Q&A: How Rakiyah Turned Frustration Into a Formula With "Mathematics"
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY SHEVON GREENE ☆
IN THE HANDS OF RAKIYAH — even heartbreak becomes an equation worth solving. With a background in aerospace engineering and a combined love for sci-fi and fantasy, the New Jersey-born artist brings an otherworldly energy to her latest single, “Mathematics.” Co-produced with Koa Ho, the track combines ambient textures, shadowy 808s, and soft, siren-like vocals into a celestial meditation on love, frustration, and self-worth. It’s alternative R&B at its most contemplative and experimental.
“Mathematics” isn’t just a vibe; it’s a memory, a metaphor, and a reclamation. With lines like “wrong equations of love,” Rakiyah draws from her STEM roots to ground the song’s atmosphere in real emotional vulnerability. Whether you’ve studied calculus or just survived a confusing situationship, the message remains true: when someone keeps missing the review, it’s time to switch sides.
From writing her first EP in Korea to building label-level visuals and sound completely independently, Rakiyah continues to expand what R&B can sound and look like. Rakiyah doesn’t just blur genre lines; she builds new worlds in her sound. Read below for the full interview.
LUNA: “Mathematics” is such an atmospheric track. What was the initial spark or moment that led you to write it?
RAKIYAH: “Mathematics,” like many of my upcoming singles, is part of an album I’m working on. As a standalone, it came from a place of frustration. I use music more as a therapeutic outlet now, and this track came from a time in my life when I was deeply frustrated in love. I wasn’t being heard or seen. I felt like I was asking for basic things—trust, consideration—but wasn’t getting them. The title reflects that: this should be simple math, and somehow, it’s not adding up.
It has this femme fatale, siren vibe rooted in frustration. And the title was a little nod to my past as a STEM girly. I’ve always tied my interests into my music, so naming it “Mathematics” just made sense to me.
LUNA: It’s unique and really sticks out. I love that the lyric “math ain’t adding up” works both as a catchy hook and a deeper metaphor. Can you talk about how that line came to you?
RAKIYAH: I often use it to express that something doesn’t make sense. Like something isn't adding up in the relationship. While writing, I even imagined punching numbers into a calculator and getting nonsense. That was the energy.
LUNA: There’s a balance of emotion and precision in the song. How much of your STEM background influenced how you structured or produced it?
RAKIYAH: I co-produced this with my friend Koa Ho in Brooklyn. He’s credited on the song. I worked mostly on the chords and melodies—either playing them myself or using samples. I didn’t have the drums originally, but he added those deep, distorted 808s that really darkened the track. I love that eerie, ambient, spooky sound.
My STEM background shows up more subtly—like in how I approach music. In STEM, there’s a lot of experimenting and observation, and that bleeds into how I create. I also used math metaphors intentionally. For example, in the second verse: “Write the equal sign, times that we switch sides.” That line plays on how, in calculus or differential equations, you switch sides of the equation to solve a problem. It became a metaphor for switching roles in a relationship—me taking back my power. The opening line also ties back to school: “Missed the review” refers to those times in college where, if you didn’t understand something, you went to the review session. In this relationship, they missed the review—they didn’t try to understand.
LUNA: I love that. It’s so cool when artists bring their full selves into their work. What was the co-production process like for shaping the track’s ambient feel?
RAKIYAH: I instinctively build these ambient, experimental worlds in my music. I think it stems from my love of sci-fi and fantasy—I’m a full-on nerd for it. That interest influences my production style, whether I’m working solo or with someone else. It gives my music that otherworldly signature. People recognize the siren-style vocals, and they recognize the dreamy, spacey production. Whether the song is light or dark, those elements are always there.
LUNA: Your sound often blends celestial, synthy textures with smooth R&B. Were there any specific artists or songs that inspired “Mathematics?”
RAKIYAH: Not really. I didn’t have anyone specific in mind. I think that just speaks to me staying true to my own sonic identity. I’ve always loved the celestial and experimental—probably because of my love for sci-fi and fantasy. It just naturally shows up in what I create.
