Yahjah – Sunrise | @YahjahSings
YahJah rides waves of success with single ‘Sunrise’
NEW ORLEANS, LA – Yahjah Kandous comes from a large, artistic family. She’s the youngest of nine siblings – the oldest of which is 22 years older than her. Many of those siblings enjoy careers in the arts. One sister sang in choirs and recorded a couple of songs. One sister is a poet and preformed what she coined as “Hiphopoetry.” A brother is a visual artist who works in a variety of mediums. And yet another brother incorporated his construction skills into designing and building original furniture pieces.
But none of them has found local recognition in the music industry like YahJah. Performing since she was a young girl, YahJah was inspired by Lauryn Hill, India Arie and Alicia Keys. And she has chosen to use her musical talents to pursue a career emulated by those prominent, famed female artists. She took her first step on that journey in 2014 with the release of her first original single, “More to Me.” YahJah has since gone on to write and record more original tracks, including her most recent hit single “Sunrise.”
“It’s a fun song that’s a strong mixture of R&B and Pop,” YahJah described. “It’s basically about girls getting together for fun and dancing until the ‘Sunrise.’ It’s about having drama-free fun – guys can look, but don’t touch.”
YahJah said she’s particularly proud of the music video she created for the song. She spent much of 2017 raising money through GoFundMe. Eventually, she raised enough money to transform her house into a club scene, hire choreographers, dancers, and an entire crew to shoot a high-quality music video. Her family and fan-base went wild over her first video.
“Sunrise” is one of six songs that YahJah said she will put on an EP, which she hopes to drop later this year. It is a project that she said will showcase her versatility and originality, all wrapped around her unique “soft” voice. While “Sunrise” is more of a dance/pop song, others on the EP will show off her abilities to write ballads, hip-hop and even neo-soul sounds.
“I want my music to be fun and dance and commercial but always with a hint of positivity,” she said. “As an artist you influence so many people, and I think it’s important that you connect with what you’re selling and try to represent that in your daily life. That makes it authentic and portrays your inner self and the message you want the world to hear. I always want to be mindful of the message behind my music.”
YahJah said her proudest moment so far was performing at the House of Blues in New Orleans with her dancers. She said being on that stage was “an amazing feeling. With the lights and the crowd’s response, I felt like a star!” YahJah said she has another single that she’s planning to drop in April, with more songs coming by the end of summer – all leading to the release of the EP by the end of the year.
To listen to YahJah’s music or to follow her on social media, please visit:
https://www.instagram.com/yahjahsings/
https://twitter.com/YahjahSings
https://www.facebook.com/YahJahSings/
Snapchat: @yahjahsings
House of Blues Performance
https://youtu.be/QeOA6k0GTKk
“Sunrise” Music Video
https://youtu.be/5N2g77WuxZo
KOKO’s music is a testament to her international background. Hailing from Finland and spending part of her life in Brussels, Belgium, she brings a blend of Northern European sophistication and Middle European jazz and funk to her music. It’s this eclectic mix that sets her apart, making her sound a breath of fresh air in the New York scene.
KOKO mentions her fondness for the jazz and funk she experienced in Brussels, stating, “I definitely have like funk elements in my music, especially from the time when we lived in Brussels, because we went to see like a lot of jazz, for example, at all times.” This richness in artistry isn’t just serendipitous; it’s intentional and a core part of who she is as an artist.
The New York City Metamorphosis
Moving to the epicenter of varied artistic expression, New York City, KOKO continued to evolve her craft. It’s here that she found the latitude to further her studies in sound engineering and delve deeper into the music world. Attending SAE Institute of Technology was a decision that would shape her future, immersing her in a community that lives and breathes sound.
Yet, it isn’t just about the music for KOKO. It’s about being “in motion,” as she refers to her debut LP, aptly titled “Coco Motion.” This project encapsulates her experiences and growth during her time in the States. Each song represents a timestamp, chronicling her evolution from an international student to a New York artist. “It’s like a timeline, almost like how my journey has been here,” she reflects.
The Beacon of Self-love and Empowerment
Amid the beats and melodies, there’s an underlying narrative in KOKO’s music: the importance of self-love and empowerment. These are not just themes but the lifeblood of her creative expression. KOKO is on a mission to inspire, guide, and remind listeners of their inherent worth and capacity for love.
She doesn’t shy away from her advocacy for mental health, recognizing its significance in today’s society. For KOKO, music is a medium for healing and spiritual growth. “My sound is conscious pop,” she says, signaling the reflective quality of her songs and their purpose to resonate on a deeper level with her audience.
As we recap the indelible impression KOKO has made in her interview with Shah Cypha, it’s clear that her trajectory is not simply one of personal ambition but also of universal resonance. Her music, imbued with both her Finnish and Brussels-influenced roots, has found a nurturing home in New York City, blossoming into a soundtrack of self-development and positive vibrations. With a firm stance on female empowerment and mental health, KOKO’s presence in the industry goes beyond entertainment; it’s a catalyst for transformation and healing. Her upcoming LP, “KOKOmotion,” is set to ripple through the collective consciousness, reminding us all to stay in perpetual movement toward our highest selves.
Cincinnati native Big Lotion drops his new single titled “Green A Go.” Listen below via Spotify or on any music platform. You can also follow him on IG.
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