Today we’d like to introduce you to Aiyana-Lee Anderson.
Aiyana-Lee, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up surrounded by music and being brought up by a single mom, I was lucky, as she took me to recording studios, understood my passion for music and supported it to this day. So much so that four years ago, we moved to L.A to pursue my dream as an artist. I started to sing since I was two years old, as my mom who’s a multi-platinum singer-songwriter took me on her tours all over the world. I was born and raised in London, but I’m also American on my father’s side, inheriting a rich musical history from his lineage. My uncle being David Ruffin, lead singer of The Temptations and my grandfather being Jimmy Ruffin, solo artist, both signed at Motown by Berry Gordy. My first album sold over 500,000 copies when I was four years old, which propelled me on to a wide platform, by means of TV, radio, etc., even bringing me a letter of congratulations from Her Majesty The Queen of England, at the age of ten. I started to work with renowned songwriters and producers, who’ve worked with acts such as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Beyonce, Eminem, The Weeknd and so on.
After four years of ups and downs in L.A, I’ve signed to Alex Da Kid at KidInAKorner/Universal Music Group, home to my favorite band, Imagine Dragons, thanks to the amazingly talented Swagg R’Celious, Grammy award-winning producer of H.E.R. who believed in my music, my voice, and my artistry. I’m currently working on my album. I love to write some of my songs in cemeteries, letting the spiritual realm guide my thoughts and emotions, putting all this influence into my storytelling. Other songs are inspired by my life experiences, the bad chasing the good, the dark chasing the light, the fake chasing the truth. My sound is a combination of strong melody lines and electric guitar driven productions. I don’t believe in genres as it’s limiting and insulting to one’s unlimited creative mind as we are multi-faceted beings. I just believe in good music.
Has it been a smooth road?
Coming from such a rich musical history, people’s perception might be that I’ve had it easy, which couldn’t be further from the truth. My father was absent most of my life, never supported me financially or emotionally and when he did make his sporadic appearances, he was violent, both physically and verbally towards me and my mom. But that never stopped me from pursuing my dream, despite the obstacles he put in the way. I’ve never let the fear of him get the best of me or make me lose my self-worth. Blood doesn’t make your family and that’s something that we should always keep in mind.
I was bullied in school, always showing up at home with fresh bruises, the only escape being music, art, and my mom. I never look upon these experiences in a negative way, because they made me stronger for it, made me the person I am today, made me someone that want’s to inspire other people who are going through similar traumas. The message? You can find beauty in the darkness and that’s something that my mother taught me.
What else should our readers know?
18 years old, I am a singer-songwriter, but I am also an actress, model, and author.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel that L.A. is an amazing city for an artist. It gives you the bad, the good and the ugly and distinguishing between those makes you stronger for it. It’s a city full of like-minded creative people, ambitious and striving to achieve their dreams. It’s a city of laughter and fun, but it’s also a city of tears and heartache. It’s fake, yet truthful, it can be your making or your undoing. It’s the perfect reflection of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aiyana-lee.com
- Instagram: @iamaiyanalee
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