LUNA: How do you know when a song is finished—especially one with such a vibe-heavy, atmospheric feel?
RAKIYAH: Great question. I don’t think I’ve ever been asked that before. For me, there’s a mental checklist. I start with gibberish melodies—like Simlish—just to find the flow. Then I swap in real lyrics. After that, I sit with the song. I’ll listen to it on speakers, in headphones, take breaks, come back to it. If something doesn’t keep me engaged from start to finish, I know it’s not done.
I can get really perfectionistic about vocal performance too. I might redo verses or tweak harmonies. But once I feel good—really good—about it, I let it go. I release it into the ether. It might not be perfect, but it reflects where I was at the time. That’s enough for me.
LUNA: You have a background in aerospace engineering and studied in Korea. How do those experiences shape your music?
RAKIYAH: Those experiences made me more open-minded and expressive. Exposure expands your perspective. I studied engineering, taught myself Korean, and ended up studying abroad at Hanyang University in South Korea. While there, I made an EP called Mango Tree—my first full project. That reminded me how much I loved songwriting and helped me decide to pursue music seriously.
Being independent, I handle everything—from visuals to songwriting to merch. People have told me I’m doing label-level work, which means a lot. That’s definitely my science brain at work—bringing structure and systems to the chaos.
The Korean influence shows up in my music too. I’ve released Korean lyrics with co-writers because it’s part of my journey. It reminds me there are no limits. My music reflects all of it—my science side, my love for sci-fi, my cultural experiences. It’s all part of my identity.
LUNA: How has your relationship with R&B evolved since your debut? And where does “Mathematics” fit into that evolution?
RAKIYAH: I grew up on smooth, contemporary R&B. But I didn’t really explore my full identity until Into the Cosmos and The Cosmic Queen albums. That’s when I started experimenting with different sounds. I realized I’m drawn to alternative everything—fashion, music, expression. I wanted to blend my nerdy, sci-fi-loving side with my cultural identity.
Eventually, I realized I wasn’t quite fitting into traditional R&B spaces. That’s when I found my lane: alternative R&B. That’s who I am. “Mathematics” is the most alternative R&B I’ve ever made—dark, ambient, experimental. It lives fully in that space.
LUNA: How do you hope listeners feel after hearing this song—especially those healing from toxic situations?
RAKIYAH: First, I hope they feel something—even if they don’t fully grasp the lyrics. My voice tends to be soft, soothing, siren-like. That can pull people in emotionally. The lyrics are straightforward and sometimes aggressive, but the delivery is gentle. It’s a contrast that creates a unique experience.
I also want it to feel relatable. Whether you’re currently in a toxic situation or healing from one, I hope the song offers some kind of emotional connection—or even just vibes you can play at the gym. Some fans interpret it completely differently than I expected, and that’s beautiful too. I love that it can mean different things to different people.
LUNA: If “Mathematics” were a color or visual, what would it be?
RAKIYAH: Definitely a deep purple. It has enough richness and emotion, but it’s still dark and ambient. That’s the mood.
LUNA: What song or artist have you been obsessed with lately?
RAKIYAH: Three songs. “Celebrate” by Common Saints—I love that band. “Guilty” by Taemin—I was super late to it, but I’m obsessed with the hook. And “G.A.D” by Jada Kingdom—she blends dancehall, R&B, pop, and jazz with dark rock elements. I’ve been loving that energy.
LUNA: Last question! What’s a dream collaboration—someone unexpected or outside your genre?
RAKIYAH: Two: Doechii and DPR Ian. Her artistry is incredible. And DPR Ian—our alternative styles would blend so well. One Western collab, one Korean collab. Manifesting both!
LUNA: Love it. Thank you again for doing this. I had so much fun.
RAKIYAH: Thank you, I appreciate your support and energy. It means a lot when someone really sees your art.
