PERFORMANCE | Nilüfer Yanya | TEDxTeen

Special performance of “Small Crimes” and “Baby Love”. TEDxTeen opening music by Madijuwon.
Growing up in the heart of London, 21-year-old Nilüfer Yanya’s exploration of music was immersive from the very start. After discovering classical piano at secondary school in Pimlico, it was a little later at Saturday music school that Nilüfer’s relationship with the electric guitar grew and was taught by Dave Okumu of The Invisible.
“I had some great teachers and really got into the idea of writing my own songs, being in bands and playing the guitar,” says Nilüfer, “When I first started writing music, I listened to a lot of indie guitar bands such as the Pixies, The Cure and Bloc Party, but since then, my influences have widened and now include more soulful artists like Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley and Bill Withers.” The subject matter of songs is subservient to mood, beauty and feel. “I don't have a definitive process of writing, but normally I will come up with the main pattern, then the melody and the words follow,” Nilüfer explains.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at