The moment YAGUT’s voice touches the first note, something settles in you. It’s gentle but present, never overpowering — just like the title of her latest song: “Luft.” A song about needing space. About being in love without losing yourself. And I’ll admit — I can be the kind of person who, when really in love, wants to be around the other all the time. To merge, to not miss a moment. But this track reminded me of something quieter: that love doesn’t always mean closeness. Sometimes, it means giving each other space to breathe.
YAGUT’s voice is both tender and grounded. It moves like light on skin, and it’s that soft strength that stays with you — and quietly sets the tone for everything she sings. “Luft” isn’t about leaving — it’s about staying true. About drawing a quiet line and still holding space for connection. “When someone can’t understand that I need space, I start to feel like I’m losing my balance.”
Originally from a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia and now based in Berlin, YAGUT is carving out her place in the German R&B and pop scene — on her own terms. Inspired by artists like Brandy and Tori Kelly, her music blends emotional clarity with soulful melodies, offering something both personal and resonant.
With “Luft” and her upcoming EP “Ego,” she’s opening up a new chapter — one that explores boundaries, softness, healing, and the quiet power of knowing yourself. “‘Ego’ is about finding clarity and trusting yourself again.”
In this interview, we talk about all of that — the moments in between, the language of softness, and how singing in German became both a challenge and a kind of liberation.
photography by Zachow Anika
Yagut, I’m really happy to get to know you! Congratulations on your release “Luft” — I absolutely love it. It truly feels like air: light, soft, and beautiful. Are you excited about the release? (smiles)
Thank you so much, that really means a lot to me. I always aim to make music that’s true to what I feel, that carries emotions others can relate to in their own way. I’m very happy for the opportunity to share my music with others.
Let’s talk about your song “Luft.” Where did the emotional starting point come from?
I was in a relationship with someone who made me feel very confined. I realized through this experience that I’m a person who needs time for myself, space to reflect, reconnect, and grow. When someone can’t understand that or won’t give it, I start to feel like I’m losing my balance. It was challenging to express that without it being taken personally and to set healthy boundaries. That was the emotional starting point for “Luft.”
When you’re feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, where do you go to breathe and reconnect with yourself?
I always return to nature. I love walking barefoot in the grass. Or I meditate. Honestly, I don’t need a specific place — just space to really check in with myself.
German isn’t always seen as a “soft” or soulful language, but you’ve really proven otherwise. What made you choose to write in German, and what challenges or freedoms has that brought?
Thank you for the beautiful compliment. German is my mother tongue, and it’s the language I can express myself in most deeply. It feels a bit more vulnerable because everyone around me understands it, but at the same time it’s really freeing not to have to hide. Of course, it’s also harder to sound “sexy” in German without making people uncomfortable (laughs). But through the melodies, I try to give a broader international feeling, adding warmth, softening some of the harsher sounds, and allowing the emotion behind the lyrics to come through first and foremost.
“German is the language I can express myself in most deeply. It feels a bit more vulnerable — but also freeing.”
“Ego” is the title of your upcoming EP. Can you tell us more about it and what we can expect?
“Ego” is about my personal healing journey, breaking away from ego-driven behavior. Some of the songs reflect early experiences that were difficult but deeply shaped me. The music also moves toward release, away from spiraling thoughts and into something more grounded. It’s about finding clarity and trusting yourself again.
You grew up in Berlin, a city full of contrast and rhythm. How has that shaped the way you write and feel music?
I actually come from a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia and moved to Berlin about four years ago. Berlin taught me to think bigger and break out of old patterns. Here, you can be whoever you want to be. I stopped thinking in boxes. That opened up how I write, and that freedom finds its way into my music.
Your Instagram presence feels soft, feminine, and carefully curated. How important are fashion and style to you, and how much thought and time do you put into your social media presence overall?
On one hand, fashion is really important to me, but on the other hand, not at all. I actually studied fashion design for a few semesters and love how outfits can accentuate personality. But I don’t want my confidence to come only from what I wear. I think a lot about my presence on social media and how I can create an atmosphere that feels light and effortless, even while creating content almost every day.
“I don’t want my confidence to come only from what I wear.”
In one of your Instagram posts, you mentioned that your song might already be viral if it had been released in the U.S. instead of Germany. How do you see the current state of the German music scene, and what do you think still needs to change for the better?
The German music scene could definitely be more open and willing to take risks. Thankfully, that’s slowly changing for the better, but there’s still room to grow.
Also, we spotted some of your drawings — so cute! Are paintings another creative outlet for you?
I’ve always loved expressing myself through different art forms. Sometimes I can’t express in words what I paint, and vice versa.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Friday night?
Simply said, spending time with my friends.
And finally: What has been the most important life lesson for you so far?
There are so many, haha, but the most important ones are: your gut never lies, set boundaries, and everything happens for a reason, even the “bad” things. They lead you to where you’re meant to be. Just trust.
Follow YAGUT for more:
www.instagram.com/ya_gut/
