Saffron from Republica reminisces about the 90s

Saffron from Republica speaks to Absolute Radio 90s about her memories of that great decade in music - and tells us what it was like being in a huge band back then. She also gives us a list of her favourite bands from the era, and the fashion tips she remembers from the time!

[@tashpope1]

I had the privilege of working with her as she was my singer teacher for a little while. She has such a calming and lovely ora around her. All the hate needs to back off because no one really ever knows a celebrity. She's 47 years old and still looks like a rockstar and in her early 30s.

[@SpecialDewi]

Thanks for sharing, she comes across so well as a person and visually in this interview so I believe what you're saying!

[@errorgorilla]

Thanks Tash Sucks. I don't know her but I've had a few conversations with her on Twitter and I've always come away with the impression of a genuinely warm, caring and friendly human. I don't think she's spoken publicly about drug addiction, so anything I say is purely speculation but behind every addiction there's a human being with a story. Nobody, apart from those close to her, know what she may have been through. All I can say is I'm happy that she looks well and I hope she's in a good place. Personally, I still think she's remarkably beautiful. Republica's new songs, Hallelujah and Christiana Obey show that she has not lost her ability to pen songs with killer choruses. I wish her well.

[@infinitedivide3288]

that's cool she teaches

[@problemdrinker]

'In early 30's' - chuckle. She looks like a rockstar in her late 40's, which is absolutely fine, as that is what she is. But let's not be silly now.

[@TheWonderfulWino]

More stories!!! I think she is great!!!

[@SJCMusic1]

I met her yesterday as my band supported Republica in Coventry. A throughly genuine and lovely woman!

[@johnmckee7640]

Seen njoi at technodrome. 1991.. Saffron looked amazing..Still does.

[@stevezane]

She's still cute and her personality makes her even more cute!

[@dadeleemurphy85]

hell yeah

Even cuter

[@FIONA21ful]

Same hair!! Love Saffron...her energy got me up and bopping for years.

[@rayvaughan3197]

She was captivating in her NJoi days ....stunning in her Republica days.

[@laurencelevene4333]

Saffron is the perfect woman. Beautiful, charming , charismatic and as stunning as ever

[@OGboxing...]

lol. Time has not been kind to her.

[@AaronIacon]

She looks great. Love her voice.

[@johndoe-dj3fj]

Her vocals on the original ready to go song might be my favorite woman vocal track ever. She's a legend, and still hot in my opinion.

[@markd3641]

I agree

[@ryblake8692]

I have met her 😍😍😍 she is lovely thanks saffy 😘 love you

[@GunLoc]

Saffron still looks great but man o man she looked hella fine back in the 90's! Especially in her video One Love and N-Joi's Anthem.

[@OGGalleryCrew92]

Yer She Did N -Joi Classic Tracks !

[@Mike_Davidson]

Music does go in cycles. We are now stuck in the, "What the fuck was that noise?", cycle.

[@tonysharples6233]

She was drop dead gorgeous in Njoi

[@charlescordell6337]

Tony Sharples I think, she still is!

[@tosborne8062]

Agreed. She is just WOW!

[@OGGalleryCrew92]

I'm In Love With You , Bom, Bom.......

[@eddo2001]

She looked her most stunning in that music video. Just the most attractive woman combined with a most fun 90s retro track..

[@earthwolf82]

When Republica were big, I was 14.. Now I'm 35..... Not getting any younger either lol

[@rockdavidrock15]

wow she is amazing, gorgeous, also I love her rare accent :)

[@saturnargentavis1901]

How is her Accent Rare?

[@MaX1MuS2k7]

Cockney

[@whoknew2273]

@@MaX1MuS2k7 Londoner

[@gary88b]

I think she's matured like a fine bottle of wine and is still gorgeous. Most of the insulters on here have been spoiled by "plastic" women. In reality the closest they will get to a woman is the "rubber" one they inflate with all the wind they are full of!

[@lavielemond]

+Gary Jones I concur with you 95%, mate...it's only her tattooed eyebrows that look fucking HIDEOUS, in my humble opinion...SCARY $HIT!!

[@franperez6388]

@@lavielemond I hate them too! I dont know why women do that

[@marcopolo7647]

Dang.

[@soridosuneku]

@@lavielemond Weird. They can always dye them platinum blonde (or color that matches their skin) to "get rid" of them temporarily

[@discodirtbox]

She is so lovely.

[@Konsker]

love her voice and love both ready to go and drop dead gorgeous by republica

[@docbrown7558]

Man those eye's. I'm surprised people didn't know she was part asian, she looked pretty asian to me back in the 90s as well which made her incredibly attractive/exotic. She looks more asian now, some people must be blind she is still a stunner I wish I'll look good as she does when I'm in my 50s!!

