Cover Story: BLK BRIT Meets Äyanna

Photography by Ogaga Blessing

“ I'm a British girly ! I love LA & I love Atlanta my label (LVRN) is based in Atlanta. I'm always in America but I'm British and I want that to be felt in my music.”

Äyanna is a pop/RNB artist who delivers sweet and soulful sounds to listeners who are open to hearing a refreshing sound from the UK scene. Signed by Atlanta based label, LVRN, home to artists alike such as Summer Walker, Davido, 6Lack and DRAM, it’s proof she is on her way to being a powerhouse in the music industry. With only a few years of musical experience under her belt, the opportunity for Äyanna arose - providing backing vocals behind Stormzy’s popular track Hide & Seek alongside Afrobeats star, Oxlade.

Throughout the years, Äyanna has progressively blossomed into her own sound, producing her 5 track EP In A Perfect World, which includes singles Girlfriend and Say You Love Me where her lyrics creatively knit together her experiences of love, heartbreak and nostalgia throughout.

Photography by Ogaga Blessing

Coming from a British-Jamaican upbringing, how would you say this influenced your sound?

I think Jamaicans have really eclectic music tastes. Whenever I'm in Jamaica for Christmas, they would put on Barbara Streisand, they’re listening to many different kinds of artists - a lot of pop. Besides the reggae influences, I grew up listening to Bob Marley, lovers rock, bashment as well. Just [based on] how eclectic their listening taste is, I would say this has made me someone who will see the beauty in every genre.

That’s important because there’s so much music and sounds coming out now, so it’s good to do a bit of everything. What genres are you interested in exploring that you haven't done before?

Every single genre! (repeats) Every single genre! Apart from maybe heavy metal (lightly touches throat). I don’t want to do anything too crazy! I love jazz. I'm so curious about jazz and the blues and classical music. I'm kind of curious about music; from the music in the 50’s and 60’s, how they would do these really interesting harmonies.

Would you try country?

I would try folk, anything I could find an authentic connection with.

Having previously worked with great RnB artists such as Mneliaa and Tamera, could you share how the idea for the collaboration came about?

It just felt like a no brainer. They're two girls that I know, that I'm really fond of and I have a lot of respect for, and they were down to do the remix. And they ATE it up! I really love those girls.

Photography by Ogaga Blessing

You have a cover releasing this week Friday titled Is This Love, do you have any more projects that we can look forward to this year?

Definitely! Definitely more music coming out this year for sure!

Are you going to be doing any performances?

I'm performing in June and I'm performing in August. I can't believe I get to do festivals this year, I’m so grateful for that.

How do you feel about your career generally? Is this something you have always wanted to do?

I caught up with a primary school friend and she told me, when I first met her in primary school, I told her I wanted to be a singer when I grew up.

Ooh, so it’s been a full circle moment! Being co-signed by someone as big as Stormzy on the track Hide & Seek. What direction has your career taken since then?

It's been a steady incline, a steady progress and nothing’s been too crazy or too much to handle. I think everything has been sustained growth that I’m very grateful for and I’m taking everything in.

How do you feel about the current landscape of RnB music?

It's crazy! There's no other way to say it. I feel like UK RnB music has always been around, but I feel like for whatever reason, we are just screaming to be heard. I think people are so ready to be seen and heard, and I think they have more of a platform now and I think it's growing.

I completely agree. For example, Ella Mai has gone over to America; is that something you would consider doing in the future, or would you stay here?

I'm a British girly! I love LA and I love Atlanta, my label (LVRN) is based in Atlanta. I'm always in America, but I'm British and I want that to be felt in my music.

Photography by Ogaga Blessing

“I love jazz. I'm so curious about jazz and the blues and classical music. I'm kind of curious about music from the 50s & 60s and how they would do these really interesting harmonies.”

If you could work with 3 to 5 artists, who would you like to work with?

I would love to work with Mahalia, I would love to work with Stormzy again. I love to do a feature. There are so many good artists that I’ve seen that I would like to work with, and US artists. I think Jordan Ward is really cool.

How do you see your music evolving in the next 5 years?

I think the music is eating currently and over time I'm going to get better at what I do. I see albums and projects as portraits of yourself, so I think I'll get better at painting a clearer picture. And that's probably what's going to happen in the next 5 years. Better at painting a clear picture and that's probably my artistry and what I put out. And that's what I have control over. The universe and the world can do what they want with that. I have no idea how that’s going to look in 5 years, but I know that with everything that comes, I’m going to be prepared for it. I pledge to get better and that's it.

That’s the only thing that is important. As long as you’re evolving and growing, that’s the main thing.

Editor In Chief Raissa Coulibaly, Editor Charlene Haylette, Photography Ogaga Blessing, Interview Savannah Brown, Assistants Jodi Clarke & Destinee Kouassi, Talent Ayanna