As a child, Amy Kabba, better known as A*M*E, fled a war-torn Sierra Leone and moved to London where she discovered The Backstreet Boys, *NSync and Destiny’s Child. And she’s not embarrassed to admit she’s still a fan of Nineties pop. The 18-year-old will be releasing her debut album later this year, but in the meantime, the BBC Sound of 2013 nominee (she lost out to sister-band, Haim) opens up about her crush on Rihanna and the power of a bold lip.
As a new artist, is it difficult deciding on what your image will be?
You have to appear with a certain look, which is difficult because it’s almost impossible to think of something that hasn’t been done. But as a person, you grow and your style is going to change. My style is bold and bright. I once wore this Shara Hayz body suit with frosty shoulder pads that was so incredible. I wear a lot of pieces that are like, ‘POW!’ I like to take risks, and being a darker skin tone, bright clothes and accessories work well on me.
Given the chance, whose closet would you raid?
Rihanna’s. I’ve got the biggest style crush on her. She wears a lot of things most people wouldn’t dare to wear and she rocks them great. I think we’ve got pretty similar tastes so I think I could find some really nice outfits!
You moved to London from Sierra Leone as a child. Why did you leave?
My family fled the war and moved to London in the hope of a better life. I was really young so I don’t remember too much, other than that it was really hot!
Click through to see the building blocks of her style:
