British soul-R&B songstress Geo Baddoo steps confidently into a new era of self-empowerment with her introspective and bold new single, ‘My Turn’. Anchored by a minimalist yet emotionally rich sound, the track is a declaration of self-worth and intentional energy, marking a pivotal moment in Geo’s artistic journey. Produced by Geo herself, alongside longtime collaborator Steve Marshall, ‘My Turn’ features the late Reuben ‘Sleepy’ White on percussion, whose rhythmic touches bring a soulful depth to the track. With lyrics that speak to self-affirmation and breaking negative cycles, ‘My Turn’ showcases Geo’s talent for blending vulnerability with quiet strength, drawing inspiration from legendary artists like Sade, Erykah Badu, and Nina Simone.
In this feature for Noctis Magazine, Geo Baddoo opens up about the inspiration behind ‘My Turn’, the experiences that have shaped her, and the delicate balance she maintains between confidence and humility. As a London-based artist with roots in Somerset, Geo’s journey is a testament to her ability to weave her countryside upbringing and city life into a unique sonic tapestry. Known for her gentle yet powerful vocals, she continues to captivate listeners with her soulful storytelling and raw emotional honesty. With My Turn as the first of several 2025 releases, Geo is inviting listeners into a world of self-reflection, resilience, and purposeful growth.
‘My Turn’ marks a powerful shift in mindset for you—what moment or experience catalyzed this evolution in your approach to self-worth and boundaries?
The shift that ‘My Turn’ represents definitely wasn’t a sudden breakthrough. Like many artists, I’ve faced a period of intense self-doubt, fear, and complete creative block. A few years ago I hit a point where I had to ask myself what kind of life I even wanted. Music is and has always been an unyielding part of who I am, but during that time I was battling burnout and so much noise that I lost touch with my identity and purpose.
To be honest, I never seriously considered giving up, but I definitely lost my way. I’m grateful to now be in a place where I fully back myself, and My Turn is a reflection of that. Every day I have to work to maintain and protect this, and that’s where the boundaries you mentioned are essential. My Turn isn’t just a song – it’s a mantra I carry with me.
You’ve described ‘My Turn’ as a declaration of intentional energy. How do you personally stay grounded and intentional in an industry that often pulls people in many directions?
Staying grounded and intentional in this space definitely takes a conscious effort at the moment. I often feel like I’m doing a hundred different jobs – and sometimes catch myself wondering, when do I actually get to make music? It’s easy to lose sight of the whole point. For me, prioritising my creative practice keeps me centred. I have to make sure I take time to create, to give life to my ideas and feelings, and to understand what it is I actually want to say.
That time is precious and a lot of personal growth is happening there. So when everything gets a bit much, I tune into those discoveries to re-centre and stay in touch with myself. I also give a lot of value to small, everyday joys that bring me back to the present. When I’m present I make better decisions, create better music, and keep my focus.
The track carries a beautifully minimal yet emotionally rich sound. What was your vision sonically when producing ‘My Turn’ and how did you and Steve Marshall bring that to life?
Minimalism was definitely important. There were a lot of elements added and then stripped away because they just weren’t necessary. I feel like it’s always about serving the essence of the song. The original rhythm that I found in Steve’s archives was the foundation, so the vocals were created from that. Building around that, we aimed for a warm, light, soulful soundscape that gave the lyrics room to breathe: lyrical guitar, glowing synths, a dreamy steel pan line, and a grooving, driving bassline. The piano and synth parts descend, which adds a soulful, jazzy touch.
Repetition of the bassline gives it a meditative feeling too. As usual, there was a lot of experimentation, but we ended up focusing more on texture and tone than layers of complexity. Steve’s musicianship and sensitivity were key. I’m still finding my feet with production so my ideas are often abstract, but he interprets them so well. He also really listens – to the vocals, to the silences – and responds intuitively. Some tracks are harder to get over the line, but this one came together very naturally.
Reuben ‘Sleepy’ White’s percussion adds a subtle but powerful layer to the track. What did it mean to you to include his presence on this single?
Sleepy’s percussion part was recorded over two decades ago, during a session with Steve that ended up forming tracks for other artists such as Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. I discovered the basic rhythm while digging through Steve’s archives, and it instantly resonated with me.
