She is certainly one of the “best things” in music right now. Inayah is blazing her own trail. Leaving no room for crumbs along the way. The Houston native is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, and rapper. She’s recently been recognized by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) in their annual ‘On the Come Up‘ showcase. Unlike many of her counterparts in the music industry Inayah is setting herself apart. She has no plans of conforming to industry standards. More so she’s interested in making sure her fans have timeless music. Undoubtedly, songs like Fallin’, Suga Daddy and Best Thing are helping the artist make a name for herself.
When taking a peek behind the musical veil, Suavv found Inayah to be a force of beauty and grace. More accurately put, “your girl has got spunk!”
If it wasn’t for music man, aside from being a mommy, I don’t know. I’d probably still be out here getting fired from every single job I’ve ever had.
Inayah
Suavv
How does it feel to be recognized by ASCAP,in the On the Come-Up Showcase?
Inayah
I’m definitely honored. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that people even know who I am, let alone let them all know my music. So, this is a big deal for me. I’m super excited and honored, very, very honored.
Suavv
What are you most looking forward to with this opportunity & how do you see it propelling your career?
Inayah
I guess I’d say the message that I want to make clear to my Inayanahilators is that I’m so open with them, right? I’ve always talked about the journey to my successes and the downfalls and the obstacles that were in the way. So you know, in this moment, with being a part of the On The Come-up. I guess I’d encourage them to just keep at it and keep going, because when you’re in the valley and in a depressing state, trying hard to get to your dreams, it could be very discouraging. When you’re in the beginning you don’t see the end. You don’t see the outcome and I’ve been there many, many times .I’d encourage them to just keep pushing. The grass really is greener on the other side. I’m starting to see that myself.
Suavv
Breaking into the industry is hard. How do you feel you were able to be successful and get to where you are now in your career? What made you stand out especially with the Internet; there’s so many artists, songwriters, producers, have this opportunity to be successful, but you only see a small number make above the fray.
Inayah
I think what caught the attention of my supporters the most was my ability to tell stories in my music. I think they fell in love with the storytelling and the fact that most of my content, if not all, is so relatable. Most of the things that I talk about is real life, it either happened to me or someone very close to me. And I think that they’re able to connect with that because so many of my records tell stories that we’ve all experienced or all been through, all seen at one point in our lives. So I believe it was the storytelling along with my bubbly personality, some people say I’m funny. I don’t try to be, but I guess I’m just funny.
Suavv
What are some of your current musical influences?
Inayah
Well, Beyoncé is always on the at the at the top of that list for me not only just because she’s from the same city but her drive. Her dedication, like she’s unmatched when it comes to you know what an individual can do with 12 hours of the day. She is Superwoman. Just from everything, from the execution of her music down to the way she has her show set up with stage and the lighting. I really admire that about her.
But coming up, though, my background is mostly gospel, that’s my root. That’s where I learned how to sing. I grew up listening to Stevie Wonder and Johnnie Taylor, The Clark Sisters and Lashun Pace mostly.
Suavv
I see a lot of artists who have that background with gospel and singing in the church. They become successful. They move into the industry. They choose R&B. Why not gospel music instead?
Inayah
Well for me individually you know I love God very much. That’s my homie. We real cool. Actually, believe it or not gospel music tells stories. So, I was able to pull from that. Gospel is where I learned how to do my riffs and my runs and holding certain breaths for certain notes. Gospel is what taught me the execution of my gift if that makes sense. I use that as my base of what I do in this artistry, but as far as the type of music it’s simply whatever I put my pen to do. Once I start writing, if that’s what comes out, that’s what I was thinking about it.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that I chose R&B over gospel because if anything I’m using those same fundamentals, those same basics that I learned from gospel to execute out here in in the secular industry. I want to say it’s still in me, very deeply rooted, and I do plan on making a gospel album one day.
Suavv
You mentioned that it’s basically the backbone for you (gospel). Being in the industry, seeing how different it is and how easily influenced you can be; do you feel like that foundation helps keep you grounded and balanced?
