Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayana Douglas.
Hi Ayana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born on American soil but nurtured by the diverse landscapes of South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya, my journey into the world of music began at the tender age of three. The stage embraced me for the first time at the Mayor’s Interfaith Breakfast in San Francisco in 2002 – a moment etched in my memory like a vivid dream. Representing the Baha’i Faith, I stood on the precipice of a lifelong passion, feeling the warmth of the spotlight, the gentle lift to the podium from my mother, and the radiant faces of those witnessing my inaugural performance.
As the years unfolded, my path meandered through the halls of Brookhouse International School in Nairobi, Kenya, a haven for the performing arts. Amidst the musical crescendos of high school musicals and lunchtime concerts, my fingers first danced on our home keyboard, composing chords that birthed my initial creation, “Catch You When You’re Falling,” which I may never release but definitely sparked something in me. The turning point emerged at 18. Berklee College of Music, my dream school beckoned, but dreams collided with financial constraints and my unwillingness to graduate with debt. I begrudgingly redirected my life to the Czech Republic, where my family was living at the time. Amidst feelings of resentment, a conversation with the Grammy-nominated producer Anis Roohi became a compass, steering me away from the notion that success required a formal musical education.
Armed with determination, a sprinkle of savings, and a modest home studio, my songwriting journey burgeoned. Unbeknownst to me, my digital presence birthed opportunities, drawing collaborators and transforming casual conversations into paid endeavors. “This is My Life,” my first release with Bass Adjustment, soared to #5 on the iTunes Pop Charts in Austria, affirming that my journey had indeed found its rhythm.
Life, however, is a symphony of highs and lows. Italy became my crucible, a place of healing after emerging from an abusive relationship. The cacophony in my heart and mind quieted as I delved into meditation and stumbled upon “The Attractor Factor” by Joe Vitale. This literary gem opened doors to unexplored corners of my mind, paving the way for self-discovery and reprogramming.
Amidst this internal renaissance, whispers of “LA” echoed in my consciousness. With each visualization, prayer, and small step, the allure of Los Angeles grew irresistible. January 14th, 2023, marked my migration to the City of Angels. A year has passed, punctuated by performances at venues such as the LA Convention Center and the release of “Silence,” a testament to my musical evolution, surpassing 100,000 streams.
Yet, the vast expanse of LA can be overwhelming, a maze where doubts linger and purpose often seems elusive. In these moments, I tether myself to detachment and trust, allowing the universe to guide me. The journey unfolds as I continue to visualize, keep my mind open, and discern the whispers of opportunity.
With gratitude, I acknowledge those who’ve stood by me on the mountaintops and in the valleys. To the listeners co-creating the life I envision for myself by loyally streaming my music, I extend my heartfelt thanks. This year, I’ll be releasing my first EP, which I’m very much looking forward to. Voyage LA, your inquiry is another serendipitous confirmation that I’m navigating this path with purpose. Here’s to the symphony of dreams, to the uncertain yet promising future, and to the unwritten chapters waiting to unfold.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In some ways, it’s been a smooth road. I’ve found that the more I listen and choose to follow my inner urges the more easily life seems to flow. It’s when we ignore divine guidance and let limiting beliefs dictate our actions that we block the energy of inspiration and abundance.
In 2019, I ventured into a singing competition that brought me to Los Angeles. Faced with a questionable record deal at the competition’s end, I, against my father’s legal advice, hastily signed it, as due to the scarcity mindset I had yet to rewire, I believed it was my only shot. Dropping out of university, I eagerly awaited the label to transport me back to LA. However, weeks turned into months, revealing the harsh reality of what the industry terms a “slave contract.” Stuck and helpless, anxiety intensified, and the pit in my stomach deepened.
Amidst this turmoil, a silver lining emerged. This was when I delved into songwriting, pouring emotions from this tumultuous period and complex relationships into my music. I recognized my gift for songwriting and, for the first time in my life, just gave over my life to the Universe. The pandemic, though a global tragedy, became one of life’s greatest gifts to me. The world’s conditions rendered the contract null, freeing me to resume school without repercussions.
Life’s path hasn’t always been smooth, but these moments of adversity have been profound teachers. I’ve learned to heed the signs, surrender to the Universe, and to keep my energy open to and aligned with the host of angels that always seem to right my wrongs.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an RnB singer-songwriter, but I dabble in other genres like Trap-Soul, Pop, and Hip Hop as well. I’m best known for my song ‘Silence,’ which I did as a collaboration with my producer friend Epillz Henderson last year. It did over 100,000 streams, and I’ve performed it in various venues across LA. It’s a fun one – always gets the crowd going. I’m most proud of my song ‘This Is My Life’, a collaboration with Bass Adjustment reaching #5 on the iTunes Pop Charts in Austria. That was the first song I ever released, and it was such a moment to see it hit the charts. I think something that sets me apart from others is the vast cultural experiences I’ve had growing up in South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya, as well as having lived in the Czech Republic and Italy in more recent years. I feel that my travels have provided me with a greater appreciation of the beauty of diversity, and this love and admiration for humanity echo in my interactions with fellow artists, reverberate through the energy I bring to the stage, and resonate with the global fan base that I’ve begun to reach.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Throughout my teenage years, my mentor was Ian Mbugua, a Kenyan TV personality who also taught music and drama at my high school. When he heard me sing for the first time at one of my high school’s lunchtime concerts, he immediately swept me under his wing and took it upon himself to coach me. His somewhat facetious criticism was always coupled with a twinkle in his eye and a kind smile. He always made time for my questions and never failed to remind me that he saw me as a star. He played a significant role in my acceptance to Berklee College of Music. But my biggest cheerleader has always been my father. From the time I was a child, he always said, “Look for that one thing you can do for days on end with no food, no sleep. Something you have an endless well of passion and energy for and make a career out of it. If you do that, you’ll never work a day in your life”. It’s been an invaluable gift to have parents that so lovingly support my dreams. He’s listened to every song, been to every show and has had a bear hug ready for the moment I stepped off stage.
Pricing:
- Demo: $400
- Feature: $200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/ayanabutterfly
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayana_butterfly/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ayana.douglas.50/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ApWKM_kQtG9rh9Mp90sDw
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6UnQHtz1PIR6VAODweRyHH?si=pdSO7kLrQnm7-lMDeS4ngQ
Image Credits
Razi Wilson
David Tuman
Israel Quezada
Melahat Seifi
