Interview: New York RnB Artist Ayanna Moonah Discusses Her New Single "Float"
Congratulations on your new single “Float”. Who produced it and would you say that the song is based on a personal experience?
Thank you!!! I’m so proud of this single. The original beat was produced by a producer that goes by ‘Unknown Instrumentalz’ - he’s so talented. I took his beat, slowed it way down and then I took it from there.
I wouldn’t say the song is necessarily from personal experience, in fact, a lot of the fun of songwriting for me is creating the storyline for a song. Typically, the atmosphere of the beat leads the direction of the song. I obviously always pull from my personal life, but it definitely isn’t totally autobiographical.
Can we expect to hear “Float” on an upcoming EP or album? If so, what can you tell us about it?
Yes! “Float” will definitely be making an appearance on my EP that is coming out at the end of the year. I’m so excited to put this project out, I’ve been working on it nonstop. The EP feels like a snapshot of the madness that goes on in my head.
How would you describe your creative process when it comes to the development of new music?
I always say that the songs write themselves. Usually the first thing I do is freestyle over the beat. I do the actual refining and writing afterwards.
Anytime I’ve gone into the recording process with a plan, I just don’t connect with it as much.
How did you get started writing music and who were some artists that influenced you early on?
I feel like I’ve been writing music my whole life but it's only recently that I’ve shared that part of myself. I was in a ton of choirs as a kid, so it was inevitable that I would start writing for myself.
Early on I was definitely influenced by artists like Alicia Keys. I found her songs to be very emotionally honest which I really admired, and still do.
With 2020 winding down, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of the year and going into 2021?
I really want to step out of my musical comfort zone. I feel like I have such a diverse music taste, and I would love for the music that I make to more strongly reflect that.