Canada might be more affiliated with maple syrup and cold, cold winters than it is with soulful essence of a young lady who goes by the name of Ayah. Armed with passion and a bevy of lyrical ammunition Ayah displays a voice that has the ability to emphasize the strengths of Canadian musicians and performers. Having aligned herself with names such as Jazzy Jeff it is obvious that being north of the border of the country that predominantly births tomorrow brightest stars is no hardship for her.Talking to femalefirst.co.uk about who she appreciates, the dwindling sales which are dampening the wealth of many an artist and just what makes her determined to prove that location is not to hinder ones success.
Was singing something you always wanted to do?
Yes, it was. I was always the loudest child. I loved singing and music in general. I sang along with my favourite singers and even ended up on stage at a couple concerts my mom took me to (Arabic shows). In elementary school I sang the anthem the loudest. In grade 7, my friends would ask me to sing their favourite songs. However, I grew up being taught that school was the right way to go so I pushed on after high school and went to college for Behaviour Science. I decided that I was going to leave, and ended up back in school the next year, this time with a different focus, Marketing. After one year of that, I decided I was to focus on music. It was hard for me to leave as it was a struggle to possibly let my family down, but the passion I had for music was too strong for me to ignore and so I started to make music full time!
How successful has your career been so far?
It’s been great. I’ve gotten love and support from so many people. I’ve acquired fans in cities I didn’t realize I had reach to yet, (but then again, with the internet, you can reach everyone everywhere).
I’ve met so many great people. I‘ve worked with so many talented producers and musicians. I’ve had the opportunity to grace some serious stages. There’s so much more I want to do, and see though of course.
To be honest, there are times where, as all artists, I’ve felt unsure or just anxious about the future, but learning to be patient, work hard, focus, and see the big picture is the key to getting your mind right!
The female vocalists are the ones who still manage to sell serious amounts of records, what do you think it takes for an artist nowadays to sell?
It’s hard for me to say. There are many artists that I feel deserve should sell much more records then they have, and on the flip side, artists that have sold records that I never thought would sell. So nowadays, it’s harder to tell what people want.
At the end of the day, as a consumer myself, honesty is what I’m looking for. Whether you’re selling platinum or 20,000, as long as you’re doing what YOU want to do, you’re alright.
Who has inspired you in terms of your craft and also who has been there for support for you?
So many people have inspired me.
Everybody I think I’ve ever been a fan of, inspired me one way or another. Writers, poets, my family, relationships past and present, friends, my life, other peoples’ lives, random people on the street. All of them inspire me. I’ve been fortunate.
There are so many people who do support me on the real, and all for the love. My family, my producers, the people that come out to my shows, my team that I work with. All these people who take it upon themselves to show me so much love I truly appreciate.
You have travelled quite a lot, how instrumental has this been to your singing career?
I think it’s helped me open my mind.
It’s definitely taught me to adapt to different people, and showed me how to relate to them. It’s also exposed me to a lot of different music, and as a result, I feel as though, I will not allow myself to stay in a one genre box. I know that there are different ways of doing things and that experimentation is a good thing. Plus, it’s fun!
You are just about to release a mixtape which I believe is based around a Marvin Gaye album, why Marvin Gaye?
A good friend of mine actually brought me the idea. I thought it was a great one, and the rest is history. Marvin Gaye was a talented musician, a wonderful singer, and a great artist all around. He was classic. Real. Around at a time that introduced us to a lot of brilliant artists. Marvin Gaye is one that I have great respect for.
You have worked with numerous Hip-Hop acts, how hard is it being in Canada to link with people?
Truthfully, it hasn’t been that hard for me to link with people. I don’t put limits on who I work with, or my sound, based on my geography. I feel like music is universal. All you got to do is reach out to people.
Does the music scene in Toronto hold you back?
Hold me back? No. Nothing can. Made it really difficult for me and other artists? Yes. A lot of us haven’t been on tour.
A lot of us don’t get paid enough or exposed enough. There’s only one commercial urban radio station in Toronto and even that isn’t really urban anymore! However, I feel like it makes us better because we have to think outside the box, we have to take initiative.
There are no major labels out here that willing to support local artists or spend any money on them. Not many managers that are knowledgeable or that do it full time.
They say there is no market for urban music here. I say there aren’t many outlets. Instead of complaining though, (and I can be good at complaining), I just have to be proactive, create outlets, and exploit what’s available, like the internet.
Many Canadians have moved to major American cities to pursue their dreams of singing, is this something you would do?
