Kali Uchis Wishes Everyone Roses

Do you have pop ambitions with this album? 

I don’t think it’s a pop album. There’s probably only one song on the record that I would say is a pop record, which is “Endlessly.” I really fought for that song. I never knew that [producer] Rodney Jerkins had wanted to work for me. One day, somebody sent me this instrumental and I guess they also sent me a top-line, which is basically when someone writes a song and is like oh, maybe you can sing this. I don’t sing songs that are already written. Just as a writer and someone who has a unique voice, I feel like my melodies have to come from me. It’s very rare that I’ll sing someone else’s melodies.

I wrote a whole song to [the instrumental], sent it back, and said, “Hey, who is the producer on this?” That’s when I found out it was Rodney Jerkins—and they told me he had written a whole song to the beat. I must’ve completely disregarded it. I talked to him and explained everything, and he was actually like, “Okay, let’s do this.” We met in person and did a production session in real-life. Sometimes, when people are just sending stuff, things can get lost. I always prefer, when I work with people, to talk directly to the artist. It’s the best way to work. 

Can you unpack the track “I Wish You Roses?” It’s so loaded lyrically, I’m wondering where the sentiment and exploration came from.

I used to listen to a song a lot when I was little—“I Wish You Love” by Laufey. The message of that song is releasing someone with love. I feel like it’s something that I really felt inspired by. I felt like the song was so pure—and I don’t hear a lot of songs like that, especially nowadays. I feel like music nowadays is targeted towards being toxic, that’s what’s trendy right now. But I feel like it’s a message that’s timeless. I tried to write this song from my highest self. That’s what I wanted to open the album. It doesn’t have to be about a lover—it can be about losing a friend, even enemy, the people who wish the worst for you. It’s basically about wishing the best for everybody because that’s how you’re gonna be able to let the blessings into your life.