[@johnwilson2284]

She looks pretty Asian to me man

[@InternalMind]

Nigeria with a blend of Portuguese, Chinese and English ancestry.... she's more portuguese and nigerian the asian part is a bit more distant

[@herpderp7264]

@@InternalMind She doesn't have Nigerian in her. She was just born there. She is 1/4 Chinese.

[@JD1976]

I seen some haters on here. Saffron is hot as hell. still so beautiful.

[@lexclock]

was*, accept the point man is not hater but not pretend to see things that they are not. Parts of life is that beauty fades away I am not trying to be mean

[@Dan4x2282]

Long time ago now. Great times I was 14 in 96 great great times the last few years of what was the england I once knew

[@Dan4x2282]

Leroy Gallagher yes I left in 2000 went back in 2006. Yes it's changed a lot so I'm told wouldn't want to go back.

[@stevencoardvenice]

God . Women age terribly. Especially british women. Murica!

[@spamnegg.1798]

meeg_2005 must be all that sunshine dryin up the skin lolzzzz.

[@grindass]

meeg_2005 True that ,it's the gin !

[@Dan4x2282]

yeah the gin.

[@hektorlinko]

I Love this woman!!! She is so awesome!!! Very beautiful!!!! You're a pretty woman!

[@user-mr6cd1gf1y]

Fabulous songs , I still play them. So unique with video flying through England cities. So cool. Just great saffron. Michael. Manchester M14

[@Dani-et2bo]

I love you Saffron!! You are so beautiful and you're music fantastic

[@slhines7]

Wow, her accent is much stronger than I figured it'd be.

[@theresuga]

+slhines7 Yep her voice is not what I expected at all!

[@slhines7]

For sure, but it is nice to see her either way after all of the years.

[@bobthebear1246]

In all fairness, she kinda sang that way, too.

[@BeatpathSoundDesign]

Awesome ***** , she still looks fantastic, very classy.

[@wiretamer5710]

Saffron is amazing. Got enough energy for 20 people. A total performer born out of her time. A hundred years ago she would have been a vaudvillian. She projects a powerful sense of fun, but it is so very controlled. She had this massive shield around herself. Maybe that is why she has consistantly looked so much younger than her actual age. She's clearly a very pervate person which is a shame, because its only through incorporating your own truth, that you can grow as an artist. She has a very rich and colourful life which could touch so many people. She is a hero to many, but she could be a hero to so many more.

[@markgreet3543]

She's just one of most beautiful women in the world great voice songs 🎵 53 ?? Looks better than most 25 years old women stunner honest about musical tastes she had respect to such a nice lady down to earth 🌎

[@NinaB1977]

She's so down to earth and kind. Great to get her perspective on music and fashion too.

[@wrinkleneckbass]

She still looks incredible and that smile just lights up the entire room. She's definitely had work done on her teeth (haven't we all), I know she had knee surgery probably from years of jumping, and there are those pictures of her from May 2008 with the band Parka where she's very thin and you can clearly see some kind of damage on her left cheek (some people say drugs were the cause). There's even a video here on KZbin if you search "Parka - Album Launch - The Vibe Bar, London May 2008". She obviously had some tough times in the mid to late 2000's so I'm glad she's back and doing well and I hope she's happy.

[@YM-lp3ve]

I really like her 😊 she is an icon and very humble, in my teens my friends compared me to her

[@markovitorovic]

She looks so attractive in One Love video, my favourite video of her...

[@christopherchadsey9266]

Saffron is my favorite alongside GWEN STEPHANI. I still watch her stuff. I really really want to meet the band. Yes I love your hair Saffron. Perfect hair. Brothel keeper?? Nice Rockabilly style.

[@dreamyblue44]

hey, she's same age as me, love her, great interview!

[@russellpotts3069]

I like her down to earth and unpretentious. A real 90s icon

[@boblozaintherealworld3577]

I discovered this band and Saffron much after the fact. Their music was HUGE. And she mentioned 'Screaming Trees'. Nice. Whether she knows it or not, she was the grunge version of Benatar.

[@Al-kb2xl]

They aren’t grunge lol

[@boblozaintherealworld3577]

@@Al-kb2xl You're correct! They were just a real 90's rock band. And Saffron was like Benatar's feisty daughter. Or something like that.

[@deerhunter2218]

I've always liked Saffron as she seems a wee bit shy but on stage she can go bananas lol, also a beautiful looking woman who had a great voice, as soon as she said she wore crepe shoes cos the Clash wore them! Well that just makes me like her even more, great front woman and top singer, keep it going Saffron ♥️

[@DanielMartinello]

Screaming Trees, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Hole... MARRY ME, SAFFRON!!!

