Sydny August Is Creating Her Own Orbit — And It's Magnetic
- Jordyn Mayes
- Jun 4
- 5 min read
The Chicago-born R&B artist isn’t chasing trends — she’s building a world of timeless sound, raw emotion, and fearless self-expression. With her new single 'Spin the Block' and a headlining show on the horizon, Sydny August is claiming her space — on her own terms.
Sydny August has a way of making you feel like she’s been soundtracking your life all along — even if you’re just discovering her.
With a voice that melts into melodies like late-summer heat on vinyl and lyrics that feel like pages pulled straight from her diary, the Chicago-based R&B artist has been quietly — but powerfully — building a universe of her own since she emerged onto the scene in 2016.
Now, with her latest single Spin the Block out in the world and her first headlining show coming up this August, it’s clear: Sydny’s not just in rotation — she is the rotation.
“I’m Not Here to Prove Myself to People Who Already Had the Chance.”
There’s a confidence in Sydny August’s voice that doesn’t shout — it soothes. Think SZA’s self-awareness, Summer Walker’s intimacy, and a dash of Aaliyah’s effortless cool. Her music blends contemporary soul, soft-spoken R&B, and elements of pop and trap, but what truly defines her sound is its emotional resonance. It's music that feels like a private conversation with your best friend at 2 AM — one where you’re both healing.
Ask her where it all began, and she’ll tell you it was in a creatively-charged household filled with instruments, encouragement, and early YouTube covers.
“I was always singing — making up songs or singing along to the radio,” she shares. “My parents were supportive, my sister’s creative too. I was just surrounded by it.”
That love of expression eventually led her through vocal recitals, choir performances, and into a high school music program that nurtured her growing artistry.
Spin the Block and the Art of Emotional Alchemy
If you’ve never hit play on a Sydny August track, she suggests starting with How Does It Feel, Speechless, and her new single Spin the Block.
“Those songs really show my versatility. I’m super emotional,” she says with a grin.
And Spin the Block isn’t just a bop — it’s a blueprint for healing. “I actually made that song two years ago,” she says. “But it still feels so relevant. That’s what I love about my music — I think it’s timeless.”
The song entered the world on May 24th, channeling closure, not chaos — a recurring theme in her latest mixtape, Rotations II. Described by Sydny as a sequel to her earlier Rotations I project, this release bends the rules of traditional R&B, layering in trap, pop, and melodic experimentation.
“I wanted to show that I can do more than one thing. Melody-wise, flow-wise — I went there.”
Yet, even while testing her limits, she remains rooted in emotional truth. One track in particular, Round of Applause, challenged her vulnerability:
“It’s definitely a ‘clap for me because I can do this on my own and don’t need anyone’ energy,” she says. “That one scared me to release.”
A Soft Voice, A Strong Presence
Sydny’s delivery is often described as soft and soulful — a contrast to belting powerhouses that are often associated with the genre. But that’s part of the magic.
“I never felt the need to do too much. Even when I covered Adele or Whitney on SoundCloud, I did it my way,” she explains. “Aaliyah was a big inspiration for me. Her voice — it just was. She didn’t have to force it.”
That same authenticity extends into her creative process, which she describes as anything but predictable.
“Sometimes I start with a beat. Sometimes a random lyric in my Notes app. I might record at home or work with my engineer, Castle,” she says. “It’s never the same. And I’ve learned to stop being such a perfectionist.”
While fans are still waiting on a full-length follow-up to her 2020 debut Miss August, Sydny says she’s in no rush.
“I’ve recorded so much over the years. I want to curate something really intentional. Right now, I’m focused on releasing smaller projects that reflect who I am now.”
And what’s next? She teases one more project before the year’s end, with Spin the Block serving as its lead single. “The quality’s gone up. The strategy’s smarter. It’s growth.”
From the Chi to the Charts
Growing up in Chicago gave Sydny her edge — and her empathy.
“There’s so many different sounds here — Ravyn Lenae, Tink, Chief Keef, Kanye. That diversity inspired me,” she shares.
Her Mount Rushmore of Chicago artists? “Tink, Old Kanye, Chief Keef, Lil Durk.”
Still, she feels the city’s R&B scene deserves more shine.
“We’re here — you just have to tap in. Chicago isn’t known for R&B, but we have so many talented, soul-speaking artists. It’s time.”
This summer, she’ll headline her first official show at Evanston SPACE on August 22 — a full-circle moment after nearly a decade of creating.
“I’m curating everything — from the set design to who’s opening. I want it to be an experience. I’m so excited.”
Lessons from Durk and Dreaming of a Bieber Collab
Sydny’s name might not yet be on the Billboard charts — but it is in Lil Durk’s phone. Her unexpected feature on his track Love You came about with a simple text:
“He sent me his verse and hook, and I was like, I don’t care what it sounds like — I’m hopping on,” she says. “It was surreal. I didn’t even know it would make the deluxe album.”
And then there’s the unreleased track she’s secretly saving for Justin Bieber. “It’s more indie-pop — kind of different for both of us — but I know our voices would mesh well,” she says. “I already have the song. We just need his verse.”
When asked who else she dreams of working with? “Tink, of course. That’s my girl. We’d make a fire heartbreak anthem.”
The Heart Behind the Art
For all her vulnerability in music, Sydny describes herself as pretty mysterious in real life.
“It’s very Hannah Montana,” she laughs. “In real life, I can be guarded. But in music, I lay it all out. It’s my therapy.”
When she’s not making music, Sydny stays grounded with family time, movies, and bowling nights. Her self-care rituals? Water, Pilates, and “a lot of self-help books.”
And her journey with love — the topic she’s explored most deeply — continues to evolve.
“I’ve had to adjust my perspective. Not be so selfish in love. Writing about it has definitely changed the way I see it.”
Legacy in the Making
Looking back on her early work, like her 6th Floor EP, Sydny says she’d tell her younger self:
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Just record. Add more harmonies. But don’t overthink.”
Now, nearly a decade in, she’s learned the most important lesson in an industry obsessed with virality: “Longevity matters more. I’m not worried about trends. I’m here for the music.”
And when all is said and sung?
“I hope they say I was timeless. That I was innovative. That I was versatile.”
Spoiler alert: They will.
Catch Sydny August headlining Evanston SPACE in Chicago on August 22, 2025. Her new single “Spin the Block” is out now on all streaming platforms.
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