iblamealiyah shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi iblamealiyah, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Well, I do think I’m walking a path, at least that is what I try to believe – (laughs). But in all seriousness, I do not think anyone, has a straight path they need to walk, we will all be left wandering at some point. The most important part is to never forget the end goal, the objective- you know? In my case, in this specific point in time, I’m very confident in my abilities to accomplish what I’ve always dreamed of. There will forever be hardships along the way, but that’s the point, right? How would we know we care if not- (laughs). Every battle I face, I take it with grace knowing i’ll forever have the last laugh, if you proceed with courage, patience and kindness, you’ll always be led to victory. Paths aren’t always linear, and so is my growth.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
iblamealiyah – from her real name; Aliyah Kai Bennani, is a singer-songwriter and performer of Moroccan and Spanish descent. That’s most likely what you’ll find about me anywhere – (laughs). But I’m much more than this, in a sense I am pieces of everyone and anyone that’s ever crossed my path. An Anthology. That is the name of my upcoming album. I released two mini albums of seven songs each, with a third one coming later this year. They’ll all be re-grouped and merged into one big art piece. My craft comes from the roots of my being. Every experience, tear, or smile forged my character. Every memory is deeply inked into my skin like a tattoo. And music has been my way to get it out of me and into the world, in hopes of helping anyone who might be going through a similar experience, really. I have been writing since my youth about pretty much anything really, whatever marks me and resonates I’ll put into paper and sing it out. It’s therapeutic – (laughs).
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Damn – (laughs). That’s deep. Well, uhm, I think that as a child I was more of a free spirit, a dreamer of some sort. I had very big ambitions with no care about consequences. I was bold, fierce, and very determined. As I grew up, I realized that some people didn’t agree very much with the way I viewed life. For me, everything around us is nothing more than an experiment, we have been put here to test our limits, and I’d like to think that limits don’t exist, they’ve been put by those around us to try and control us, tone us down in a way. Something I always tell my people is; the world wouldn’t exist if you don’t. And that is true, right? I mean think about it. If I wasn’t here right now, reading those questions, thinking, seeing, touching, smelling, feeling, would those questions even exist? The world around me only exist because I do, If i wasn’t here none of this would be real. And it is the same for anyone and everyone. My soul didn’t change much, however I try to tone down my behavior when around the wrong people. I never changed and probably will never, I believe that our uniqueness is the most precious of gifts, and instead of shaping ourselves to fit in we should protect it.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I’d say heartbreak. I can’t really think of anything else. I don’t care much for anything else. Losing the people that I care for, however, is probably what pains me the most. You know, as strange as it sounds, when I love, I do love. And for me love isn’t temporary, it’s a forever feeling that never truly goes away. It keeps existing, it can be quiet at times, and louder at others. But with time and experience, I realized that if I end of loving you, I’ll never be able to un-love you. You feel me? I’ve seen so many people in my life walk away, and the pain is the same every time, it feels like a part of you is vanishing into the abyss. I’ve never truly healed those wounds, rather, I spend my time writing about it, in hopes of making amends with the void each of those people left. I use it as a force to create art and connect with my desires.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
No – (laughs). If you ever see me outside, you’d see me as a very cold-hearted individual. I have this very closed look, and I am very introverted. But, when you get to know me you get a one-eighty version of me – (laughs). I’m sweet, open, and truly emotional. Something not a lot of people know about me.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
Nothing. I do everything with so much drive and passion that I never had any regrets. I fight, and fight until my very last breathe. I have never given up on anything I truly desired, I never put aside any goal of mine. And that is my greatest strength. I’m a fighter at the core, and a believer. No matter the hardships I may face, I go for it every time. That’s my character, my personality, and as much as I know that at times it can cost me, I was never able to change this side of me. If i want something, I’m either getting it, or I’ll lose my sanity trying to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://iblamealiyah.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/iblamealiyah
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iblamealiyah
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/AliyahMusic
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5R4Ax5HOR0HNPArbnB5ZD0?si=7HUTkC-NT4SLDiywHCVPbQ
