Meet ABBIANA of Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to ABBIANA.

ABBIANA, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up in Baltimore to two eccentric Ghanaian parents meant I was exposed to a wide range of music. My parents were incredibly musical and always nurtured my love for it. They love everything from gospel, R&B, and 80’s Pop, all the way to Ghanaian high life and afrobeats.
By the time I was in middle school I turned to musical theatre, followed by four years at the Baltimore School for the Arts high school conservatory program where I studied opera. Then finally NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music where I honed in on my artistry and execution.
After graduating I moved to LA and decided to change my artist project to “ABBIANA” and start fresh.
Now I’m focused on R&B and am looking to lean into blending it with Afro as well.

Last year I had the honor to open as an artist for Audrey Nuna on her 13-stop north western tour.
As a DJ I had the privilege of going on the road with Amaarae as well as DJing for her for her MTV VMAS live push performance.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Currently my battles for time and money are my biggest obstacles. Growing up in the U.S., we’re made to feel like the best parts of your life are on a timer and that everything must be achieved before 30, especially as a woman. So naturally, I’ve felt existential dread about aging and wondering if I’ve missed my window.
But ultimately I know aging and time to be the greatest gifts we have.
Alternatively, I work a side job as a barista to maintain creative and scheduling flexibility which at times makes me feel like I’m not living up to my full potential.
But a job is a job and is not only a means to survive, but to create.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an Artist, songwriter, and DJ.
My specialties as an artist and writer are lush harmonies and striking melodies.
As a dj my strength is my ability to genre bend and read a room.

How do you think about happiness?
We live in a world that is so dependent on virality and numbers. It can be tough to remember that It’s a privilege to be able to create and share in any capacity.
So now I make sure that I derive my joy from my creative process because ultimately I want to create for the rest of my life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/whoisabbiana
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/1Z_fDz-RT8A?si=pJmVH6j0Kf7VW6NA

Image Credits
Photos 1-3 shot by Fiona Nova at the subculture party
Photos 4-6 shot by Lauryn Darden, covers of past releases
Photo 7 shot by Eric Hart Jr. for past release
Photo 8 by Julian Murray