[@profeler]

NO! NO! Don’t listen to Daniel. MARRY ME!)

[@profeler]

But I guess I’m too young for her…

[@m.asquino7403]

Saffron where you been girl missed you! From Massachusetts, USA

[@chrischadsey7311]

What can I say about Saffron... I worshipped her back in the day. She is still as beautiful inside and out as ever..of course I always love her bobcut. Always perfect... The Brothel Keeper... 🙂

[@SeahawksBamBamKam]

She is a 90's Icon especially in Europe I've always liked her and she still looks good same hair.

[@melmortimer1545]

Love the realism .and honesty...and just being herself..not loud and big headed. Like some. . And..she's a Brit...English girl..great interview...big fan!!!.. ♥️⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@melmortimer1545]

@Mark Richardson if u want to split hair's....shes half English...first and last txt..Cheers keep enjoying republica....👍..

[@raisinlove]

Another comment on her looks: I never guessed she was asian from her younger pics. Now it's obvious. Still beautiful :)

[@eddo2001]

Mixed asians are some of the most attractive people on the planet. We need more.

[@scootergreen3]

Same here.

[@kanedaku]

Shes a quarter Asian. In this interview though her makeup accentuates it more.

[@hornet1blue]

Nigerian born would you believe 😃

[@trevorloughlin1492]

@@eddo2001 Karen O is another example of Mixed Asian ageless beauty and hybrid vigour. Both hot. And very talented.

[@salazarangelo1499]

She is a legend ! 👍

[@hewgrebe4771]

Fun hearing from her. Great singles her band had, too.

[@dominicfastbender4029]

I hope it will come around again too. I miss the excitement of waiting to see what was happening this week. I loved Leftfield as well and most of the same bands.

[@user-xt3ul8er1t]

Stunning back then, stunning now! :)

[@christiancircelli8159]

Timeless beauty this woman is.

[@markgreet3543]

Great looks still very pretty good songs 🎵 love to see them live

[@deletebilderberg]

Chatted her up once back in the day. Beautiful eyes. She was very sweet.

[@bobthebear1246]

Awwww Saffron is so nice!! 🥰

[@dbt2166]

THIS LADY IS A BRITISH BRAND...GOOD LUCK SAFFRON...I REMEMBER YOU FROM BACK IN THE DAY

[@TheKoss11]

😍she is amazing

[@MexcalliPivare]

Gorgeous!

[@GamerX71295]

We still love you from the '80s

[@aldoherrera7749]

Que linda...era !

[@robertcox3872]

This woman is what a True Londoner is all about I was over there and My Mother is from Lancashire Proper Saffron is 100 % Pure about what she is nothing fake

[@johnwheatley3479]

N joi singer on stage she was electrifying

[@mattrobson3603]

One mean comment: Apparently you can keep the same haircut for two decades. One nice comment: I came here because I just watched the headache-inducing video for 'Ready to Go'. It's still a great song. Republica has a lot of tracks that, as the kids say these days, 'slap'. Great fuckin' band. I don't think I heard any of their songs until I was in my 20s (that is to say, after the turn of the millennium) but for a band that only put out two albums, thay had a disproportionate number of good songs. If, for whatever reason you are reading this Saffron or any other members of Republica: thanks for the beautiful noise. There will be a movie in 2090 that uses 'Ready to Go' on it's soundtrack. (It may not be a popular movie, but still. Beats what 99% of us will ever do with our lives.)

[@mimosa27]

She strikes me as a ball of fire!

[@TheMasterQuests]

I sometimes wonder how it was back then for the average Joe. I was born in the mid 90s yet I want to experience the decade for myself.

[@jakezywek6852]

I was born 87, so didn't really get to experience the full 90's party.

[@TheMasterQuests]

@@jakezywek6852 At least you experienced the late 90s scene

[@jakezywek6852]

@@TheMasterQuests It was a magical time, but the star dust soon wore off as 2000 approached.

[@TheMasterQuests]

@@jakezywek6852 early 2000s were fun too well for me anyway

[@christheghostwriter]

I was in my 20s in the 90s, played in alt rock bands and did live electronic music at clubs and raves. It was the last generation before the internet and cell phones. We got away with so much that would be impossible today. There will never be another massive underground scene, because as soon as anything good happens, the whole world knows about it instantly.

[@matrix26uk]

Ahhhhhhhhhhh Samantha, good times!

