BTM: What’s up, Aniyé Music! Congrats on the release of your first EP, So Sick of Writing in Red! We’d all love to learn more about your work. What do you specialize in and what sets you apart from others?
Aniyé Music: I am an upcoming R&B-neo-soul-Jazz artist! I am developing Aniyé Music, the brand, more and more everyday! In addition to being an original/recording artist, I also provide monumental memories, good times, and quality entertainment for live events, weddings, and cooperate events! I have a YouTube channel that is documenting my journey to becoming a Grammy nominated/winning artist. More recently, I have started to do private lessons specializing in vocal technique, performance, and music theory training!
BTM: We didn’t realize you had so many skills! When it comes to singing and all the grind it takes, you have been making some major noise in the game. What do you think you are most known for?
Aniyé Music: I am most known for my smooth silky controlled tone, and my fiery personality. I think what sets me apart from others is my humility, boldness, my unique name (I mean seriously, do you know another Aniyé?!) and down-to-earthiness mentality that emphasizes the true nature of who I am and whose I am!
BTM: We have been hearing the same about you as well! When did you realize you have a major talent of singing?
Aniyé Music: I realized that I have a talent for singing when I was 3 years old. My first song was a gospel hymn, Amazing Grace. Ever since then, my parents saw potential and put me in a performing arts program at five years old at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center.
BTM: You had an early start to music we see. As an artist, what do you feel is your purpose for creating?
Aniyé Music: As many teens and adults suffer from insecurities, so did I! I came from a place of very low self-esteem. As a young child, I never could find anything physically attractive about myself. I did not know how to love myself. The only thing I felt I was good at was music. Through music, singing, performing, Jesus Christ, and the love of friends and family I was able to push through and find my value, purpose, and confidence in the world! Music played a key role in developing my self-esteem. So my purpose for creating has everything to do with making people feel good, or better about themselves about the current situation or about anything. Music made me feel so I would love to create and make music to make people feel good! I know that my artistry, music, and character can shine and help people feel good!
BTM: Wow! That was the most humble, down-to-Earth, statement we’ve heard in a while coming from a music artist. It’s great you were able to overcome the challenges in your self-love! What were some of the challenges that you encountered while putting together your first EP, So Sick of Writing in Red?
Aniyé Music: I definitely encountered the “not good enough” challenge while trying to release this EP. Every time I set a release date, I would just watch it pass by without releasing it. I would listen to the project and nit-pick about the smallest imperfections to the music. I had to realize that I am my worst critic and that there would be some people who love the project and some who hate it but that it is all apart of my journey to becoming a well established artist.
BTM: That is true. How did you come up with the title, So Sick of Writing in Red, and what has it been like working on the project?
Aniyé Music: That title came about because I was simply tired of writing love songs. I decided to say “red” opposed to “love songs” because I am a huge advocate for symbolism and significance. Red signifies passion, love, desire, courage, anger, and so many more emotions that have to do with the motions of love. Though I say that I am tired of writing in red, God quickly reminded me that Love conquers, love is the bottom line, and that it’s okay to write about love which God gave me. Working on the project itself has truly been a blessing. I get to see the evolution of my artistry and recognize my ideas being put on wax and sounding how I intended them to sound.
BTM: Who are some of the producers or artists you have worked with on the project?
Aniyé Music: On this project I’ve worked with some of Miami’s hot hidden gems! Producers Brandon Mirvil and Tucky (BigTmusic). I have one song featuring my girl, Just Vaneé. When I recorded Sky View, I worked with a hot producer from Atlanta, Derick Stevenson. The engineering and mixing of most of the project was done by BigTmusic, and Sky View was mixed by John Green Music.
BTM: Sounds like you have a lot of diversity on the EP! We see a bunch of interesting song titles on the EP. Can’t Stop Loving You seems to be kind of a typical R&B title. What makes this song so unique that it made the cut?
Aniyé Music: Can’t Stop Loving You sounds very typical by the title, but once you listen to it, you will be very surprised as to the intricate layers of melodies and harmonies that I improvised to create this interlude. It gives the listener a break from a full song to just a few simple words with complex harmonies.
BTM: We will definitely check the track out. Now that we are looking at the tracklist, we see there are only five songs that made it to the EP. Why so few?
Aniyé Music: I just felt like five was the perfect number of songs to give the people just a taste of the different sounds and vibes that I could produce as an artist. It’s also my first body of work so I didn’t want to make it too long!
