Recorded in an intimate home studio in Bethnal Green, Spill a Little Tea was born out of quiet late night sessions that often began with a warm camomile tea and long conversations before any recording took place. The single blends jazz infused melodies with warm hip hop production, wrapped around Zuko Sian’s rich and expressive vocal tone. Her voice, which she describes as Burgundy red, is instantly recognisable for its warmth and emotional depth.
Spill a Little Tea was written in fifteen minutes following a falling out with a friend, during a period when Zuko had also experienced a difficult break up. She explains that she has always believed in calling things out because she cares, although not everyone welcomes honesty. The song reflects the courage it takes to stand by your truth, even when others may prefer the quieter version of you. The hook, You can say what you want about me but all I ever did was spill a little tea, captures that emotional pulse with clarity.
The accompanying music video, directed by Jade Laurelle, reimagines Paul Delaroche’s nineteenth century painting The Execution of Lady Jane Grey, one of the most striking works in the National Gallery. Together with cinematographer Bea da Gama, the creative team recreated the scene in extraordinary detail, from handcrafted sets to period accurate costumes and lighting that mirrors the tones of the original painting. Zuko even hand crafted the brooch on the executioner’s shoulder in her own living room, and the chopping block used in the shoot was made entirely out of foam.
She appears in the visual wearing a gown originally worn by Helena Bonham Carter in the 1986 film Lady Jane. The costume house Angels had sourced a different dress, but it did not feel quite right. When the staff returned from the fitting room with Helena’s gown, Zuko describes it as a full circle moment, a quiet resurrection of history and a tribute to every woman who has been silenced. The final visual is not simply a music video, but a moving art piece that meditates on betrayal, power, and the ongoing fight for female autonomy.
Although Delaroche’s original work was not feminist in the modern sense, Zuko notes that it highlighted a woman destroyed by the structures of male power. She believes that the story still echoes today across cultures, laws, and daily life. Spill a Little Tea is her way of saying that women will not be silent any longer.
Zuko Sian is a Dutch and South African artist whose music blends jazz, hip hop, and soul into storytelling that feels both raw and cinematic. Born in Amsterdam, she left business school with little more than a microphone and a copy of GarageBand to pursue music with full conviction. Her early demos quickly gained attention at ADE Beats, leading her to join the Herman Brood Academie and later collaborate with Grammy winning producers including Sam Barsh, Jordan Ware, and Tim Kellet.
Her work is rooted in honesty, female empowerment, and a deep exploration of family, identity, and resilience. As the creative director of all her visuals, Zuko approaches music video making with the precision of an art student and the imagination of a filmmaker. Each visual invites the audience to pause, look closely, and feel fully.
With her commanding vocals and striking artistic vision, Zuko Sian is emerging as one of the most captivating new voices in contemporary soul.
‘Spill A Little Tea’ is available now via all major platforms.
Connect with Zuko Sian
Credits: Photo Credits: Bella Howard | Song Credits: Written by Zuko Sian · Produced / Mixed / Mastered by Morenight (Adam Roberts)
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