To celebrate British Black Music Month, we are sitting down with the exceptionally talented London-based alt-pop and alternative R&B artist, Davina (professionally known as Divine Earth). Following the widespread acclaim of her recent EP, ‘LAVENDER’, Davina represents the vanguard of independent Black British music—blending dreamy electronic textures, jazz roots, and deep Afro-spirituality.

As an organisation dedicated to nurturing ground-breaking talent, we were incredibly proud to support Davina through our Winter Relief Scheme last December. This interview catches up with her musical evolution, the impact of grassroots creative funding, and her vision for the future of the UK music scene.

The Journey Beyond ‘LAVENDER’

Ilaria: “Let’s dive straight into your incredible sound and your growth as a creator. Could you please introduce yourself and your artistic identity?”

Divine Earth: “I go by Divine Adeosun-Bright, and my artist’s name is Divine Earth. I was formerly known as Muva of Earth, or MUVA.”

Ilaria: “Looking back at your incredible project ‘LAVENDER’, your tracks on Spotify are completely amazing. How does it feel to look back on that project now, and how do you feel your sound has transformed?”

Divine Earth: “Recently, I’ve understood that sometimes you have to step out of something to see it for what it truly is. Things move so fast when you are creating; you are just present in the making. But I had to step out to focus on my stability and my housing. I am currently in a phase that Michaela Coel beautifully calls “rehumanising”. As artists, we are often up in the clouds creating, but you have to get your foundations sorted—tending to relationships, stability, and long-term financial goals.

When I look back at ‘LAVENDER’, I see someone discovering themselves. It was a five-track EP, and very different from my first project, ‘align with Nature’s Intelligence’ (AWNI). I see a version of myself who was still learning about the industry, perhaps trying to please people, and experimenting. Now, I’ve learned not to compromise my art. I want to make sure I take the time to put the message in, because I want to make truly ground-breaking and deeply resonant projects.”

I love to write empowering music, to talk about love, dreaming, and giving people the space to feel seen and encouraged.

Ilaria: “‘LAVENDER’ has been described as an invitation to soak yourself in an “aroma of confidence.” Can you talk about the philosophy of finding strength in softness and vulnerability within your music?”

Divine Earth: “The aroma of confidence starts with aromatherapy—putting on a fragrance or a mist and instantly feeling more sensual and activated. Purple is one of my favourite spiritual colours. When I was a child, I wore a favourite purple skirt so often that my grandmother, who helped raise me, constantly had to take it from me just to wash it!

Going back to purple for ‘LAVENDER’ was about returning to my roots. The philosophy is about highlighting who you are, tapping into your inner sexiness, and feeling empowered. I love to write empowering music, to talk about love, dreaming, and giving people the space to feel seen and encouraged.”

Redefining Independence and the Impact of Grassroots Support

Ilaria: “You mentioned working on something new. What is the energy of your upcoming music?”

Divine Earth: “I’m working on something different for sure. Sonically, it combines both AWNI, my first EP, and ‘LAVENDER’. I want to make an electronic analogue project combining both what I have learnt from Lavender and AWNI.”

Working with Christine was amazing; she was so friendly and helped coordinate financial support for my daily expenses, my housing goals, and winter living costs when I didn’t have active shows booked.

Ilaria: “We are deeply passionate about supporting independent creators. How did you find out about our Winter Relief Scheme last December, and how did that grant assist your creative space?”

Divine Earth: “Honestly, I use tools like ChatGPT to search for UK artist grants, but ultimately it led me back to the music community. Music is my main passion, my income, and my everyday life. When I faced severe housing instability, I knew I had to reach out to my own community for help. I thought, I’ll reach out to the music community because that’s my main community, they can help me.

Applying to the Winter Relief Fund introduced me to your team. Working with Christine was amazing; she was so friendly and helped coordinate financial support for my daily expenses, my housing goals, and winter living costs when I didn’t have active shows booked. Crucially, the Fund also connected me with BAPAM (British Association for Performing Arts Medicine) to fund six sessions with my therapist.”

