iHeartRadio On The Verge

iHeartRadio On The Verge

Emerging artists to hear before they hit it big

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Aiyana-Lee: iHeartRadio On The Verge Artist

Aiyana-Lee cannot be put in a box. Combining elements of pop, R&Band soul with poignant, heartfelt lyrics about her lived experiences, she creates music that transcends genres. The singer-songwriterā€™s powerhouse vocals are captivating listeners, with her recent single ā€œBedroomā€ amassing more than 2.2 million streams on YouTube to date.

Aiyana-Lee grew up surrounded by music. Her mother, manager, and creative partner, Nicole Daciana Anderson, is a multiplatinum singer-songwriter (BLUE), her uncle was David Ruffin of The Temptations, and her grandfather was famed American soul singer Jimmy Ruffin. With such a rich musical history, it was inevitable she would follow in her famed familyā€™s footsteps. She began singing at age two, a charismatic toddler who would jump on stage any chance she got ā€“ especially while joining her mother on tour.

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Most recently, she was discovered by legendary music producer LA Reid, who signed Aiyana-Lee to his entertainment company& record label, HITCO.

Now 20, Aiyana-Lee has honed her skills and sound to create a stunning debut album, Wednesdayā€™s Child, which draws on experiences from her own life. Aiyana-Leeā€™s music fuses contemporary pop elements with classic R&B and soul vibes. Her songs offer lessons about staying true to yourself, avoiding the superficial trappings of Hollywood, the perilsof abusive relationships, and prioritizing yourself and your dreams over romance.

ā€œThese songs are the real story that come from everything Iā€™ve been through,ā€ says Aiyana-Lee. ā€œYou have to speak the truth and be authentic. Iā€™ve always been hands-on with every part of it and every story weā€™re trying to tell. There always has to be a story. It has to be intentional and have a purpose and a message. Iā€™m not saying shit just to say it.ā€

Over the years, Aiyana-Leeā€™s relationship with music has grown and evolved, ushering her through both dark and joyous times. ā€œAs you grow up, your relationship with music changes,ā€ she said. ā€œEspecially when youā€™re down or in a dark place, it resonates in a different way than when youā€™re happy. Music helped me through a lot ofdark shit.ā€

Growing up in London, Aiyana-Lee was constantly bullied at school. ā€œI was a chubby kid who was also very sassy and confident,ā€ she explained. ā€œNot a lot of people like it when youā€™re confident and have a dream. I was singing in the playground and getting told off for it and bullied.ā€She subsequently changed schools four times before being home-schooled, which allowed her to graduate high school early and focus full time on her musical aspirations.

When Aiyana-Lee was 15, she and her mother moved to Los Angeles so she could pursue her dream of being a singer. They struggled financially to make ends meet as the two poured everything into her career. ā€œMy mom sacrificed everything,ā€ Aiyana-Lee said. ā€œWe had to lose our house, we lived meagerly, eating canned foods together. Weā€™d makea good time ofwalking down the street and people watching, laughing when we didnā€™t even have a dime to our name. Thatā€™s what the song ā€˜Rich Kidsā€™ is all about. Itā€™s my story, but I feel like Iā€™m speaking to people who still gothrough the same thing.ā€

Meanwhile, ā€œGangster of Loveā€ is a soulful ballad with bite and a twist. ā€œItā€™s about falling for someone but reminding them and yourself that you wonā€™t allow them to play you, no matter how hard you fall,ā€ Aiyana Lee said. ā€œYou might just end up breaking their heart instead.ā€

Aiyana-Lee knew she wanted to create community through her music. ā€œI love expressing emotion, and being able to share it with so many people around the world. It helps you feel understood,ā€ she said. ā€œItā€™s that feeling of ā€˜Iā€™m not alone, even in a foreign country.ā€™ Music to me is the face of what humanity is. Artists are mediums to translate emotion in its purest form, without judgment or criticism. You canā€™t define it or put it in a box; you create a safe space for everybody. Thatā€™s what I want to do as an artistā€”to create a safe space for everybody to feel understood.ā€

Written during Covid-19 lockdown with ample time to reflect on her past and present, Wednesdayā€™s Child takes us through the journey of Aiyana-Leeā€™s unique and tumultuous climb to prominence. She hopes it will provide solace to others the way music has shepherded her through so much.

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