BTM: You released Colors a few weeks ago as the lead single. That is a HOT track that has been receiving great feedback! How did that song come about?
Aniyé Music: Yasss! As I mentioned when explaining why I chose the title of this EP, symbolism is important to me when writing. I wanted to write a song about the love that I see around me and the love that I want to experience. Showing how humans are capable of expressing love between one another using different colors that have different meanings. White- our love is pure and genuine… Green- our love is prosperous… red- our love is passionate…blue- I feel safe around you.
BTM: That’s a deep concept with the colors! Sky View and Boomerang sound like they are interesting songs as well. How did those songs come about?
Aniyé Music: Sky View came about from the newly built Ferris wheel in Miami called “Skyview Miami”! I wanted to go, so I wrote a song about being taken on a date there, with those elements surrounding me. Boomerang on the other hand came about from just dating and experiencing the process of it.
BTM: We hope you’re able to ride Skyview Miami and make another song about it! By the way, thanks for the video link to Nsync (posted at the bottom of this page)! What was the inspiration behind the song and what made you choose to release a lyric video for the song?
Aniyé Music: Nsync is truly about being on the same page as your significant other and doing so very unselfishly! The message of the song is so simple yet so true so I just decided to throw a lyric video in there for it! It is really easy to vibe to and sing along with.
BTM: How would you summarize the five songs on Sick of Writing in Red in less than four words?
Aniyé Music: Nsync = Same page || Sky View = spontaneous date night || Boomerang = Fun with dating || Colors = red and white || Can’t Stop Loving You = Love is always there
BTM: You stated earlier you get to see yourself evolve as an artist with the release of this EP. About a year ago, you released your debut music video, Easy. How have you grown musically since that release?
Aniyé Music: Most definitely! I definitely hear the growth in my tone but mostly in my songwriting. I think you can tell the growth from my freshmen single Easy to my sophomore single Over the Moon. In my first EP you can hear the maturity and growth in my songwriting abilities.
BTM: While you were growing up, was there a particular song that you used to sing that would make people try to get you signed?
Aniyé Music: Yes! People would love to hear me sing Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra.
BTM: That is a classic song by the late great Frank Sinatra!!! With that in mind, who are your musical influences?
Aniyé Music: My musical influences are Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Fantasia, Sarah Vaughn, and Ella Fitzgerald to name a few.
BTM: That’s a strong neo-soul roster you just stated. Which one of those artists would you want to meet and pick their brain apart?
Aniyé Music: I would love love love to meet Jill Scott and really just vibe, connect, and her share a few gems with me!
BTM: What is one thing you love about the industry, and one thing you hate?
Aniyé Music: One thing that I love about the music industry would have to be the fact that I can be my dope authentic self and still ride the wave of trends that circle around. People won’t even notice I’m riding the wave simply because it’s ME doing it! One thing I absolutely hate about the industry is how wicked and conniving it can be if you step into it with a blind eye.
BTM: Where do you see your musical career and accolades 20 years from now?
Aniyé Music: Wow. 20 years from now I see myself as an internationally known, Grammy award winning artist. I see more than just music but several businesses, a couple top selling movies, and even a very prominent music executive of my own label!
BTM: If you could collab with any two artists out there, who would they be?
Aniyé Music: If I could collab with two artists, it would have to be my new R&B sista, Queen Naija, and one of my biggest musical inspirations Erykah Badu.
BTM: If Queen Naija or Erykah Badu, or any other artist looking for an Aniyé Music feature, how would they go about doing so?
Aniyé Music: They would go about doing so through social media first, and then to work out logistics, they would visit my website www.Aniyemusic.com to contact or email me directly at aniyemusic@gmail.com.
BTM: We hope you are able to knock some tracks out with those features! As we wrap up the interview, what are some of the things you have learned so far in your musical career?
Aniyé Music: One thing that I’ve learned is that closed mouths don’t get fed. You have to constantly number one seek the face of God, and two actively go after the things that you want. Actually showing up to the music events and scenes and networking is what would get me where I am supposed to be. Once I have those things in line, I’m unstoppable!
BTM: You have a promising future Aniyé Music! Before we go, any last shoutouts?
Aniyé Music: Shoutout to God, my family, friends, all those who want to see me win, and most importantly BigTmusic.com for this interview!
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