[@The_Digital_Dolphin]

When she said she liked the Screaming Trees i knew i wanted to marry her

[@horusheresy6949]

Damn the time has flown by

[@nickthelick]

She said Screaming Trees! Holy fuck! Love her more now!

[@maximilliancunningham6091]

Stunning, in every respect.

[@wrh152]

I don't mind Republica, but she kicked ass big time as the singer for N-Joi when they did PAs in the early Nineties. Class act.

[@KevinAnchi]

80's was the golden time of the era

[@OneUponADime]

Late 90s ftw

[@thomasmcdonald3196]

She was gorgeous in N-Joi... 😍

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Hi. Her face changed a lot. the smile is different the eyes are different. It can't be aging, she's not that old. I love Saffron and Republica. God bless, Proverbs 31

[@OGGalleryCrew92]

Samantha Sprackling Singer For Seminal 90's Rave Band N-JOI - Anthem, Classic Rave Track !

[@bigd5080]

Ya she’s right. British music scene in the 90s was FANTASTIC! In the States too. It was great coming out of the terrible 80s. Oh and she fine too.

[@theothersideisjustashard3237]

total babe!

[@RedVelvetUnderground333]

Love it

[@glenbentley5020]

Great band

[@williamkern7931]

Portuguese, Chinese, and English. Thank me later.

[@donnyannessa654]

William Kern isn’t she Nigerian aswell?

[@herpderp7264]

@@donnyannessa654 She was born in Nigeria. Her mother is 1/2 Chinese 1/2 Portuguese.

[@donnyannessa654]

Herp Derp And her dad?

[@herpderp7264]

@@donnyannessa654 Wiki doesn't say. Probably a British guy. Her younger interviews she just looks white, but you can tell she has Asian in her here.

[@pippo-1073]

I thought she had a Chinese look to her.

[@rickproctor9621]

Everything about this lady is super hot. Seems like such a kind person.

[@julianp4787]

She's graceful, extremely talented, and red hot !!

[@LondonRaider75]

Used to see her at The End when Jeff Mills played

[@minniedoe]

She was already 30 years old in 1998. It's now 2013. That makes her 45 now.

[@Josh_J91]

51

[@sharpshooter147]

shes still hot

[@finishin.my.coffee8780]

I forgot they had a song in Scream. It's weird...in N Joi, she seemed a bit older than she was when she was in Republica even though she was 5 or 6 years younger.

[@OGGalleryCrew92]

Republic was after N joi, Republic was in 1994 wile 2001, N-Joi - Anthem ( Music Is A State Of Mind E.P, Was 1990 on white table and 1992 on Public release !

[@finishin.my.coffee8780]

@@OGGalleryCrew92 Whatever her skin care routine was at the time, it definitely worked!

[@matrix26uk]

Bought my 1st pair of brothel creepers in 1984. I was 11

[@danieldawson-smith2780]

i grew up in a generation of dance and British bands living in the UK. Radiohead beats the cheesey shit we have to put up with now days. as a kid i was into DJs like; CJ Bolland, Fatboy Slim, Liam Howlett and all that sort of thing. but equilising the concept i like some international bands and DJs like Junkie XL, Daft Punk and all that.

[@Curls105anarm]

Wow! She’s so pretty.

[@p.skadell3149]

Had a crush, you know. Still a beauty.

[@brianlion9494]

Definitely would

[@elusivejahnell]

It's the girl from Chesney Hawke's 'I Am The One & Only' video!

[@futuramayeah]

i live in america and i would have and would see them in concert, but i think they never played here only in britain

[@bobthebear1246]

*Interviewer:* "What's a brothel-keeper?" *Me:* THANK YOU!!

[@luisgerardoluevanosmedina4604]

She found our 2 Colombia

[@lenarose1022]

Oh I remember this thing about this video. There was this BDSM website they came up with that offered free memberships that was a pretty big deal and they used this thing for it, people bullshitting that you're a free member so how can you say you are anything at all . I was thinking about it and it zones in on the fact that she is wearing a leather jacket. And that is odd, difficult to blur windows in shots like this which is why they don't use them too much in interviews I suppose.

[@GodOfVictory501]

Shes still a babe as far as I'm concerned.

[@philipm06]

Botox babe.

[@chickenzalfrezi]

Proper 90’s girl

[@blackporscheroadster-yw8hb]

We glorify the past....when the future dries up.

[@commiekillahjay2525]

So pretty.

[@saturnargentavis1901]

loved her in the 90s. she looks older than my gran now wtf?

[@daviz2519]

Pretty like always

[@spartan7911]

I had no idea she was born in Nigeria

[@miskelproducts41]

I want her sooooo bad!