Brighton-born, London-based vocalist and songwriter IYAMAH is carving out a unique soulful R&B sound she calls Rootsy Soul.
Growing up on the sounds of African drumming and reggae music, IYAMAH began to use song writing at the piano as a way of diary-like expression age twelve. By sixteen, she started writing top lines for DnB tracks with Brighton-based label Shogun Audio.
She went on to feature on My NuLeng’s “Senses”, touring the summer festivals including Glastonbury and SW4. In 2024, she has collaborated with Pola & Bryson on “Too Shy” and with DJ Zinc on “Stubborn”.
IYAMAH moved to London aged nineteen to study at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, winning scholarship award for best vocals. She has since been handpicked to tour with the likes of Masego and Mahalia, recorded live sessions for Metropolis Songs, Redbull and Majestic Casual, and sold-out multiple headline shows including The Jazz Café and OMEARA. She has accumulated over 20 million streams and received continuous support from Yazmin Evans and DJ Ace (BBC 1Xtra).
Her debut album, 'In Two Worlds,' delves into her relationship with her past and inner child, exploring themes like nature, success, spirituality and mental health.
Congratulations on the release of your debut album ‘In Two Worlds’! You mentioned that the album started with a Tarot reading. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind the album?
Yes ‘in Two Worlds’ started off the back of a tarot reading. I was feeling torn between my dreams and my reality, so I guess it helped me to make sense of how I was feeling at the time and give a perspective I needed to hear. It was mental how the three cards completely reflected my situation at the time and gave some insight into my past, present and future. I decided to base my two worlds on the imagery that was presented to me that day
‘In Two Worlds’ explores a variety of themes including nature, success, and spirituality. How do these themes reflect your personal experiences and growth as an artist?
My songs are always reflecting where I’m at in my life, or where I was when i wrote it. Nature is something I always come back to, it’s what grounds me, it’s always there whether you see it or you don’t. But my relationship with success is a little more complicated, it’s something I’m still figuring out today. Sometimes it’s important to me and sometimes it isn’t. Spirituality is always evolving and growing into different things each day and then you realise it’s all the same thing. You go in and out, up and back down with all of the above. Nothing is everything and everything is nothing!
You've described your sound as "Rootsy Soul". What does this mean?
Well my music comes from my roots, it’s all the genre’s that inspired me growing up, reggae, hiphop, soul, jazz, and of course soul.
As a newcomer in the music industry', can you share a special moment from the album's creation that really stood out to you?
It’s always special when the project finally clicks in to place. For so long it’s just this idea and all these thoughts going round in your head, and it can get confusing, the lines start to get blurred, and it’s easy to overthink and start questioning everything. Until it just makes sense. That’s a beautiful thing when you finally see it for what it is. But I think the most special part of this whole experience has been touring these songs with the band 2 years after it all began. They really brought new life back to the songs which gave me the spark again, and reminded me of how I felt when I first wrote these songs
What is your top networking tip for connecting with the right people in music e..g a manager or a record label?
If you are your authentic true self, the right people will naturally gravitate towards you. Take note of those who cross your path, because it’s most likely for a reason. One thing that always sticks with me is what I was told that everyone you meet has something to teach you
What's your favorite/least favorite thing about making music?
I love everything about the making of the music, the thing I don’t like is the pressure of money and time
3 artists you’re currently listening to
Mansur Brown, Bas, Famtoumata Diawara
3 things you can't live without in your bag
Lip balm, sunglasses, Gucci guilty
Tips for finding your creativity on a tough day
Go for a walk, then use voicenotes
Your top advice for new music producers/singer-songwriters etc as an emerging artist
Follow your gut, listen to your intuition and your own voice. Just be yourself and connect with people who make you happy and bring out the best in you
