Meet IndYah Rashaud

Today we’d like to introduce you to IndYah Rashaud.

IndYah, before we jump into specific questions about your art, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started singing when I was three. My first solo at church was jingle bells. I killed it. I recall being told stories of me singing throughout my childhood, but I didn’t recognize my gift for it until I was about 14. I sang a song that spoke to me. I became so engrossed in the performance and when I finally opened my eyes again, I saw how it had affected everyone else in the room. That’s when I first knew I had the power to move a crowd.

As I got older I came more into myself and developed a style that combines my love for down-home gospel harmonies and soulful lyrics. In 2010, I met Inkwell on twitter. He asked me if I wanted to sing on some tracks and invited me to the studio which was in his home. Once there, I met the two Ezra’s, better known as Veg and Ben Yusef, Koji the Bandit and elB. Back then they were known as District Ph(ive). They took me in as a virtual blank slate and taught me a lot of what I know as far as constructing a song and telling my story over melody. Now, ten years later (WOW), I have a better grasp of who I am as an artist and my music as of late reflects that growth. My upcoming album, Concentrated Funk, tells the story of how I learned what and whom my gift was for.

Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all. I mean life in general is hard. I’ve lost people along the way, been taken advantage of A LOT. I could talk about all the outside influences that worked against me, but the biggest obstacle I’ve faced was getting beyond the limits I set for myself. Overcoming self-doubt, self-sabotage, and gaining self-confidence were all things I couldn’t have achieved if it weren’t for my faith.

Please tell us about your art.
I am a soul singer. I’m known for my big voice and occasional raps. I held a monthly show in Mobile, AL called the Soul Sessions where people could come and get away from the typical hip hop scene. My specialty is feelings. I make music that forces my audience to confront themselves in a way that is positive and conducive to their growth. In this current climate of burying our feelings under nonchalant facades, being self aware is a very important aspect of my art.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I feel that R&B is making a turn back towards addressing real issues. There are a handful of artists who go somewhat unnoticed that have been keeping the art form alive, but I feel as a whole, the genre is shifting back towards authenticity and activism. Not just in the lyrics, but the sound as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.concentratedfunk.com
• Email: bookindyahrashaud@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/IndYahRashaud
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MissRashaud
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/IndYahRashaud

Image Credit:
Mino T Visuals (@lifeofimagery)
Javaughnae Malone (@somethinglikeavisionary)
Ben Yusef (@benjamin_yusef)
Biogis Miguel (@louie_bee)
The Mark Anthony (@themarkanthony.co)

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