Q: Tell us your story behind your newest single “Replace U”.
AYKIYAH: The story is pretty general. coming to your senses in a relationship, romantic or platonic, and realizing that you deserve more than what you’re being given. and of course it’s sad.. but it’s eye opening and made me realize that working on myself is better than waiting around for someone to realize my worth.
Q: When you create music, what is your personal purpose or goal?
AYKIYAH: When I first started writing I’ll be honest, I was trying to please someone. and I was writing to achieve a certain sound in RnB that was “hot” on the charts… that was almost a year ago. now, I just write about either things I’m personally going through or weird and odd little short songs that I think could be next level if it were full out produced. I make music to please myself now. I honestly ALWAYS think “if I heard this on the radio, would I listen to it?” when I go into the studio to lay vocals. I want others to relate of course, but getting wrapped up in what people think can really cloud your personal judgement and admiration for your art.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
AYKIYAH: I enjoy the freedom of expression. I really find a thrill in getting to do what I love everyday, create. I also really love connecting with other musicians/artist and just creating things together. I wouldn’t trade this, or music, for anything in this world.
Q: How would you describe your music?
AYKIYAH: I would describe my music as a rendition to early 2000’s RnB/Pop. Especially my releases that are set to come out in the middle of July and the rest of the summer releases. They really take you back in time. Aaliyah, Jazmine S, early Rihanna’s type of vibe. I like to incorporate that time into most of my records because that is my favorite era of music.
Q: Would you like to collaborate with anyone? If so who and why?
AYKIYAH: Tayla parx and Jeffrey Eli… that’s a no brainer. They both have been huge inspirations on my songwriting and melodic choices. They’re just… themselves and can turn the most simplest of words to where it sounds like I’ve never heard them before. Or, as if im hearing them in a different way for the first time ever…. It’s riveting. Yeah, huge fan. Would LOVE to work with them. To even just be in a writing session would be so cool.
Q: What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Any releases planned? Future gigs?
AYKIYAH: Music, music, music! And visuals. I have two releases planned for this month of July. And then for every month after that. I find myself creating more than one song, so I have an album worth of music now probably, haha. So, I’m excited to finally just let my guard down and share it all. I’m also putting together a live show….which is honestly going to be insane so. Get ready. 🙂
Interviewed by Stephanie Pankewich
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