Today we’d like to introduce you to Nyallah.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles to my Sierra Leonean father and Black mother. I’ve been singing WAY before I could talk, that says something. Music became important in my eyes very early. My family was the type to play music almost constantly — at home, in the car, as background sound during conversation. And so many genres: Jazz, R&B, Old School Soul, Reggae, Funk Soul, Afro-Jazz, the list goes on.
In 4th grade, I was in my first choir, and in middle school I explored deeper into theater and musical performance. I went to Hollywood High School for two years, where I got heavily involved in show choir, musical theater, and overall musical performance. Junior year I switched to VAPA, a visual and performing high school in DTLA, where I expanded my horizons to stage theater, photography, and playwriting. It was the first time I was solely around creative minds during schooling.
The summer before my senior year I went to GRAMMY Camp, a prestigious music industry program held by the GRAMMY Foundation at USC. This is where I was introduced to the Popular Music degree offered at USC. It was the first time I considered the idea of creating music for the rest of my life. Before then I believed music was going to become a hobby after high school, and I’d have to find something else to study and create a career out of. Because I didn’t have a classical background, I couldn’t study classical music in college. The Popular Music program at USC’s Thornton School of Music was a contemporary program for musicians like myself who made music outside of the classical and jazz genres. It would end up preparing me for the commercial music industry at large.
Fast forward to now, I have my Bachelor of Music degree from USC and am a full fledge musical artist. I released my debut EP “reflections” back in January, and have been consistently performing and sharing music with audiences. I’m writing with and for other folx, which is very exciting and new! However, since graduating in May, my primary focus has been on my healing, relaxing and taking care of myself.
Please tell us about your art.
I am an artist. My main mediums are music (singing, keys, production), writing (songs and poetry), and event planning. I create music with the intention of healing the collective; with Black, queer, and femme identities at the forefront. Primarily I sing and write, however since going to school I’ve dabbled in production more. I’m excited to explore more. In addition to music, I also curate creative events and spaces. My sophomore year I created The Loft Sessions, a quarterly live event series focused on centering Black visual/music artists in Los Angeles. We featured artists from USC, UCLA, and all around the Los Angeles area; we’ve even had folx fly in for shows!
I create music and events because I recognize the importance of community and individual healing. When I write or sing, I unwind and unravel my own hardships and facing them head-on. In doing so, I create a body of work to share with an audience beyond myself (if I choose). The hope is that the song will provide healing for whomever hears it, regardless of demographic or identity. I hope people can realize that they are able to heal themselves…because we are. We are our own individual healers, the sooner we heal ourselves the sooner we can heal each other.
All my work is an extension of me. Even if I’m fearful at first, I make sure I write what is real to me and my experience. So if that’s joy, I’ll talk about it. Pain? I’ll talk about that too. Anxiety? Shit, that’s one of my faves.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
A mixture of both if I’m being honest. There is more access to resources and opportunities there were not previously present, especially for marginalized artists. There is more of a focus on community, showing up for and creating space amongst various communities of artists. We’re truly in a Black artistic renaissance, building the spaces we’ve envisioned for so long. While resources aren’t always plentiful, in today’s creative world artists know how to be strategic and make use of what we have. Life is definitely not easier, but I’d say the way we move is a lot smarter. We see the patterns of what has and hasn’t worked in the past and choose to make decisions based off this info.
Cities (and communities in general) need to support artists! Genuinely though. Cop tickets to a show, buy a zine (hell, buy their WORK PERIOD), repost their work. There’s so many ways we can support each other (free, paid + otherwise), if we want support we gotta give it.
Another way new artists can get connected is going to events. In LA there’s always a bunch of live music shows, art galleries, panel discussions, etc. Most of my artist community in LA came from going to events and beginning conversations with likeminded folx. Try going to events alone! It can be super scary and intimidating, but I promise you once you get in it’s not too bad. Similar energy will gravitate to you, you just have to be patient. I’m still learning that it’s not easy, but know trust you’re not alone.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My debut EP “reflections” is available on all streaming platforms. Listening, sharing, and adding my songs to your playlists helps me get more plays and my music out there. If you or anyone you know is looking for songwriters and vocalists, send them my way! I’m looking to collaborate with more folx. I am also available for show booking, please shoot me an email if interested. I am willing and available 🙂
Keep up with me on Instagram and Facebook! I’ll be announcing some great surprises in the next few weeks, and merch is currently in the works. Lots of goodies and new material on the way, I’m super duper excited! More updates coming soon.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/n.yallah
- Facebook: facebook.com/nyallahmusic
Image Credit:
First photo by Maddie Lesperance, Other photos by Kanya Iwana
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