Inayah
Oh yeah, Oh yeah! Definitely. You know, I always say that no matter how massive things get for me, I’ll always have those roots to keep me grounded and keep me remembering where it all started. So many people get in this industry and lose themselves. I think that that’s why there’s a lack of that foundation. Plus my momma is something else child! My mom wouldn’t even let me get big headed in this industry, ’cause she will get me together real quick…”
Suavv
Is there a lot of pressure for you to fit in?
Inayah
Forgive me if I’m being too blunt, but I don’t really care about what the industry standards seem to be like.I don’t care about you know if my ass is big enough for their liking, or if I’m curvy enough. It took me a long time to find this confidence that I have in myself. I used to battle with feeling like I was too heavy or my breasts were too big or my face is too round like I used. I used to have my own little insecurities in a pocket. You know what? I mean but never have I ever wanted to change them according to what the industry would think is acceptable.
“I could give 2F’s about how they how they receive my look, or my body. And if at any time I do feel like I want to make some changes, I’m going to make those changes for me and not for not for others, especially not for the industry. “
INAYAH
Suavv
That’s the way to go, that’s absolutely the way to go.
Inayah
Yeah, ’cause my confidence is what also sells my records.Like I said it took me a minute to get to this space but now that I’m here nobody can tell me nothing. People love me .People adore me for my energy and the Inayah that I am every single day. And I think I like me too.
Suavv
What is your what is your creative process like?
Inayah
Oh man, as of lately with this, with this baby in my house.I have a supportive boyfriend. He is literally the Ying to my Yang. At any time that I want to step away and go upstairs in the studio and have a minute, he’ll take the kids.
I need to be surrounded by the music.I need to be inmy moment to create so you know I’ll put the kids to bed and go upstairs in the studio and then I’ll just listen to beats.Sometimes it takes me a minute to start penning, sometimes it’ll come right out…It’s spiritual, when I’m creating because sometimes, I’ll pen something and then once I sing it out.I see the outcome.I’m even shocked sometimes at the work that I do, so it’s truly a God given a gift.
Suavv
If it wasn’t for your music career what would I be doing?
Inayah
If it wasn’t for music man, aside from being a mommy, I don’t know. I’d probably still be out here getting fired from every single job I’ve ever had. I suck at working for people. That’s how I know this is my destiny child ’cause I I do not work well in a in a 9-5 setting. I just don’t. I couldn’t fully commit myself to something If my heart wasn’t in it.
Suavv
Who would you most like to collaborate with and even open a show for?
Inayah
I want to work with Chris Brown. I’d like to work with Drake. I’d like to work with Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z and Beyoncé. Oh my goodness, the list goes on and on. I want to work with Jay Moss at some point, Kim Burrell, Kirk Franklin, Lil Baby. The possibilities are endless.I love Maroon 5.I like Chris Young.I like country music.Anyone that I’ve found some type of inspiration from in the industry or just a fan of their music. I’d do it.
If I don’t like the artist’s music, though, I wouldn’t work with them. I don’t care about what it would do for record sales or how good it would look. If I don’t like an artist’s craft or delivery, I wouldn’t work with them.
Suavv
What’s next for you? Do you have any shows coming up?
Inayah
My new project “Side A”, I’d say it’s a whirlwind of emotions.
You know you have your ratchet music that You Can Dance to, high energy. Then you have your emotional records. Then you have familiar storytelling music that we’ve all been through. Where we ask the question of what we are in a relationship that doesn’t have a title. With any emotion that you have, you can tap into side A and there’s definitely going to be a record there for whatever you’re feeling at the moment.
So now that I’m officially off my maternity leave, now that my little one is in other hands, good hands, I can get back in the studio.
I have to work on my next project which is going to be “Side B” coming soon. I have more videos to shoot. Definitely some collaborations that I’ve been dreaming of. I want to get those done and eventually get back on tour.
Suavv
If you were to go on tour, say tomorrow, what would be one of the first venues you would like to perform at?
Inayah
I want to go to London. I want to go to London so bad not only because it’s just a beautiful city to travel simply because I have a big fan base there and also New York. I have a pretty big fan base in New York and London. I’ve never been to either the appreciation for music in London is just different. They appreciate timeless music. They appreciate real gifts.
Check out Inayah’s ASCAP ‘On the Come Up” Showcase 2021 performance below.