Many Canadian artists have also moved to major American cities, and then moved right back! So, I definitely would make that move. I just would make sure the situation and the time is right for me to do it, in order to do it properly.
You also mentor kids, how did you get involved in that?
I’ve always been interested in humanity and the human mind. It came natural and made sense that I would work with the youth. I’m growing up still myself. I think I always will be. It makes me happy to be able to be there for kids and just be supportive. Truly listen, not judge. I’ve been misunderstood many times in my life, and to just have someone be there, be willing to give you time, is so uplifting.
Are you happy with the progress you are making?
Yes I am. I’m so happy. I’m excited! I’m learning and looking forward to what’s next. What can we expect from you in the future? Expect the world! Really though, expect me to grow, to change, to get better, to make more music, to be there.
Melanie Cornish
Canada might be more affiliated with maple syrup and cold, cold winters than it is with soulful essence of a young lady who goes by the name of Ayah. Armed with passion and a bevy of lyrical ammunition Ayah displays a voice that has the ability to emphasize the strengths of Canadian musicians and performers. Having aligned herself with names such as Jazzy Jeff it is obvious that being north of the border of the country that predominantly births tomorrow brightest stars is no hardship for her.Talking to femalefirst.co.uk about who she appreciates, the dwindling sales which are dampening the wealth of many an artist and just what makes her determined to prove that location is not to hinder ones success.Was singing something you always wanted to do?
Yes, it was. I was always the loudest child. I loved singing and music in general. I sang along with my favourite singers and even ended up on stage at a couple concerts my mom took me to (Arabic shows). In elementary school I sang the anthem the loudest. In grade 7, my friends would ask me to sing their favourite songs. However, I grew up being taught that school was the right way to go so I pushed on after high school and went to college for Behaviour Science. I decided that I was going to leave, and ended up back in school the next year, this time with a different focus, Marketing. After one year of that, I decided I was to focus on music. It was hard for me to leave as it was a struggle to possibly let my family down, but the passion I had for music was too strong for me to ignore and so I started to make music full time!
How successful has your career been so far?
It’s been great. I’ve gotten love and support from so many people. I’ve acquired fans in cities I didn’t realize I had reach to yet, (but then again, with the internet, you can reach everyone everywhere).
I’ve met so many great people. I‘ve worked with so many talented producers and musicians. I’ve had the opportunity to grace some serious stages. There’s so much more I want to do, and see though of course.
To be honest, there are times where, as all artists, I’ve felt unsure or just anxious about the future, but learning to be patient, work hard, focus, and see the big picture is the key to getting your mind right!
The female vocalists are the ones who still manage to sell serious amounts of records, what do you think it takes for an artist nowadays to sell?
It’s hard for me to say. There are many artists that I feel deserve should sell much more records then they have, and on the flip side, artists that have sold records that I never thought would sell. So nowadays, it’s harder to tell what people want.
At the end of the day, as a consumer myself, honesty is what I’m looking for. Whether you’re selling platinum or 20,000, as long as you’re doing what YOU want to do, you’re alright.
Who has inspired you in terms of your craft and also who has been there for support for you?
So many people have inspired me.
Everybody I think I’ve ever been a fan of, inspired me one way or another. Writers, poets, my family, relationships past and present, friends, my life, other peoples’ lives, random people on the street. All of them inspire me. I’ve been fortunate.
There are so many people who do support me on the real, and all for the love. My family, my producers, the people that come out to my shows, my team that I work with. All these people who take it upon themselves to show me so much love I truly appreciate.
You have travelled quite a lot, how instrumental has this been to your singing career?
I think it’s helped me open my mind.
It’s definitely taught me to adapt to different people, and showed me how to relate to them. It’s also exposed me to a lot of different music, and as a result, I feel as though, I will not allow myself to stay in a one genre box. I know that there are different ways of doing things and that experimentation is a good thing. Plus, it’s fun!
You are just about to release a mixtape which I believe is based around a Marvin Gaye album, why Marvin Gaye?
A good friend of mine actually brought me the idea. I thought it was a great one, and the rest is history. Marvin Gaye was a talented musician, a wonderful singer, and a great artist all around. He was classic. Real. Around at a time that introduced us to a lot of brilliant artists. Marvin Gaye is one that I have great respect for.
You have worked with numerous Hip-Hop acts, how hard is it being in Canada to link with people?
Truthfully, it hasn’t been that hard for me to link with people. I don’t put limits on who I work with, or my sound, based on my geography. I feel like music is universal. All you got to do is reach out to people.