Life & Work with Anjali Asha of Burbank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anjali Asha.

Hi Anjali, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area I’ve been writing music since I could hold a pen. My dad had a studio and produced Hip Hop, Techno, G Funk, and Freestyle music. I was raised by and around artists. A first generation American on both sides, my dad is from Fiji and my mom is from Mexico. Mariachi and reggae were big influences culturally, but my passion was found in the lyricism of Hip Hop and the soul of Motown and Funk.
When I turned nine I came to my dad and told him I wanted to be a singer, to which he replied “hell no”. He knew the dark sides of the music industry well, especially for a young woman, and was immediately against the idea. I pleaded my case until he caved and allowed me to record a song I had written. I never let him keep me out of the studio after that.
A few years later he’d be taking me to LA to audition for the voice, write for other artists and general studio time with bigger producers.
Fast forward to 19 years old, my move to Los Angeles full time is imminent- I had found a small art house to move into and was set on chasing my dreams. Three weeks before I was supposed to move I get into a car accident involving a drunk driver. I had a severe concussion, and broke both my cheekbones, my nose, and my jaw. Needless to say the move, music, and my life were put on hold. I blinked and 7 months had passed in a blur of Hospital visits, Morphine, and Percocets. What truly woke me up from the haze my recovery put me in was the realization that for the first time in my life I had gone months without writing a single song. I went cold turkey on everything immediately. It was a very bold decision that I am very grateful I made.
Up until this point, I had spent so much time in my career and life listening to what others thought was best, marketing, stylistically, even sound wise. Almost dying at such a young age woke me up to the idea that we all die anyway. From the day I got clean, I decided that I would live life and create on my own terms, regardless of public or professional opinion, and I have to say- It’s going great.
Fast forward to now. Countless surgeries and a whole lot of audacity later. My determination has inflated to new levels. Eventually I got a license and took I-5 on by myself. I’ve lived in my car, in airbnbs, friends couches, you name it. A classic Los Angeles cliche fueled by a Bay Area hustle, I’ve been told I’m “As West Coast as it gets”, high praise in my opinion. These days my dad is my biggest supporter and advocate. My best friend Tati (@Tatiwannadesign) is my Manager, public relations, photographer, graphic designer, and SO much more (If I cant do it, she can) and that’s the team. I’ve collected an insanely talented contact list but I mostly attribute my success to being equal parts kind and determined.
In April of 2025, I independently released my second album “Rent’s Due”. After, I found myself at a crossroads. An accumulation of 70+ songs, ranging mostly to completely done, sat in a hard drive staring back at me and I realized I’d created so much and had no idea how to market it all ‘properly’. I couldn’t keep up with my own output. I have no major backing, a minimum wage job and no money to pay a team. Looking in the mirror, I decided what I did have, was relentless optimism and a healthy enough arrogance to pursue releasing one song, every Tuesday, for an entire calendar year. That’s 52 weeks. 52 songs. Also, because that just didn’t feel like enough work I guess, I decided I would also vlog all of it!
I am currently coming into week 18 of what has been a snowballing journey of juggling every role there is to play.
Doubt no longer serves any purpose in my life. I am more confident than I’ve ever been, not only in the quality of my craft but in my own capacity. I’ve proven to myself that limits only exist where I place them and it steadily shows. I’m currently back and forth from the Bay to LA, working on new songs and finishing old ones. This project has pushed me far from my comfort levels and I’m extremely proud of the pace and quality of it all. I am welding a network of incredibly creative individuals into community, through collaborations and mutual support. My “why” is not fame, ego, it’s not simply to make a living off of my creativity. I want to do the artists’ job of breathing hope back into communities. I want to unite people, inspire them to chase a life they love, to view the world with a sense of ownership. I want to showcase resilience as if it were a common trait rather than a super human strength. I imagine that this mindset will keep me feeling successful regardless of where my career takes me, so far so good.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not in the slightest! The car accident is easiest to point toward, but I’ve had songs stolen, ripped off, haven’t been paid, i’ve had artists release or use my work without permission or producers who tried to ice me out because I wouldn’t sleep with them, If you name a stereotype I’ve probably got a story around it. I got scammed out of 3k at 21 trying to get a smino feature. My hoopty got stuck on the side of I-5 is 109 degree heat. I’ve slept in cheesecake factory parking lots after shifts. I’m sure I could write you a laundry list of the ridiculous things I’ve seen, done, encountered in this world, but it’s all starting blend together. I don’t think I can name a time its been smooth.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional recording artist and songwriter. I specialize in Pop, RnB and Hip Hop. I enjoy collaborating with people from all over and working with developing artists. Helping people find their voice and writing for those who aren’t ready to share their own. I’m most proud of the impact I’ve had on others, musically, energetically and personally. I think this is what sets me apart. My perspective of the world to many may seem delusional or optimistic, but that doesn’t make it unnecessary.
There are a lot of incredible singers, writers and artists out there, I believe bringing people hope and showing them that positivity exists in successful spaces is a very undervalued purpose. We need more passion, understanding and intent. We need to be shown that good is not only possible, but that we are capable of it ourselves. My outlook is one I preach, not out of self importance but out of care for others well being and happiness. I want to show people that the world is brightest when we light it ourselves, and I think reinforcing this ideology through practice will always set me apart in the best way and that the art I create embodies this.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was the girliest girl. My little pony, bratz dolls, littlest pet shot, and fairies- who’s favorite rapper was Young Joc. Everyday I came home from school and watched 106& park. To the outside world I was a tomboy. I wanted to be tough and respected like my dad, the uncles I grew up around and the rappers I watched on TV. Music videos captured me in a way movies never could and I quickly became obsessed with that felt like discovering how to create entire universes. Everything was different, new, exciting, unique to them. They’re lyrics and performances inspired different ideas of who I’d be as a person not just as an artist. I was shown very young- through music, that I could express myself in a million different ways and never be done.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://engineears.com/anjaliasha_
• Instagram: @AnjaliAsha_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnjaliAsha99
• Twitter: https://x.com/anjaliasha_
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiGHBxBLoNliD2sS9jwRHRZjQ3ZswIxxD&si=0HileTHn1e5aA0XF

Image Credits
@yoookayla
@TatiwannaDesign