Atlanta singer-songwriter Butterfly Feels makes music to inspire freedom and self-love

On City Lights’ series “Speaking of Music,” local musicians share work and stories in their own voices. The Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Butterfly Feels is in this edition’s spotlight, and she makes “music to help you free yourself, and love yourself for being you.” A lifelong music lover and maker, Butterfly Feels credits her dad, a DJ with “crème de la crème tastes,” for helping cultivate her passion for music. “We listened to everything great — all the classics, all the hidden gems,” said Butterfly. 

Though Butterfly Feels has been writing songs for many years, her professional recording career began four years ago after teaming up with her wife, NOR KIN4LIFE, who contributes not only as producer but photographer and videographer. The sound they create together carries an uplifting energy, pairing the skittering hi-hats of trap music with mellow synth pads, sweet chords and laid-back vocal delivery. Featured track “Prove It,” according to Butterfly Feels, is “what you put on when you’re ready for the passion you’ve been manifesting to come and fruit before your eyes.” 

Though widely traveled, given that her parents both have military backgrounds, Butterfly Feels settled with her family in Atlanta and calls it home today. “I have a twin who has a bunch of beautiful children,” she said. “They’re so cute, they would make anyone want to move to Atlanta just to be able to see them more often.” Butterfly’s generous spirit comes out in the musical influences she names, and it’s mostly the people around her that get her creating. “My family inspires me. My friends inspire me. My wife inspires me, for sure. Even random strangers inspire me.”