For North London’s rising neo-soul artist BaggE, music has always been a space to explore love, trust, and the complexities of human emotion. Her latest single, Can’t Be Judged, is no exception—a deeply introspective track that unpacks relationships, attraction, and the need to let go of control.
“I’ve learned so much about myself over the past year,” she shares. “This song is really about understanding that emotions are fluid, and love isn’t about possession—it’s about trust.”
Sonically, Can’t Be Judged fuses alternative R&B, neo-soul, and lo-fi textures, with BaggE’s hushed yet expressive vocals weaving effortlessly through jazz-inflected chords and deep, bass-heavy rhythms. But beyond the dreamy production, the track signals something deeper: the start of a refined, more sophisticated era in BaggE’s artistry.
In our conversation, she delves into the inspirations behind Can’t Be Judged, the influence of her British Congolese heritage, and why she sees herself filling an important gap in the UK’s alternative soul scene.
‘Can’t Be Judged’ unpacks trust and love in a world full of distractions. What sparked the idea for this track, and did writing it change your perspective on relationships?
Being a queer woman, I think I naturally have a really open mind. I also surround myself with open-minded people—many of them are also queer—so I’ve had tons of conversations with friends about open relationships, why they work for some people, and what that dynamic looks like. While it’s not for me, it got me thinking about my own relationship and how, in life, you can find yourself feeling something you don’t totally understand.
Like, if my girlfriend ever had a small feeling for someone else, I’d have to let go of that traditional, heteronormative way of looking at it. Instead of reacting with, “This hurts, so it must be wrong,” or “What’s wrong with me for you to do this?” I’d want to step back and say, “Okay, we all have emotions, and while this might sting, I need to try to understand you.” That’s a huge thing to comprehend, right?
Oh, for sure—it’s a very existential question. Do our emotions in romantic relationships take precedence over our partners’ very human experiences? You’ve called this one of your most personal releases. How does it reflect where you’re at emotionally and artistically right now?
I’ve definitely dealt with jealousy and insecurity in relationships before, but I realized it was mostly because I was in bad situations. Once I found myself in something secure and peaceful, I didn’t feel the need to be in control of everything anymore—I could just let go. That’s been a really personal lesson for me, and honestly, one of my favorite and proudest moments.
Your sound carries the warmth of ’70s and ’80s soul but still feels fresh and current. What’s your process for blending those influences into something uniquely BaggE?
Day to day, pretty much all I listen to is ’60s-’80s soul—it’s where I feel most at home. I’m a soft girl at heart, and the lyrics from that era are so vulnerable and deep. Nowadays, a lot of lyrics can feel a bit surface-level or just full of bitterness, like hating the person they’re singing about. But back then, it was more like, “You’ve broken my heart, but I can’t live without you, so please come back.” That kind of raw emotion really speaks to me, and I think I carry that same vulnerability and honesty into my own music.
Plus, I love a groovy beat, and let’s be real—the ’70s and ’80s absolutely killed that!
Being British Congolese, do you find that your heritage seeps into your music in unexpected ways?
100%—that’s my roots. The boldness in my music, my hair, my artwork, my confidence—it all ties together. Drums and bass are a huge part of every song I make, which is deep in the roots of Congolese music. Whenever I’m working with a producer, the first thing I say is, “The bass has to be heavy and have a groove.” Same with the drums. I can’t be dealing with any tippy-tappy drums—they need to have SOUL.
This new release signals a shift in your sound and direction. What does this next era of BaggE look and feel like?
More refined, more sophisticated—just deeper as a whole. My last release was two years ago, and since then, I’ve been shaping exactly how I want BaggE to be seen and heard.
Your music exudes self-assurance and emotional depth. Has songwriting always been a space for you to figure things out, or does it come from a place of knowing?
Music is my therapy. It’s weird because I don’t sit down, listen to a beat, and think, “Okay, I’m going to write about heartbreak or the weather.” I just start writing with nothing in my head, and then boom—I’ve got a whole song. And somehow, it’s exactly what I’ve been trying to express, even if I couldn’t figure it out or put it into words before.
Your visuals have a distinct mood—effortless but intentional. What’s your approach to crafting an aesthetic that aligns with your sound?
I think being independent my whole career has given me a clear vision of my journey and how I want it to progress, especially visually. I’ve always been drawn to old-school classics, and to me, the ’70s had some of the best artwork of any era—I take a lot of inspiration from that. When I listen to my tracks, I really try to make sure the artwork embodies the feeling of the song.
"Can’t Be Judged" carries the message that love isn’t about control; it’s about trust. What do you hope listeners take away from it?
Let feelings be feelings—don’t take them as facts. Don’t let your fears spill into your relationships, whether they’re platonic or romantic. It’s also about normalizing those random, unwarranted emotions that come up. Sometimes we feel things we don’t fully understand, but instead of condemning yourself or someone else for it, allow yourself or them to just feel it.
The UK alternative soul scene is thriving right now. Who are you excited about, and how do you see yourself carving out space within it?
One person who definitely stands out to me is Sasha Keable. She’s absolutely killing it right now, and she’s been putting in the work and honing her craft for years. It’s really exciting to see someone who’s put in all that effort finally start getting the recognition they deserve.
I also feel like there’s so much more space for UK soul to take up. It feels like the UK has fallen behind compared to the US when it comes to soul, and because of that, there’s a massive gap for me to fill.
With an EP on the way, what’s the bigger vision for your music? What do you want this era to say about you as an artist?
I just want to keep creating, keep doing what I love, and prosper with it. We all know how tough it is being a musician, so one day, being able to look back and say, “Rah, I did it!” would mean everything.
I also want to create a space where people—especially queer women and people of color—can be heard. There have been times when I’ve thought, “What’s wrong with me? Why do I feel this way?” and music has been my way to learn and understand myself. For those who can’t write music, I’d love to be the person who feels the same way they do—the one who puts it into words and helps them understand why they’re feeling a certain way.
And, of course, just making people bop their heads—haha!
