Today we’d like to introduce you to Adanna Duru.
Adanna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by music, so I’ve been singing as long as I can remember. My parents would play ABBA in the car and I was always listening to Top 40 radio. I’m fortunate enough to have very supportive parents that would bring me to every audition we could find. When I was 15, I made it onto ‘The Voice’ and was on Adam Levine’s team. I was really scared but was so appreciative to have such a great opportunity and to be around amazingly talented people. When my time on the show ended I started a cover band in high school and that really strengthened my stage presence, which in turn helped me on ‘American Idol’ when I was 17. ‘Idol’ allowed me to gain credibility in the industry as a performer. Getting to the Top 10 was a surreal experience, but so was just being on the show, having grown up watching it. It affirmed that music is what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. After my time there, I started vocal coaching again and started releasing original music. A big inspiration of mine is Michael Jackson. I would sit and listen to the production of his songs and then would write my own when I was only 12.
Great, 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?
It has not been a smooth road. It’s been hard to accept being an independent artist. I grew up listening to people like Beyoncé and Mariah Carey, who are signed to labels, and that’s what I wanted for the longest time. After coming off the shows, I became depressed. It had to do with the fact that as a black artist, I was being acknowledged less than other contestants. That’s still something I struggle with because black artists just aren’t given as much opportunity or privilege. However, I do also recognize that I have had the privilege of having so many great opportunities.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I write my own songs, as well as songs that get pitched to other artists. That has always been a dream of mine and I am at a point in my career where that is starting to happen which is so exciting! I also co-produce most of my songs. When I’m not working on my own music teaching vocal lessons is how I support myself independently. I’m very passionate about telling my story so people get the full picture which I think also translates to my stage presence, which I feel I’m most known for. I think that was a large contributing factor for getting into to the Top 10 on ‘Idol’. Because I’m not with a label, I have the freedom to do whatever I want creatively which I feel sets me apart. I try to be as vulnerable as I can in my songs so people get to truly know me.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Some of my favorite memories from childhood were spent with my dad. Though now he lives in Nigeria and my parents are separated. Sometimes I think back to when we would sing together, but I also hold resentment towards him. Even though that is the case, I also know that everyone is flawed and we’re all just trying our best. But he’s definitely the reason I love music as much as I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.adannaduru.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adannaduru/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdannaDuru/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/adannaduru
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/adannaduru
Image Credit:
Chellsea Elle
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