Samira Mighty unleashes 'gritty' debut solo single Like This, Like That

"I want people to think 'okay, she means business!'"

Samira Mighty may have first found mainstream media success via the Love Island villa, but music is in her DNA.

Having appeared in such West End Shows as Dreamgirls and Mamma Mia!, before going on to compete on The X Factor: Celebrity, Samira's always been destined to stand alongside, as she puts it, the 'big pop girlies.'

And now is her time, with Samira is set to unleash her debut solo single Like This, Like That on February 16.

"This is exactly what I've wanted to do my whole life," she tells us. "I've had the vision, and now it's finally here. It's really special."

Chatting to OfficialCharts.com about the track, she says: "It's so exciting. It's a banger. It's such a hard-hitting song. It such a dirty, clubby song. This song is sexy, dark, moody. It's gritty."

And she's not wrong. Like This, Like That opens with a strikingly-brooding beat: "Nightmares, sometimes I get honest when you're not there. They come and I let them, there's nothing I can do, nothing I can do, I need you right here..."

It's obvious, from the outset, that this isn't just a by-numbers dance hit. It's got a certain grit to it.

Then comes the monster chorus: "You got me like this, like that. You make my eyes roll right back. You got me so good it's bad, you're running through my brain, yeah..."

So, why Like This, Like That to launch a solo music career? "Because I'm a dancer originally, Like This, Like That just feels like such a big number. I imagine it with dancers, a full stage; a spectacle."

On the track, Samira's teamed up with Danish pop producer Cutfather; known for his work with the likes of The Pussycat Dolls, Kylie Minogue, Olly Murs and so many more.

Not bad for a debut single, eh?

MORE: Coi Leray's Players is the UK's biggest Trending song

Talking about working with music icon Cutfather, Samira says: "I love going to Copenhagen. They're great guys to work with, the Scandinavians know their pop music. They go big or go home.

"When you go into the studio, all the hits are on the walls and you just think 'wow!'. One of my favourite tracks they've done is The Pussycat Dolls' I Hate This Part. I used to belt that out when I was younger. That felt so exciting."

Teasing the upcoming music video, being shot this week, Samira says: "Expect something dark, moody and in-your-face intimidating!

"You're going to be shook by the music video. I'm going all out, throwing it all in your face. I want people to be shocked. I don't think people would expect this quality of song from a former reality TV star. I want people to think 'okay, she means business.'"

Samira's brand-new single Like This, Like That is released Thursday February 16.