Exclusive: Rozalla shares her secrets to longevity in the industry as she turns 60

By Sarah Tetteh

She paved the way for many artists from London to Lagos, with BRITS sensation Raye and Tyla all looking to her for inspiration.

Now the queen of reinvention Rozalla is back – ahead of her 60th birthday this month looking fiercer and more fabulous than ever with her new music.

Everybody’s Free hitmaker Rozalla is back with a top-tier new album Turn On The Light, with feel-good tracks that all generations are sure to love.

The Londoner, originally from Zambia, dubbed the queen of rave, became a household name after her 90s track Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good) propelled her to stardom. Hand-picked to support Michael Jackson on his Dangerous Tour in 1992 – the late King of Pop would ask her for advice on how to look after his voice, and even revealed a cheeky crush on her coming over all giggly and shy whenever they met. Cute!

Rozalla, married to business tycoon Alan, is a rare breed –  one of the few artists to stay hot in the business and has been working non-stop over four decades, with even London Mayor Sadiq Khan choosing her anthem to play at London’s fireworks celebration as the nation saw in the New Year.

In an exclusive chat with the South London Press, legend Rozalla praised new artists from her background Raye and Tyla, and talked longevity in the business.

Sharing her gems, she said: “When I look at Tyla and Raye, they just remind me of myself when I first started out. I want them to enjoy every moment. Seeing them grow into fabulous artists, I am so proud. “It’s a tough industry as you know, but I’ve kept at it because of my love for performing.

“Doing something I love. Everybody’s Free has been kept contemporary by being played on Love Island, in TV adverts, auditions for reality TV shows, and DJs doing remixes. It’s impossible to know what Everybody’s Free has over other songs, but I’m just so lucky it has stood the test of time. I’m so grateful, the gratitude in my heart is immense.”

Revealing her secret to looking so fit and fabulous at 60, she said: “You are too kind. I’m turning 60 and I’m proud of it. My secret is I’ve always been good with skin care. Facial massage, and personal training twice a week. My husband tells me I’m good with nutrition, I love that. I took up facial yoga too during lockdown, which has been a big factor keeping my skin and face toned. I have never looked back.”

Rozalla’s Turn On The Light album is out now.