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Aiyana-Lee grew up surrounded by music. Aiyana-Lee's mother manager, and creative partner is Nicole Daciana Anderson, a multiplatinum singer-songwriter (BLUE), her uncle was David Ruffin of The Temptations, and her grandfather was famed American soul singer Jimmy Ruffin. With such a rich musical history, it was inevitable she would follow in her fames family’s footsteps. She began singing at age two, a charismatic toddler who would jump on stage any chance she got – especially while joining her mother on tour. Most recently, she was discovered by legendary music producer LA Reid, who signed Aiyana-Lee to his entertainment company & record label, HITCO.
Now 20, Aiyana-Lee has honed her skills and sound to create a stunning debut album, Wednesday’s Child, which draws on experiences from her own life. Over the years, Aiyana-Lee’s relationship with music has grown and evolved, ushering her through both dark and joyous times. “As you grow up, your relationship with music changes,” she said. “Especially when you’re down or in a dark place, it resonates in a different way than when you’re happy. Music helped me through a lot of dark shit.” Growing up in London, Aiyana-Lee was constantly bullied at school. “I was a chubby kid who was also very sassy and confident,” she explained.“ confident and have a dream. I was singing in the playground and getting told off for it and bullied.” She subsequently changed schools four times before being home-schooled, which allowed her to graduate high school early and focus full time on her musical aspirations.
When Aiyana-Lee was 15, she and her mother moved to Los Angeles so she could pursue her dream of being a singer. They struggled financially to make ends meet as the two poured everything into her career. “My mom sacrificed everything,” Aiyana-Lee said. “We had to lose our house, we lived meagerly, eating canned foods together. We’d make a good time of walking down the street and people watching, laughing when we didn’t even have a dime to our name. That’s what the song ‘Rich Kids’ is all about. It’s my story, but I feel like I’m speaking to people who still go through the same thing.”
Meanwhile, “Gangster of Love” is a soulful ballad with bite and a twist. “It’s about falling for someone but reminding them and yourself that you won’t allow them to play you, no matter how hard you fall,” Aiyana Lee said. “You might just end up breaking their heart instead.” Written during Covid-19 lockdown with ample time to reflect on her past and present, Wednesday’s Child takes us through the journey of Aiyana-Lee’s unique and tumultuous climb to prominence. She hopes it will provide solace to others the way music has shepherded her through so much.
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