Meet Su Ivey of Inland Empire, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Su Ivey.

Hi Su, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Cambodian Afro-American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur whose love for music started in the church. As a little girl, I grew up singing in the choir, performing in plays, volunteering, and being part of the praise and worship team. That early foundation carried me into school auditions and performances all the way through high school. I realized I had a real passion for singing and writing when I would spend hours on YouTube instrumentals, freestyling and writing my own songs.

Right after high school, I was invited to join a trio pop girl group, and that experience made it clear that music was something I wanted to pursue as a real career. My influences growing up included Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, Usher, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes, Ginuwine, and Beyoncé. Within the group, I naturally gravitated toward songwriting and melody-building, which eventually led me to recording and learning light audio engineering—becoming hands-on with shaping my own sound.

In 2024, I released my debut neo-soul/R&B album I Am Su Ivey, introducing myself as an artist and showing how my sound had grown. That same year, I had the opportunity to perform in major arenas, opening for legendary R&B acts like SWV, Keith Sweat, Amanda Perez, 112, Frankie J, and Ginuwine, and sharing the stage with artists such as Jeremih, Keri Hilson, Lil’ Mo, Truth Hurts, Mýa, Kalan Fr Fr, and more.

On 10/10/25, I released my second album, Burning Incense—a project where I allowed myself to be more vulnerable, more intentional, and more hands-on than ever before. I wrote, engineered, and co-mixed and mastered the album with my team, creating a body of work that reflects my growth, my healing, and my artistry in its truest form. Since then, I’ve been creating content, working on my EP, and collaborating with other incredible artists on new projects.

Outside of music, I operate a health and wellness creative space in Riverside, CA. We open our doors to independent creatives and practitioners for yoga classes, sound baths, dance, book clubs, workshops, trainings, and more. My business is rooted in community—giving local creatives a place to build their brand, grow, and support one another. I see myself as a voice for the Inland Empire: a creative and entrepreneur committed to inspiring our kids, uplifting our community, and proving that anything is possible when you have the right tools and truly apply yourself.

When I’m not creating, I’m probably gardening, cooking, or diving into something DIY and hands-on.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not. When I first started, my mindset, my environment, and the times were so different. Being a woman in this industry came with its own challenges, and on top of that, my age, my location, and the lack of real guidance made things even tougher. I didn’t have access to the kind of information, resources, and opportunities that artists have now. A lot of what I learned, I had to figure out the hard way—through experience, trial and error, and just staying determined even when things felt unclear.

Back then, I didn’t know what I know now about the business side of music, branding, or even navigating the industry. But those challenges shaped me. They forced me to develop my own voice, my own drive, and my own understanding of who I wanted to be as an artist.

Now, I’m in a different place mentally and creatively. I’m focused on being more consistent with my content and staying up to date with how marketing works in this generation—social media trends, visual storytelling, connecting with fans, all of it. I’m still learning, still evolving, and still pushing myself to grow. The journey hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been necessary, and it’s made me the artist and entrepreneur I am today.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As an artist, I’m a singer, songwriter, and hands-on creative who’s involved in every part of the music-making process. I write my own music, build melodies, and I also engineer and co-mix my work, which allows me to shape my sound exactly how I envision it. I create R&B and neo-soul music that’s rooted in storytelling, emotion, and real experiences.

Beyond recording, I’m also a performer—doing shows, opening for major artists, and bringing my music to life on stage. I focus heavily on developing my visual presence as well, creating content, conceptual visuals, and keeping up with how artistry and marketing move in today’s generation.

On top of that, I collaborate with other artists, build community, and use my platform to represent where I’m from and inspire other creatives. My artistry is a mix of expression, entrepreneurship, and being hands-on in every detail—from writing and engineering to performing and building my brand.

How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy is the entire process of creating music. From hearing a beat for the first time, to writing the lyrics, shaping melodies, and building harmonies—I genuinely love every part of it. There’s something powerful about watching a song come to life from nothing.

I’m also happiest when I’m making other people happy. I love to love, I love to connect, and I truly love life itself. Whether it’s through my music, my performances, or the energy I bring into a room, bringing joy to others is one of the things that fulfills me the most.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsuivey/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamsuivey
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsuivey?lang=en

Image Credits
Photos took by Khalia Edmond and Zion Ivey