Alexa Goddard's Top 10 of Me: "Beyonce smells like perfection"

Singer Alexa Goddard lays claim to a rare chart feat; entering the UK Top 40 without any publicity or support from a major label. The track in question was a cover of Soulja Boy's Turn My Swag On, which entered the Official Singles Chart at Number 20 in 2010.

Fast forward four years, and Alexa is now signed to Jay Z's Roc Nation and is gearing up to release her first major single, So There. 

Ahead of the song's release next week, we thought it was about time we got better acquainted with the rising star. Here's what she told us...

10. I hope people like my new single So There.

It’s very pop, it’s fun, it’s catchy, the video is really colourful and it really represents me. Even though on my album there’s a real mix of songs, I think this track is the perfect way to introduce me as an artist.

9. The first single I ever bought was Wannabe by the Spice Girls...

When I think of that song I instantly remember the video. I remember instantly falling in love with the girls – I wanted to be just like Baby Spice. When I got the single, I was in my living room and just annoying my three older brothers by blasting the song on repeat.

8. An important album in my teenage years was Acoustic Soul by India Arie.

I remember one of my brothers used to listen to it and I would say it was boring, but when I reached 14 or 15 I realised it was an incredible album. It’s still one of my favourites today. Even though I was young and didn’t necessarily understand all the lyrics, I thought her message was so uplifting and her voice was incredible.

7. The first song I ever recorded was a cover of River Deep, Mountain High by Tina Turner.

I was going to sing it in my school talent show and I wanted to hear what I sounded like. I was 14 at the time and thought it sounded pretty good, but now I listen back and cringe. I remember performing the song in blue jeans, pink high-heeled boots, a sleeveless shirt that tied up at the waist, a denim jacket and a bright pink hat. I looked completely ridiculous! Thank god I won the contest - it was the first thing I’d ever won.

6. My sound is very pop, but I’m influenced by a huge mix of artists from all kinds of genres.

On the pop side, the Spice Girls were obviously a massive influence, but I also absolutely loved Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. On the flip side, I also had and still have a massive thing for R&B/Soul artists, including Sam Cook, Donny Hathaway, India Arie and Whitney Houston. Although my sound overall is very pop, I like to think vocally it’s very influenced by R&B.

5. I still own all my Spice Girls merchandise.

Posters that were all my wall, any sort of clothing with their faces on it, the dolls… all of it! Remember the photographs? I had all of them. I even managed to get a signed photo of them from a friend of my parents’, but I didn’t believe it was real, so I licked my finger and smudged the autograph. I was annoyed, but delighted!

4. One of my all-time favourite gigs was going to see Whitney Houston.

I must have been nine or ten and she was phenomenal. Even though I was young, it was when I realised I wanted to be a singer. It was a big moment for me that had a real effect.

3. I met Beyonce and she smells like perfection.

...and vanilla! I met her backstage at hers and Jay Z’s On The Run show in Paris. Someone from my team at Roc Nation introduced us and at first she shook my hand and kissed me on the cheek, but I couldn’t resist going in for a hug. You know when you hug someone and you linger on a bit too long? Well, that happened. Later in the evening she complimented my shoes, which made my life.

2. My debut album is pretty much done, but I’m keeping it open just in case.

I’m so happy with how it sounds, but I’m haven’t 100% locked it down in case any new tracks or a chance to collaborate comes up. The majority was actually recorded in May last year, so I can’t tell you how excited I am to get it out! We’re looking at early next year for a release.

1. The most important thing about my music is that it is fun and represents every emotion you can feel.

There’s a track on the album called We Broke The Sky. It’s a really beautiful song produced by Stargate and it’s the big ballad on the album. Another track I’m excited about on there is called called Stay Pretty which was co-written by Ester Dean and Chris Brown – it’s a real girly anthem. Then there’s a song called Pretty Girls which was produced by DJ Mustard. I call it my ratchet tune. I don’t know if I can get away with that, can I?

Alexa Goddard’s new single ’So There' is released October 26. Click here to pre-order the song on iTunes.