Sheffield’s Smallest Giant: Precious Pepala Rewrites the Rules of Vulnerability

Music

Vulnerability doesn’t always arrive dressed in softness. For Precious Pepala, it came through a slow burn—years of decoding the unsaid, translating silence into song, and realising that honesty wasn’t something she needed to apologise for.

Raised in a devout Zambian household, where gospel music rang louder than any chart hit and hard conversations often never left the lips, the Sheffield-born artist grew up knowing how to use her voice—but not always what to say. That changed.

At just twenty, Pepala already feels like a veteran of reinvention. First signed to a major label in her teens, she has since re-emerged with Dark Days, a deeply personal EP that maps her journey through queerness, faith, grief, and girlhood with unflinching lyrical clarity. With co-writes from Eg White (of Adele fame) and production credits shared with Jordan Rabjohn, the record is sonically ambitious and emotionally bruising. Think brooding ballads laced with alternative pop theatrics, gospel undertones dressed in leather, and the occasional nod to a Tim Burton fantasy.

But don’t mistake her softness for passivity—Pepala may be small in stature, but her ideas are outsized, her voice arresting, and her refusal to fit into boxes nothing short of radical. As she prepares to release Dark Days and continues her tour with Victor Ray, I sat down with Precious to talk about rebellion, self-definition, and the quiet joy of being underestimated.

What’s a question you wish someone would ask you in interviews but never does?

I feel like I haven’t spoken much about my Zambian heritage or the fact that my first language wasn’t actually English, but Bemba, my parents’ native language.

You’ve spoken about discovering heavier music like Bring Me The Horizon during lockdown—what was it about that sound that unlocked something emotional for you?

For me, the lyricism was the most powerful part. I think I’d always overlooked how deeply emotional heavy rock lyrics can be because they’re often screamed rather than sung! I also love how dark and cinematic the production is on BMTH records.

Coming from a gospel background, do you think religion taught you to perform before it taught you to feel?

100%! The reason I loved going to church as a kid, before any of the negative parts set in, was because I loved singing and playing music with people. Even though my relationship with religion hasn’t always been the best, I wouldn’t change my upbringing. It’s where my love for music began, and that's why I am where I am today.

How has your relationship with faith evolved now that your voice is your own?

My relationship with faith is much healthier now. A lot of the resentment I had towards it has lifted because I feel free to write about whatever I want without the fear of judgment from my family or the church. My music has even opened up conversations with my parents, and my relationship with them has never been better.

Let’s say First Love had a scent—what would it smell like? And what about Lullaby? Let’s get synaesthetic.

I love this question! I think First Love would smell super floral, sweet, and feminine—like expensive roses! Lullaby would smell like freshly washed bed sheets with a candle burning in the background.

You write about things most people are afraid to say out loud—what’s a lyric from the EP that still scares you to perform live? Why does it haunt you?

I find it uncomfortable to sing the lyric, “Fill my lungs with holy water, pray you’ll claim me as your daughter” from Sunday Morning. I remember singing it for the first time, seeing my mum in the crowd, and instantly feeling uncomfortable because I was kind of directing those words at her. I also remember how strained our relationship was when I wrote that song, so it’s not the easiest for me.

What was the first lie you ever told as a child—and do you think it says something about who you are now?

I’ll be honest, I was such a goody two-shoes as a kid, I don’t think I ever lied! Actually, I lied for years, telling my mum that I was reading the Bible!

Sheffield has an iconic musical history, but you say you grew up feeling quite removed from it. Do you feel connected to it now—or are you building your own legacy entirely?

It feels like I’m building my own legacy because there isn’t much of a music scene in Sheffield right now, which is really sad. Hopefully, I’ll be one of the artists from my generation who draws people's eyes and ears back to Sheffield! I’m determined to be part of a new wave of artists emerging from this city because it has such a rich musical history.

What has being underestimated taught you about power?

People might underestimate me because I’m 5 feet tall and a bit socially awkward, but that’s part of the fun. It gives me the chance to go on stage and become something bigger than what they perceive me to be. I also think there’s so much power in simply being a decent, genuine, hardworking person!

When was the last time you surprised yourself?

I passed my driving test a few months ago, and I have the worst driving anxiety—it used to give me panic attacks! So when I passed, I was genuinely shocked, especially considering how many mistakes I made!

If your music were a room, what would it look like? Think textures, colours, sounds. What’s playing in the background when nobody’s watching?

My music would be a room that looks like the studio in Sheffield where I wrote most of my songs! It would be pretty dark, with blue LED strips adding faint light around the corners of the ceiling. A comfy sofa would sit in the corner, with all my plushies on it. You’d hear the sound of my diffuser releasing lemon oil into the air, because that’s one of my favourite scents. Occasionally, there’d be incense burning in the background too! The room would also be nice and warm, because even though my music is dark, it brings me peace and comfort.

What’s your ritual before going on stage—and is it more church or more chaos?

To be honest, I like my pre-stage ritual to be as calm as possible! I love staying hydrated, so you’ll probably find me drinking water (no booze!). I always make sure to do my vocal warm-ups, and if I’m feeling fancy, I’ll do a full-body stretch to release any excess tension. I like to be ready, with my hair and makeup done, well ahead of time. I love routine!

Do you think being raised in a home where feelings weren’t often discussed made you a better artist—or a lonelier one?

At first, I felt lonely. But then I realised that lots of people relate to my stories and lyrics, so now there’s definitely a feeling of community. My upbringing made me a better songwriter because I had to find other ways to express how I was feeling, which led me to writing.

You said Lullaby is your anthem for introverts—what’s your biggest extrovert fantasy?

I’ve always found the thought of starting conversations with strangers stressful, so I’d say I fantasise most about being naturally able to do something like that! If I were to be reborn in another life, I’d like to think that version of me would be an outgoing social butterfly!

Let’s talk about joy. What’s bringing you quiet happiness right now, outside of music?Dogs. Going to the gym. Cooking. Watching Vanderpump Rules on Amazon Prime. Chocolate.

What’s the small, un-Instagrammable thing that’s saving your sanity?

Singing in the shower! I love singing without worrying about trying to sound good, and the only place I can really do that without being judged is in the shower! It’s my favourite way to de-stress and detox after a long day!

What would twenty-year-old Precious tell ten-year-old Precious?

I would tell her to enjoy being a child and not try to grow up too fast. Twenty-year-old me misses the happy parts of my childhood. I’d also tell her to be herself, not to be afraid of being silly or different, and always stay true to herself and her morals!

And what would ten-year-old Precious be shocked to find out?

Ten-year-old me also had blue hair, so I think she’d be shocked to know that I have blue hair again! Also, that I get to do music and sing as my actual job!

Dark Days is out now

Words by Jheanelle Feanny