Acclaimed singer and songwriter Qymira is on the road to global success. Following explosive success in Brazil, Qymira is set to captivate global audiences again with her latest single, ‘Wait for No One’. 

With her empowering anthems and alluring presence, Qymira undoubtedly shines as a musician, songwriter and recording artist - but at the heart of her work, also lies her passion for philanthropy, to support children across the globe through the One Gaia Foundation.

We recently spoke with Qymira about her music, journey, and philanthropic efforts.

Your empowering new single, ‘Wait for No One’, is available to listen to and stream on all music platforms right now. If you could describe the song in three words, what would it be?

Awakening, Self-Love, Emancipation

The song is a powerful, empowering anthem infused with Samba flair. How would you describe the message behind ‘Wait for No One?’

First of all, thank you, it’s amazing to be called a powerful anthem. This song started as a note to myself to own my life. And I hope that it will resonate with everyone, not just females. 

All too often we rely on others for our happiness. We get into relationships thinking our partners will “complete” us, make us happy, fulfill us. And many of us have overstayed our welcome as we hope things will change even when our hearts are cracked bit by bit every day. “Wait For No One” is about telling ourselves that we are responsible for our joy, it’s time to wake up and step up for ourselves before anyone else.

How would you describe your sound and musical style? Do you have any predominant musical influences?

I feel like a bartender creating colourful cocktails sometimes. Of course, it depends on my mood, feelings and experiences of the time, but it’s always eclectic with loads of contrasts. I often marry different styles of music and culture that I’ve had the joy to live in my creations because I feel that fusion creates magic. 

My influences come from my musical background. My classical training and experience with the orchestra from a young age enables me to express with my piano, and violin and compose music that is both melodically and harmonically driven. The RnB influences make me create rhythmic melodies with soulful chords. Add a dash of Latin spice sometimes and you have a fusion menu that’s a bit of a feast for the senses. 

When did your passion for music begin - have you always been musical? 

I would say my passion in music began pretty much ever since I could walk. I was born into a very musical environment, with my Mom being a music teacher and being the youngest of 5 who all played instruments, I remember crawling up onto the piano and playing a scale when I was 3 because I heard my sisters and brother practise every day for hours on end. So Mom put me on piano and violin right away and ever since then, I would somehow have my score in my head every day for different moods and feelings, like walking to the score of my life. I was in heaven when I got into the orchestra in England in my teens and subsequently got introduced into the worlds of pop, RnB and all things urban, which widened my musical palate and musicality. 

What has your journey in the entertainment industry been like so far?

Even though I was brought up in a life of music, the entertainment industry was the furthest thing from my mind when it came to a career especially coming from a traditional Asian family which preferred stability. But all the signs pointed to this road and once I set foot on it I never looked back. It’s been an emotional, unforgettable and rewarding journey with endless excitement, surprises that have me holding my breath at the edge of my seat! Whether it’s music or movies, I am forever grateful for the overwhelming support and opportunities which help to cast aside any tripping stones along the way and floating me on Cloud 9 everyday towards my dreams. 

Your work as a musician and artist has a much deeper meaning and impact. Can you talk a little bit about the One Gaia Foundation and your philanthropic work and the work you’ve done so far?

At One Gaia, which means One Earth because Gaia was what the Ancient Greeks called Earth, we work with children in need from different corners of the planet. And their needs are very different, from those suffering from poverty, and disability, to terminal illnesses. We provide essential needs for communities in need such as grooming kits, slippers, school and medical supplies, repairs for schools in remote areas battered by natural disasters, indigenous groups in the mountains, to tailor-made solutions like the initiatives in music, arts and sports to help them explore their talents and give them a sense of purpose, so they too can shine regardless of their conditions. Just to show them that they are not alone. That they are brilliant and that they are loved. 

Why is supporting children in this way a particularly important cause for you to support through your work?

As a musician and artist, I feel truly blessed to have been given support and opportunities in both music and movies, so I wanted to share my platform with those less fortunate than myself. 

Clichê as it is, children are our future, and they are blank books. It’s important that they are given the opportunities and assistance to express their natural talents so they can shine and create their happy stories. We are all born with talents but not equal backgrounds, so children in need, who make up the majority of the world, should be given the most care and assistance so that they can thrive and create for themselves, their families and their communities, which is why we give them a platform to express and a vehicle to engage with their peers and eventually with the rest of the world. Their unique perspective on life can often be most enlightening. You’d be surprised what a dash of hope can do for one child, let alone hundreds of millions. That’s why our slogan is “One Self, One Tribe, One Gaia”. 

The One Gaia Foundation has already had a huge impact for children in countries such as the Philippines, Hong Kong, Jamaica and Brazil. What are your plans for the Foundation?

My aims for One Gaia is to achieve one world through children in need (as they are the majority of the world) via the universal language of music, arts and sports. 

I hope that one day these children from across the globe will be able to share their talent and culture with each other.

I hope that our initiatives which eventually lead to our Gaia Games, Gaia Gems and Gaia Orchestra will give them a source of focus and a sense of purpose. And little by little they can engage, exchange and work together to spread more hope and love in the world through their passion. 

You’ve had some exciting collaborations in your career so far, including Doc B, Filipino singer Kris Lawrence and Brazilian rapper Duendy Primeiro. Are there any other artists who you would love to collaborate with in the future?

When it comes to collaborations, I’ve just started working on the Chimera Series which dive into the fusion of contrasts. So I would love to collaborate with artists from different genres from Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, David Guetta, Ezra Collective, Akala, Fleurie, to different philharmonic orchestras and ethnic instrumentalists from around the world. 

Your name is inspired by the mythical creature, the Chimera. How does this name represent you, as a person and an artist?

In Ancient Greek mythology, a chimaera is a 3-headed beast - part lion, serpent and goat - which fits perfectly the multidimensional human nature. Instead of just “wearing many hats”, we actually embody many characters at any given time. We are all chimaeras raising different heads depending on different situations. 

As an artist, an angelic beast with wildly contrasting personas, the lioness side of me launches me into the world of orchestral music and action heroines, whilst the serpentine side brings out the sensuality through my voice, violin and piano. The goat, a symbol of depth and wisdom, lives in my lyrics and poems. 

The chimeric combination spins a meta verse of creations across endless artistic realms.

Now, the question is - is Qymira merely an artist? Or a living and breathing interactive 3D character where fantasy meets reality?