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Who is Sudan Archives, the singer who plays the violin like a rockstar?
Unique and brilliant, American singer Sudan Archives is the rising star of the prestigious label Stones Throw Records — known for releasing masterpieces by J Dilla and Madlib. As she is unveiling her third album THE BPM on this day of October 17th, 2025, Numéro has met with the coolest artist in all of Ohio.
Sudan Archives unveils her third album The BPM
Sudan Archives is one of those self-made artist shaking up the music world with her talent and originality. The self-taught violinist and singer is on a mission to reinvent this instrument too often limited to the universe of classical music. She plays it like a rockstar, swaying all over the stage in her sultry, candy-like outfits.
In her tracks, she fuses electronic music, folk, R&B, afro-pop, and jazz sounds and layers them with her mesmerising voice. A style that’s even caught the attention of major fashion houses like Chanel, which included her latest single “DEAD” (released in June) in the soundtrack for its Fall/Winter 2025-2026 haute couture show.
She can sing, rap, play almost every instrument, and she composes her own songs… On her second album, released by Stones Throw Records in 2022, Brittney Parks, aka Sudan Archives, was already asserting her singularity. While her debut project Athena (2019) celebrated femininity, her sophomore effort Natural Brown Prom Queen explored her Cincinnati roots and personal world.
As she is unveiling her third opus The BPM this Friday, October 17th, and prepares for a European tour, which includes a stop at Le Trianon in Paris on December 1st, let’s look back at our encounter with the singer in 2022.
Interview with singer Sudan Archives
Numéro: You are an artist who is hard to pin down. How would you describe yourself in a few words?
Sudan Archives: I sing, I play the violin, I rap, I make my own music, I write my own songs. I’m also a visual artist. Some would even qualify me as a fashion icon…
Your latest album Natural Brown Prom Queen, released in 2022, was described by your label as your most personal project to date.
The relationship I’m in right now really encouraged me to be more of myself. I wanted to reconnect with my roots. I felt like tracing back where my parents came from. They’re from Detroit and Chicago, but they also have African ancestry. I’ve always been drawn to that culture, it’s actually why my mom nicknamed me Sudan. My first trip outside the U.S. was to Ghana. It was an amazing experience, a real culture shock too, and it deeply shaped my first album Athena.
You sing a lot about life in Cincinnati and your desire to go back there. Are you homesick?
Yes. I’ve been living in Los Angeles for a while now, but I really miss Ohio. During the pandemic, one of my friend’s relative passed away from Covid-19, and I had to go back for the funeral. It made me feel really nostalgic. I wanted to see everyone I grew up with, the people I used to make music with… But I couldn’t express myself artistically there. The only music they play is country or jazz, but like, old-school jazz.
A self-taught artist
Where did your first musical awakening happen?
When I was younger, I spent a lot of time in church, either playing music or just being there with my family. We would take part in gospel concerts with the crowd in a trance, organs, saxophones… When I started playing violin in the orchestra, it felt like I had finally found my place.
Who do you prefer, Sudan Archives or Brittney Parks?
I honestly have no idea. I used to try and hide Brittney behind Sudan, but not anymore. I even reference her on my last album for the first time, in the track OMG Britt [released in 2022, ed.].
Your mom gave you the nickname Sudan. But why “Archives”?
Because when you’re a public figure, you become an archive. Do you know the artist Nia Archives? She’s the first person I know who also picked that name. It’s like Lil Wayne and all the Lil B, Lil Pump, Lil Nas X that followed. I feel like I started a movement [Laughs].
Violin and pole dancing
You have been playing the violin since childhood. What is your relationship with this instrument?
In the US, violin is either for classical music or, on the flip side, for gospel ensembles in church. It’s almost wild! You’re standing, dancing, moving your body… When I discovered that, I realized that I could do what those rock guitarists do, but with my violin.
Speaking of your musical knowledge, you have a keen interest for ethnomusicology [the study of traditional music across different ethnic groups]. Does it influence your work?
I’m fascinated by African string instruments, whose traditions are fading because they’re becoming less and less popular. That’s what made me want to help bring them back into the spotlight by incorporating them into my own music.
In your videos, on Instagram, or on stage, your outfits are always colourful, sexy, and striking. Where do you draw your fashion inspiration from?
I’ve always loved fashion. But I really leveled up my style thanks to designer Candice Cuoco [a finalist on season 14 of Project Runway, ed.], who let me wear her creations on stage a few years ago. Her clothes gave me those Mugler or Vivienne Westwood vibes. She lent me some wild pieces, like corsets with all these crazy deconstructed laces. They made me feel really confident.
“I love the contrast between my music, my classical instruments, and my stripper look. No other violinist dresses like that.” – Sudan Archives
How do you choose your clothes?
My style has completely changed. I often go to Santee Alley, this little boutique in Los Angeles where strippers and drag queens shop. That’s where I get the stage looks for my tours. But I rarely wear designer pieces because they’re not convenient for my shows.
What are your criteria when picking up your stage outfits?
I need to be comfortable enough to scream in people’s faces, run around, and play the violin [Laughs]. My style keeps getting more fabulous, with my high stilettos, wigs, and mini skirts. I love the contrast between my music, my classical instruments, and my stripper look. No other violinist dresses like that.
Do you know how to dance with a pole?
I’ve always wanted to be a stripper! In the video for Selfish Soul, I even dance on the pole with my violin. And in the video for OMG BRITT, I completely destroy it. I wanted to express the breaking of boundaries in a visual way being a stripper, a rockstar, and a violinist all at once.
THE BPM by Sudan Archives is out now. Live concert at Le Trianon in Paris on December 1st, 2025.
