In September, I received an invitation to attend a studio session featuring an artist whose name I would quickly remember: Aiyana-Lee. I listened to the sampler her team sent me and immediately knew I had to see her for myself. To say I was impressed with what I witnessed in this intimate Los Angeles studio would be an understatement.

Signed at HITCO, a label co-founded by LA Reid, Aiyana-Lee is originally from LA via London. The 20-year-old has the soul of someone who’s been here before, but balanced with youthful energy. She’s inviting in a way that makes you feel like a close friend whose relationship with her always picks up right where it left off, no matter how much time has passed.

Despite her black pixie cut and patterned frame that would convince you that she’s a guitar-breaking rockstar, Aiyana-Lee isn’t limited to just one genre. Influenced by Amy Winehouse, Christina Aguilera, Motown and her one-mother multi-stage singer-producer, Nicole Daciana Anderson, the Métis singer has a this factor that cannot be labeled, but is unmistakable when you hear it.

I caught up with the emerging sensation to discuss his latest singles “Rich Kids” and “Gangster of Love”, as well as his long term goals as an artist.

This interview has been condensed for length and clarity.

After the release of “Rich Kids”, how did it go?

Aiyana-Lee: Oh my God. Honestly, it’s been so, just sharing the music with people. Behind the scenes we just shared it and saw everyone bring such a different take on the songs. “Rich children” [is] a story I wanted to tell for so long because when I got there [Los Angeles], [my mom & I] were broke, eating canned foods. We [had] I lost my childhood home and struggled to make ends meet, so I thought it was a good time to drop something like “Rich Kids” because I know that so many other people find it difficult to overcome this. I’m like, yeah, I’m not alone. Because you feel so lonely when it really happens to you. Music is that connector in my life that I feel like I unite with so many people.

You consider “Rich Kids” to be your debut, but discuss your growth since 2020’s “Inside My Sin”. Do you now feel disconnected from this song?

Oh wow! I think “Inside My Sin” was a really good starting point. It really set the tone musically for where I wanted to go, but there has been such a great growth since then. We really refined who I am as a person, what my character is, what experiences I have had [had] throughout the past five years. There is such growth between “Inside My Sin” and “Rich Kids”, and even between “Rich Kids” and “Gangster”. [of Love]. “Every song feels like a discovery [of] a different piece of the puzzle from what this whole project is.

How would you describe Aiyana-Lee to new fans?

Often people try to say that the artist is different from the person. But for me, the artist is like an extension of the person. It’s the way you express how you feel. It’s the connection between you and that kind of creativity. And how could I describe [myself]? I would say authentic above all.

For me, this whole project has just been really real and honest and raw about my emotions which can be a little scary at times, especially when I admit I’m wrong about the project. Often times I admit emotions I’m not proud of, but [that] I always want to share and be open and vulnerable. So just vulnerability, authenticity, and being who you are. This is what I defend as an artist.

What kind of stories do you want to tell through your music?

Come here, be super broke and try to get out of it, then figure out what Hollywood is and what’s out here – the fake producers, the music creeping up, the sexism – there are so many factors and moving parts. in this city. I have a song called “Hollywood” that delves into the fake things and people and these experiences. Then something like “Gangster of Love” where it’s about falling in love with someone, but not being fooled into that love. It’s always such an uplifting song. I have the impression that in love songs, you are kind of a victim of love. But in this, I dominate him. I’m just so glad everyone can hear the whole thing [project] from top to bottom.

I’ve been playing “Gangster of Love” since listening night. It’s my favorite song. What was the inspiration behind this?

This record is so special because, again, I didn’t feel like there was a love song. Everyone was talking about being the victim of love. [But] this [one is] conquer it, be very aware of the situation, be aware of yourself. And I feel like that’s almost a little warning too. Like you broke my heart, that wouldn’t be great for anyone. I’m not a heart you can break. I am not the correct one.

The lyrics are so visual and really paint the picture of what this song is. You can be vulnerable in love, can’t you? You can let go of your walls, but at the same time you will respect me. I can still see the red flags. I’m not blinded by rose-colored glasses not to see what’s going on. So, you know, I’m the love thug. I love what he says and what he encompasses, and I think it’s just a hymn to empowering love.

I like this. I can’t wait for people to consume it over and over again. Let’s talk about some of your musical inspirations.

Oh my God, I love it. Well, first of all, my mom is my biggest musical inspiration. It’s amazing because she’s a single mom and there was always music in the house. There was always music. She had the best quality music played by Christina Aguilera, [who’s] a great inspiration for me. Of course you have Amy [Winehouse], Adele, Bruno Mars and a lot of Motown stuff that we’ve encompassed and infused into this project. With this whole project, we were not afraid to experiment. Not necessarily [trying] be like everyone else, but just close the door and really focus on what I want to create as a person. I’ve listened to so much music from rock to R&B to pop that I feel like this album has it all.

I was going to ask you if the project is only R&B, or encompasses several different genres.

It’s certainly several different, including R&B, of course. On another song called “Miserable”, there are so many different flavors, but the cool thing is that it stays consistent because it’s almost the same narrator and the same story is told throughout, but we’ve definitely encompassed a lot of different genres.

Can you give fans a taste of the visual aspect of “Gangster of Love?”

Well what I can say is that with whatever clip we do, I want people to feel what it is through the visuals. It’s such an important part of the artist’s journey and it really shows what this song is because it’s almost another layer to the story when you add a visual to it. So all I can say is it’s gonna be a shock.

Do you think you have to live up to the “Bedroom” video and its millions of views?

I think I still strive to, [but] I feel like it’s more. I want to reach people who will receive and appreciate music. It does not matter. Of course, you always want to reach more people and have a bigger audience so that you can really have live shows and experience it collectively with a lot of people. But for me, as long as it touches people and they feel something, that’s the biggest goal for me as an artist. If I hit a hundred people and they say, “It really helped me,” I got the job done.

When can fans expect the full project?

The entire project will be abandoned for good next year. And I really want to do shows. Whatever the form. Whether in Los Angeles and hopefully get to [be the] first part of a tour, that would also be amazing. These are in the works now, but you know, again, I’m just excited to reach more people, hopefully expand the audience and sort of create that safe space in the community. . [with] people who really love music and share the same stories… That’s the ultimate goal.

Watch the full lyric video for “Gangster Of Love” below.