Photography Inez & Vinoodh
Text Cody Critcheloe

The struggle to make a successful sophomore album has left many a hit-seeking star out in the cold. The difference with Santi White, aka Santigold, is evident in the title of her forthcoming record, Master of My Make-Believe. In it, she takes control of her music as well as her vision. SSION’s Cody Critcheloe sat down with her to discuss recording a second slam dunk.

CODY CRITCHELOE Who did you work with on the record?
SANTIGOLD It was a very lonely process. I worked with Greg Kurstin on three songs, Switch on several songs, and Dave Sitek [of TV on the Radio] on one song. I worked with Nick Zinner [of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs] a bunch on writing and he played too.

CC How do you go about songwriting?
S I write to the music. The lyrics came slowly on this record.

CC Why do you think that was?
S It was about learning to trust myself. I also had expectations. Never have those! Everyone I worked with before was in a different headspace. I had to get past that. That’s why I started writing with Nick, and it started being cool and fun.

CC So was that the turning point?
S That was when it was like, I just want to work with who I want. We recorded in Jamaica for a little while and finally some lyrics started to come to me. I think that time really colored the record.

CC Do you meticulously oversee every aspect?
S Yeah, I’m really hands-on with everything. It’s the difference between an artist and a plain pop star, right?

CLICK HERE for the full story from V75 The Music Issue