What’s one thing you wish you had known when you first started your music journey?
The one thing I wish I had known when I first started my music journey is sometimes strangers will support you more than people you’ve known your entire life, and you just have to be okay with that.
What was the inspiration behind your most recent single?
The inspiration behind my first single “Stuck” was me feeling drained from this on-and-off-again relationship I had going for many years. I had reached a point where I realized I deserved much more than what I was being given. So I had to let go, and it was not easy. I was essentially losing my best friend and my partner at the same time. It’s a part of the inspiration for my EP Phases as well, which should be coming out early 2025.
What’s your process for starting a new song?
My process for starting a new song is finding a really good beat, recording random melodies without thinking too much into it, and then turning those melodies into lyrics based on what I feel in that moment. I love creating new melodies; it’s my favorite part of the whole process. That and layering vocals. Most of my EP was recorded on my laptop in my room — I find I create my most authentic music that way. With the help of my amazing producers Justin Boyd and Paul Oseh.
Do you remember the first concert you ever attended?
I’ll never forget my first-ever concert; I was seeing Tori Kelly. She taught me how to do riffs and runs. I found her when I was 12 and studied her ever since. It’s funny — I actually just met her for the first time a couple of months ago and told her this. She’s amazing.
In what ways has music impacted or transformed your life?
I always knew I wanted to make music. My dad was a musician, and in my earliest memories, I remember him teaching me the Somali National Anthem on the piano. My parents are Somali; I was born in Atlanta, raised in Phoenix, but I moved back to Atlanta three years ago for music. Music has completely transformed my life. I’ve always felt like nobody really understood me or my life. However, music is a way for me to express everything — what I’ve been through, what I’m going through. I’ve always looked up to artists like Jhene Aiko for being able to be so vulnerable. Her vulnerability got me through some of the hardest moments of my life. I was 18 when my brother passed away and 23 when my other brother passed away. Most people don’t bury two of their siblings before the age of 25. Jhene Aiko helped me get through that, as she’s also lost a sibling and created beautiful healing music through her journey of grief. I hope I can be as vulnerable as she is and do the same for people who are experiencing similar hardships. My upcoming EP is about change and having to adapt to all the things life throws at you while being resilient.
Where can people connect with you online?
Thank you for your time, and to anyone who supports me. You can connect with me on Instagram and all socials @ayaanamine.
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This coverage is brought to you by 97OTIS, an independent artist redefining alternative hip-hop with poetic lyricism and raw creativity. Explore his music and join the movement to support independent art!
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