Ilaria: “Do you feel those six sessions were enough to support you?”

Divine Earth: “Personally, I need more, but I deeply appreciated those six sessions. They showed me that I truly need weekly therapy to cope with everything. Right now, my finances don’t allow it, so I am actively trying to secure government healthcare funding to continue it weekly until I no longer need it.”

Shifting the Paradigm for UK Creators

Ilaria: “There are massive misconceptions about being an independent artist in the UK. What kind of support do independent creators actually need most right now?”

Divine Earth: “The government needs to view the arts as essential. Society loves to credit artists for what they bring to culture—like branding Gatwick Airport with artist imagery saying “This is England” or celebrating Carnival—but they don’t appreciate or pay artists what they deserve.

If I speak for myself, what I need most is a house. I haven’t had a stable, safe home since I left my house at 18. I realised something profound recently: I used to think I had to push my music career at all costs to finally buy the house I wanted. Now, I see it’s the exact opposite. I need a stable house first so that I can actually feel safe, focus, and enjoy my career without the extreme survival pressure of trying to force my art to buy me a home. I’m doing my best right now, piecing together resources from my local borough, PRS Members’ Fund, and grassroots organisations to get safe.”

Honouring Heritage and Ancestral Roots

I’ve received so much support from artists before me, and I really appreciate those who are being brave enough to express themselves.

Ilaria: “British Black Music Month is all about honouring the rich history and future of Black artists in the UK. What does it mean to you to be part of the UK alternative R&B/Jazz scene right now?”

Divine Earth: “I’m really honoured to be a part of it. I really appreciate them for lifting me up. I’ve received so much support from artists before me, and I really appreciate those who are being brave enough to express themselves. Now I know it may not have been as picture-perfect as it seemed when I was a child, but they still kept doing it. I love the arts community, and I really appreciate them every day for lifting me up and giving me so much joy and zest for life.”

Ilaria: “Your music beautifully blends electronic textures and jazz roots with themes of Afro-spirituality. How do your cultural roots and spirituality inform your songwriting process?”

Divine Earth: “I feel like it’s part of how I exist, and this person existing is who is writing. I love writing songs that are deep and meaningful and that have positive messages in them.”

Ilaria: “Do you usually have a specific process when you write?”

Divine Earth: “Right now I like to write in a concentrated environment. I like to write in a place where I can make unlimited sound and be able to sing as loud as I can, and that’s the studio. I like to record in a studio because normally I would record at home. I also find reading really inspiring, and conversations are very inspiring too. Recent losses have also been really inspiring for my music.”

Ilaria: “Are there any Black British independent creators or artists that you think the world needs to listen to, or who inspire you?”

Divine Earth: “Of course, there are so many! I love Jessy Blakemore. I really like what Odeal is doing. I also like Alewya, Naomi Scott, FKA Twigs, Joviale, Celeste, Osquello, Jkarri, Greentea Peng, Wulu, Pheonix Yemi, Angel. In terms of smaller, rising artists, one comes to mind whose work I really enjoy, I like what Jim Legxacy is doing.”

God only has three answers: “Yes,” “not yet,” or “something better.” So if you get a “no,” keep that in mind.

Ilaria: “Do you have any final inspirational messages to your fellow PRS members who are struggling right now?”

Divine Earth: “You won’t face anything that God will give you that you can’t overcome. That’s where I’m at right now with my spiritual mantra. I also like the idea that God only has three answers: “Yes,” “not yet,” or “something better.” So if you get a “no,” keep that in mind.

Another thing is to reach out to your community. It doesn’t have to be a public Instagram story, even if that seems like the easiest option. Whatever platform you have, whether you have a good following on TikTok or Facebook, reach out to them because people engage there.

That’s what I did. I’ve invested so much of my time and my heart into the music community that when I was experiencing housing issues, I reached out to see if they could help me. I’d also say don’t be too attached to the outcome and stay optimistic. Eventually, the journey will make you what you are. Remember that your community is there, and there is vital support available through the PRS Members’ Fund.”

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