Skye Newman’s unflinchingly honest lyrics, drawn from real-life experiences, have propelled her to the forefront of emerging artists in 2025.
However, her candid songwriting has also stirred conflict with individuals depicted in her songs.
The London-born vocalist revealed that a former boyfriend was among those who reacted negatively to being portrayed in her music.
“It caused a whole explosion,” she disclosed to BBC Radio 1 presenters Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom, and Charlie Hedges.
“It was a song I wrote about us being quite explosive and toxic, and he wasn’t very happy.”
“I do feel bad about it sometimes,” she admitted following a performance for Radio 1’s Live Lounge Month.
Skye performed “Family Matters,” her most successful single to date, and delivered a cover of Olivia Dean’s “The Hardest Part.”
The 22-year-old’s lyrics often explore personal themes, including witnessing drug abuse and navigating grief within her childhood home.
Regarding her decision to write about personal experiences, Skye explained it as her way of “bearing her soul.”
“I’ve always had a way with words,” she added.
“Being able to express how I felt on paper was so much easier than saying it to someone.”
“Coming from a home of such chaos and drama, I could sing and get away from that.”
Skye’s growing prominence led to an Instagram notification so significant that her sister woke her to see it.
Through blurry eyes, she read Ed Sheeran’s invitation to join him on tour.
“I remember waking up and my sister said, ‘you’ve got a message from someone’,” Skye recalled.
“I was thinking, ‘you just got me out of bed for what?’, but it was just insane.”
“It was a very, very, very surreal moment.”
Performing at Ed Sheeran’s homecoming concert in Ipswich in July helped prepare Skye for supporting Lewis Capaldi on his recent UK and Ireland tour.
“I feel like I’ve been picked up by the most amazing men in this industry,” she stated.
“Lewis is the sweetest man I think I’ve ever met in my life.”
Skye discussed her ascent to fame as she prepares to release her debut “project,” titled “SE9 Part 1,” on October 24.
“I feel very lucky,” she expressed.
“Throughout all of this, I’ve always had people supporting me. Friends, family, I’ve always had someone in my corner.”
“I have a lot of strong women around me which I think makes a difference.”
“Because in this industry, you have to stand on your ten toes.”
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