NYLON NINETEEN
The eclectic singer and dancer takes the NYLON 19.
At 22 years old, Dizzy Fae has already accomplished more than most people could ever dream. The Minneapolis-based singer and classically trained dancer has put out two mixtapes, opened for Lizzo, and shared stages with Jorja Smith, The Internet, and Kehlani all since she emerged on the scene with her 2016 debut single “Color Me Bad.” And did we mention that the track — a woozy and rippling wave of atmospheric soul — also got its worldwide premiere on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 radio show?
Since then, the artist has stretched her repertoire to encompass a multitude of genres and sounds, from intimate-sounding R&B and eclectic funk, to experimental electronica and smoky jazz. What keeps it all sounding cohesive is Fae’s own twist on the architecture, whether it’s manipulating her vocals through fuzzy distortion, or pushing it to operatic heights, efforts that can be heard on her 2018 project, Free Form Mixtape. As indicated by the name, it was her foray into “doing whatever she wants and calling it a project,” Fae said in interviews at the time.
Now, Fae’s undergone another evolutionary turn with her latest single, “360,” which she released in February. This time, she plunges into dark club pop that wouldn’t sound out of place during Britney Spears’ massively influential Blackout era. With its spiky drums and Fae’s voice manipulated to sound like a robotic valley girl on the hook, the track is compelling proof that Fae is a one of the most exciting genre-bending artists out right now.
NYLON caught up with the young singer to learn more about her astrological sign, her favorite TikTok memes, and why she wants to be in Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” music video — “but not as a video vixen, more like his homie.”
1. What’s your astrological sign (and do you believe in it)?
I’m a Leo. I absolutely believe in the stars, shit if I believe in anything. They’ve always been honest with me! I'm a cancer moon, though. I find it interesting that the Leo is ruled by the sun and the cancer is ruled by the moon ... it’s fun for me to notice patterns and deepen my understanding of astrology.
2. Do you believe in ghosts, (and have you ever seen one)?
I do believe in ghosts, but I think they’re more than that. I used to live with someone that carried demons on their back. I’ve seen a lot of shit. One time I woke up to a spirit kneeling down watching me sleep... I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about what if I just didn’t get frightened or jump so quickly and we just stared. What then? I get mixed up with ghost thoughts, with dimensions, and I think I'm onto something.
3. What’s your go-to drink order? (And if it's boozy, what’s your go-to hangover cure?)
Lately my go-to drink has been water and a fruit drink. I really like “let’s eat to live, queen, don’t live to eat.” My go-to DRANK is a gin and tonic. Gets me right to the point.
4. Who would be the three headliners of the music festival of your dreams?
Prince. Beyoncé. Dizzy Fae.
5. What's the weirdest snack that you make?
Last night I had black olives with Cholula. I once had sandwich pickles with taco sauce. I can’t believe I ate Vienna sausages.
6. What's a bad habit of yours that you've been meaning to fix?
I have a bad habit of waking up and getting right on my phone. I notice the days I don’t, my days are great, productive days. I’m working on that one. I’d like to give myself an hour before I actually work or play on it.
7. What was the last internet rabbit hole you went down?
I actually got into watching a bunch of videos about the Göbekli Tepe. It’s the oldest temple site in human history and it’s located in Turkey. I’m probably going to go down that rabbit hole again very soon. I hope to see it someday and experience the energy it still resonates.
8. Describe your worst date in three words.
There was this guy in high school that I had the biggest crush on. So big that I would see him and run... yes, run away from him. This was my freshman year and he was a junior. My senior year came around and he asked me on a date. Of course I was like, “Okay, let’s try it.” That shit was so boring. We had some great sushi but nothing to talk about. I was so disappointed. It doesn’t take much for me to have a good time, but no good conversation and I'm over it.
9. What was the last DM you received?
The amazing chef Melissa King mentioned me in their story because we were in the same GAP campaign recently.
10. If you could be in any music video, what would it be?
Right now I really wanna be in "Lollipop" by Lil Wanye — but not as a video vixen, more like his homie. I’m also thinking heavy on "Fergalicious."
11. What was your first concert, and what are your memories of it?
My first concert was Ne-Yo and Trey Songz opened up for him. My mom brought me and my older sister. I remember Trey Songz ripping his shirt in three [pieces] to throw it to the left, right, and the middle. I looked at him, then looked back at my mom, then back and him, and then back at my mom but sneaking my eyes back to him like, hold up... something's adding up. I was, like, 11.
12. What was your favorite movie as a kid?
My favorite movie as a kid was Alice in Wonderland. My grandma would babysit my siblings and I. She only had VHS tapes of movies and Alice in Wonderland along with Grease were my go-tos.
13. What's your favorite meme/internet joke and why?
I love anything that can really catch the essence of the tone. TikTok is carrying the memes for me right now, along with Twitter. I laugh so much everyday at so many things that I don’t think I have an absolute favorite. There is actually one that hits every time for me: there’s this guy that has a class of preschoolers and he asks them different questions, and he asks this little girl named Lauri, who was the first person on this planet, and she says “Michael Jackson.” But it’s the way she says it that is just so cute, confident, and funny. I love that jokes and memes on the internet are a universal understanding.
14. What's your go-to breakup song?
It really depends what kind of relationship it was and my role. I always listen to something sad and real that I can relate to, or a song that reminds me of them. I haven’t had a real big break-up though that had me needing a go-to break up song.
15. What is your favorite red carpet look of all time worn by someone else?
Anyone that has been naked or worn a vagina.
16. What is one thing everyone should buy that is under $10?
A tongue scraper. Their own business (finding their 2 cents). Cute hair accessories. A HomeState homemade flour tortilla taco, or a few. If you have glasses, a glasses repair kit. I’m sure there’s more.
17. What is your go-to sad song?
"I’m Still in Love With You" by Al Green; "Forever" by Pete Drake; "I Fall in Love Too Easily" by Chet Baker; and a song by Hiroshi Suzuki but I can’t find the name in English (it’s the song that Mac Demarco sampled for “Chamber of Reflection”).
18. What show would you most like to appear on?
Absolutely Broad City, hands down.
19. What is your best beauty tip or trick?
An eyebrow pen has rocked my world.
