With “Space” out now, we took some time to hear from Latifa Reeves. Read below to learn more about Latifa Reeves, the story behind “Space,” and what’s to come.
Hi Latifa Reeves! Let’s start with how did you choose your stage name?
Latifa is actually a name I was given many years ago, and it means “gentle,” “kind,” or “subtle.” Over time, it became much more than a name—it became part of who I am. So when I stepped out as a solo artist, using Latifa felt natural and true.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I was born in Rome, Georgia, and my Southern roots are a huge part of me musically and personally. I’m now based in California’s Napa Valley, which has been home for many years.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. When I was 22, I recorded my first demo tape with Jim McGorman. Life took me in many different directions after that, but somehow, more than 20 years later, Jim and I found our way back to each other creatively. We’ve now made three albums together, with Jim as producer and songwriter. It’s funny how life works—someone who was there at the very beginning of my journey came back into my life decades later to help me find and shape my sound today. It feels very full circle.
How would you describe your sound?
Soulful pop rooted in gospel, Southern rock and blues. I grew up in Georgia, so there’s always a little bit of the South underneath everything I do. More than anything, I want the music to feel honest, soulful and alive.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Creativity is woven into almost everything I do. I love working with children, writing, creating visual concepts and spending time in nature. I’m also a mother of five, so life itself has given me an enormous amount to write about. My spiritual life is probably my deepest source of creativity—I need quiet and space to hear what wants to come through.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Aretha Franklin is probably my greatest vocal influence. I also love artists who combine incredible musicianship with rawness and soul—Grace Potter, The War and Treaty, Yebba, and the gospel, blues and Southern rock music I grew up around. I’m drawn to singers who make you believe every word.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
I’ve had some incredible moments—opening for The War and Treaty and getting invited to sing an impromptu song with them onstage, opening for Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, and performing five festival shows at BottleRock. Those are experiences I’ll never forget. But I’m also incredibly proud of this chapter—having the courage to step out on my own and discover who I am as a solo artist.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
I’ve learned that you can deeply love something and still know when it’s time to grow in another direction. I’ve also learned that less is often more—in songwriting, in singing and in life. And maybe most importantly, I’ve learned to trust myself and leave enough space for God to show me what comes next.
Now onto your release, “Space.” What inspired this song? What is “Space” about?
“Space” is really about giving ourselves permission to create room in our lives—to hear ourselves, to heal, to create and to discover who we are underneath all the roles and expectations we carry. I’ve spent a lot of my life caring for others and being needed, and I began to understand that space isn’t abandonment or rejection. Sometimes space is love. Sometimes we need that openness in order to hear what is true for us.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “Space?”
Rich Abagon is the artist behind the cover artwork for my songs. We wanted the imagery to bring together three important parts of who I am—my spirituality, my femininity and my rock edge. We shot it in this huge, open warehouse space overlooking the Los Angeles skyline, and it felt perfect for “Space.” There was something about that vast openness that visually captured what the song means to me: freedom, expansion and room to become.
What was the creative process like when making “Space?”
“Space” really came out of what I was living. As I was coming to the decision to step away from Mama Said after ten meaningful years of making music together, I kept hearing myself say, “I need space so I can hear my own voice.” I’m deeply grateful for everything we created and experienced together, and at the same time, I knew I needed to step outside of that collaborative energy to discover what my own authentic voice sounded like—not just as a singer, but as an artist and a person. That realization became the heart of “Space.”
How long did it take to complete “Space?”
Jim McGorman, Robb Vallier and I actually wrote the entire album together in one weekend. It was one of those incredibly inspired creative bursts where the songs just seemed to come. From there, Jim and I spent about six months recording, producing, mixing and mastering the album. “Space” was born in a weekend, but we gave the music the time it needed afterward to fully become what we heard in our heads.
What is your favorite lyric in “Space” and why?
My favorite lyric is, “Foot on the gas on an open road, no headlights, nowhere to go.” For a long time, I think I was living my life full throttle—with a lot of pushing, hustling and trying to make things happen. I’ve made a conscious decision that I don’t want to live that way anymore. I want to live with more alignment, trust and flow—to listen for where life is leading me instead of always trying to force the direction.
What do you hope fans take away from “Space” and your music in general?
Permission. Permission to take up space, to change, to love yourself, to begin again and to follow what feels true. With all of my music, I hope people feel more connected to themselves, to love and ultimately to something Divine. To me, love is the highest vibration, and music has an incredible ability to transmit it.
What’s next? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows?
“Space” is part of a larger body of solo music that I’m releasing, and I’m building the live show now. I’m really excited to bring these songs to the stage and let people experience them the way they were meant to be experienced—with a live band, in a room together. There’s much more music coming.
Where can we follow you on social media?
You can follow me here:
Instagram: @latifasings
Facebook: Latifa Kimberly Reeves
YouTube: @latifasings
TikTok: @latifasings
Spotify: Latifa Reeves
And you can find my music on all major streaming platforms.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
