, so I would love to do a world tour with my band. One of the things I would like to do in the future is record a live album. I would love to work in filmmaking and score music, using my songs in films, TV, and commercials. I would love to record a live album with an orchestra, similar to artists such as Curtis Mayfield. His music lent itself to musical scores, so I would love to do the same. I would love to collaborate and work with other creatives and artists and share the stage with them.
Parlé Mag: Do you have any final words for your fans and new listeners?
Hil St. Soul: I’ll keep it simple — to my day ones… NASALIFYA, and to the new listeners, welcome to the party!
Stay Connected with Hil St. Soul
Instagram: @hilstsoul
