Yes, FKA Twigs is the female alias of singer/songwriter Tawnie Okongkong, and no, she is not related to rapper Wiz Khalifa. The artist behind the alias and the songs is currently the focus in the media, and rightly so, because Twigs has quickly become one of the most popular British female artists of all time. In the past year, she has released two full-length albums, EMI and Winter Sun, which were both number one on the UK Albums Chart, and has had six top ten hits in the UK, including three number ones.
Born in Nigeria and raised in London, Twigs started performing at a young age. At the age of twelve, she began singing in a school choir. It was during this time that her talent was first noticed. She later attended the BRIT School and obtained a bachelor’s degree in literature and creative writing. She also did graduate work in education and psychology at the University of Sheffield.
While at university, Twigs performed at venues such as the Barbican and the Southbank Centre, where she supported artists such as Adele, Mark Ronson, and Michael Jackson. She got her big break in 2011, when she was featured on the cover of Vogue. Since then, she has appeared in publications such as Dazed, Elle, and GQ, and has starred in a number of films, including the upcoming Pattinson movie, The Rover.
Why Is Twigs Popular?
There are a number of reasons why Twigs is so popular. First, she is a phenomenal musician and songwriter. Her instrument of choice is the ukulele, which she plays with proficiency. She has said that she decided to begin playing the ukulele after watching YouTube videos of famous musicians playing the instrument. Thanks to her talent and her persona as a “cool girl”, she has been able to gain a large audience of teen and twenty-something women.
Besides her musical prowess, Twigs is also known for her fashion choices. She often wears stunning, unique ensembles that are both functional and fashionable. When she is on tour, Twigs makes frequent wardrobe changes, ditching the dull attire for something more fashionable and vibrant. For example, she wore a stunning emerald-green dress when she opened for Marina and the Diamonds earlier this year, and a different green dress when she performed with Adele in January.
Additionally, Twigs is a vegan, which is something that her fans have come to expect from her. The artist often posts about her veganism on her social media channels, using the hashtag #veganmiamo to show her support for the vegan lifestyle and to attract more followers.
Is Twigs Worth Following?
Yes, Twigs is worth following. However, instead of just subscribing to her social media accounts, which are full of exciting news and relevant information, you should buy her albums. She has two full-length albums, EMI and Winter Sun, which are both essential listening for anyone interested in her music.
EMI was released in 2014 and is available to buy now. It is her debut album as a solo artist, and it shows a wide range of influences, from folk to indie pop. The album doesn’t sound like anything else out there, and it quickly rose to the top of the UK album charts, peaking at number two. While some reviews were mixed, the majority gave the album positive feedback, as noted by Pitchfork, which said “EMI stands as proof that a person can have both serious chops and a sense of humor.”
Winter Sun was released last year, and it’s already been certified platinum. It is the follow-up to EMI and features a similar musical palette. However, instead of being a solo album, Winter Sun has a wide range of guest artists, including Ed Sheeran, Diplo, and Skrillex. While some fans were disappointed that the album wasn’t perfect and that Twigs’ voice doesn’t appear more prominently, it’s still been a huge success, peaking at number three on the UK album charts.
Besides her music, which is obviously incredible, Twigs also has an incredible social media following, which she uses to share interesting tidbits about veganism, fashion, and much more. Whether you follow her on social media or you just want to find out more about her, the singer has a lot to offer. Just be sure to follow the rules and guidelines of the fandom, otherwise, you might find yourself in some trouble.