It’s crazy that something created when I was a baby has found new life in my music. Steve and Sleepy played together on many recordings, and in many bands so, in a way, My Turn is a preservation of history, and I really appreciate these roots. Sleepy was a true drumming legend and pioneer so it’s very special that he’s on this.
You’ve mentioned being inspired by artists like Sade, Erykah Badu, and Nina Simone. What elements of their artistry have shaped how you approach songwriting and performance?
Three amazing artists – all different with their own unique qualities that I admire. Something linking them for me is a duality – complete strength combined with subtlety, sensitivity and fluidity. This really speaks to me as an artist and a person in general. Individually, I admire Nina’s fearlessness. Nothing was off limits – she moved between styles and genres freely, always making it her own. Her passion and dedication to the music itself, above everything else, is clear.
I also try not to box myself in. Sade is the epitome of complete control, her voice is full of soul without gymnastics. She uses her voice in such a controlled way, truly as an instrument. There’s a quiet confidence in her delivery that feels so effortless. Erykah is a masterful storyteller, I love how she explores life on every level, and through every lens. Zoomed in, zoomed out. Physical, spiritual. Baduizm is one of the greatest albums of all time, and her influence is everywhere.
You grew up in Somerset and are now based in London—how have those contrasting environments influenced your creative process and artistic identity?
I’ve only been in London since the start of the year, so I’m still adjusting. Growing up in Somerset and later moving to Devon, I often felt like ‘the only one’ in a number of ways. That gave me a strong internal world, but also disconnection. The slower pace and closeness to nature definitely shaped how I create.
London is a total contrast: faster, louder, more energy and pressure – but it’s pushing me to be bolder and explore new stories, methods, relationships. I definitely carry Somerset and Devon with me – the clean air, the fields, the wildlife. It’s my foundation. But I needed this shift to grow and sharpen my tools. I needed new experiences to write about, and new mistakes to make and learn from.
‘My Turn’ is about stepping into your power without playing small. How do you navigate that fine line between confidence and humility in both your music and daily life?
I really believe in duality – I can be confident and strong, and still humble and gracious. I’m not just one thing. For me, stepping into my power doesn’t mean shouting the loudest. It’s about staying connected to the ‘why’ of it all, and also remembering that I’m always evolving and learning. Confidence is about truth – not performance.
I am definitely not always confident, but I’ve worked to build resilience and I’m proud of that. I have a solid relationship with myself – I know the warning signs that I’m veering off course and can bring myself back into balance. I also have a very small but strong circle of people who help hold a mirror up if needed.
Your music leans into themes of emotional honesty and quiet resilience. How do you protect that vulnerability while sharing so much of yourself in your art?
Since I started writing music, I’ve always laid myself bare. I’m not afraid to do that. Vulnerability creates depth because our inner worlds hold so many layers of stories, impressions, and contradictions. That’s where the richness comes from. It’s also just the kind of artist I am – there’s always going to be a piece of me in everything I write. Music is how I process life, so by the time I share a song, I’ve usually made peace with whatever inspired it anyway. For me, there’s strength in being able to show softness – I don’t see the two as opposites. If it’s honest, it can resonate.
This single marks the beginning of a series of 2025 releases. Without giving too much away, what kind of emotional or sonic arc can listeners expect from what’s coming next?
I’m in the midst of big changes and growth in my life, so the music is evolving with me. People can expect to hear new flavours as a result of experimentation and international collaborations. There’s a through-line of subtlety and sensitivity in everything I do though, and that’ll always be a part of the story! Emotionally, the upcoming music touches on different facets of life – exploring themes of spirituality, unity, personal power, and love (to name a few). It feels both personal and universal, and I can’t wait to share it.
In a world often defined by noise and distraction, your music invites stillness and introspection. What do you hope listeners carry with them after hearing ‘My Turn’?
If ‘My Turn’ offers someone a moment of stillness and introspection, that’s a beautiful thing and all I could ask for. I’m not here to teach or tell anyone how to feel, I’m just sharing what I’m working through myself. At its core, the song is about returning to yourself and embracing your light, come what may. I hope it speaks to self-love!