Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiyahn.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a first generation American, with a father from Iran and a mother from Peru, Though coming from a loving home, school was hard for me at first in light of aggressive Islamophobia in Texas post 9/11. Still though, I eventually found my salvation in music as a percussionist.
Going to business school in 2016, believing that music was something I couldn’t make a living doing, I wound up leaving school to focus on my career as a recording artist after discovering my disgust with corporate America’s practices and traditions from the inside.
With a few hiccups due to COVID, I finally found myself in LA in 2023. Now I drum and sing simultaneously with a backing band, performing around the city, and I’m crowdfunding an EP which will be produced by Grammy nominated producer Alex Elena in hopes of getting a recording contract with a major label. My newest music focuses on resistance in the face of tyranny, and self expression as a means of defiance.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Bullies growing up were tough. I’m middle eastern with a muslim father, and the kids in Katy, Texas post 9/11 weren’t too fond of that. Add onto this a speech impediment and a general “weirdness” compared to the other kids, and you get a pretty difficult social life until about age 15.
Finally finding myself and my people closer to adulthood, the biggest struggles became depression and substance abuse. I am now 9 months sober, and in a better headspace than I’ve ever been 🙂
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I began writing and recording music at age 19, stepping to the front of the stage after being a drummer for many years prior. I specialize in top-lining for myself and other artists, drumming while singing, and belting out Chris Cornell-esque performances with the tenderness of Jeff Buckley.
The things I’ve done that I’m the most proud of are fully self-funding my debut record by waiting tables as a full time college student at 19, and moving to LA by myself and establishing roots and connections at 25. I always accomplish what I set my mind to.
I’m know for fiery charisma onstage, rippling from my constant authenticity which can also be heard in music I write for myself and others.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned on my journey is to not set time limits on dreams. The universe, life, god, or whatever you want to call it, has a path and a vision that we just walk along. For so long I wanted to be the most famous person in the world by a certain age, only to realize that that may not be the life that brings me joy, or the role which enables me to make the world as good of a place as possible. Now I focus on being the best person I can be every day, knowing that my career will take the trajectory it is meant to when it is meant to.
Pricing:
- Currently trying to fundraise about $10k for my EP with Grammy Nominated producer Alex Elena
- $200 an hour for drums
- $375 an hour for vocals
- Writing -I’m always open to negotiation on pricing and writing points
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingkiyahn/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/KingKiyahn/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/KDSp-s4IHP4?si=esQbC1Ue_lIKsryL
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kiyahn-navissi
- Other: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-unsigned-artists-breakthrough-ep?attribution_id=sl:fe82f0cb-66a9-4716-8ee3-69126339520b&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp10_t1-amp13_t1-amp14_t2&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link
Image Credits
Riles Martinez
Maya Love Coppola
