Where do you originally hail from and where are you based now?

I’m originally from Little Rock, Arkansas where I was born and raised. I just recently moved to Orlando, Florida in 2020.

Have you always been interested in music?

Growing up, I’ve always wanted to do music. All the other kids wanted to be doctors, lawyers and astronauts but I just wanted to sing. I think being raised in the church had a huge influence on that because I would sing in the choir and I was around music constantly.  My family is also full of amazing singers so often times we would just sing random songs around my grandmothers house on holidays or we would sing together in the church choir. Simply put, music has always been apart of my life.

Please tell us more about your release “Messed Up” How did this idea first come together and what is the inspiration behind it?

So the producer who produced the song (Fantastick) sent the beat over and I managed to turn it around in a day. I was in my feelings a little bit so it was easy to just let the words flow. Those words came mostly off the top of my head well, the hook specifically, and I wanted to say something catchy and powerful to me.  I think too many times I’ve tried way too hard to gain the attention of guys to only realize I don’t have to do all that and they don’t really care. You have to learn your place in people’s life so you can avoid situations where someone got you all the way messed up!

You have an amazing voice. Are you vocally trained?

As I said before, I grew up in the church so, I’ve sung in my fair share of church choirs. The most proper vocal training I’ve had are the choir classes I took when I was in school. I took choir in 6th grade all the way up to 11th grade where I made all-region every year except 1 year. All region is a competition for students in choir all over the state to compete in. That was always a cool experience for me and besides the natural gift to sing, this is the most vocal training I’ve had.

What has remained as your constant source of inspiration?

I am constantly inspired by some of my favorite artists and my family. Artists like H.E.R, Brandy, and Jazmine Sullivan always inspire me. H.E.R is just musically genius and I’ve been a fan of hers since I discovered her in high school. Brandy and Jazmine have always inspired me vocally from the way they riff and run to the music they create! My family is constant inspiration because of how resilient they are. We’ve been through our fair share of troubles like any family but we always come back to each other. We always come back to family.

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Writers block is the absolute worst! It’s even more worse when I actually want to create some music but I have no words. It’s very frustrating but to be honest I don’t deal with writers block. I don’t force anything because when I do, I become a terrible writer. I think it’s important to let words flow and when I encounter writers block, I let it have its moment then when I have something, I’m back as if nothing happened!

What’s a little-known fact about you that might surprise people?

I don’t know if it will surprise anyone but I’m heavy into the battle rap world. I’m such a fan of it! I came across URL in highschool and have been a fan ever since. Some of My favorite battle rappers are Jaz the Rapper, Tsu Surf, Chess, and Rum Nitty. They are top tier battle rappers in my book!

Is there anything else you’d like to say before we wrap things up? Are there any words for your fans?

I just want to thank everyone who has listened to my latest single “Messed Up” and if you haven’t, it’s out EVERYWHERE on streaming platforms. I’m just getting started and there’s so much more to come so get ready!

It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story? How did you get to where you are today

Ali: This story is actually pretty funny. My mom always wanted me to play the piano because it was a dream of hers. I hated the idea of playing the piano and thought it was useless. But my parents and piano teacher didn’t give up on me. They kept pushing me until I suddenly fell in love with playing the piano and this was where it all began. It was a love-hate type of relationship the piano and I had.

After years of learning how to play I finally decided to try producing and creating my own music. That was during quarantine when COVID was still starting in March 2020. I would spend most of my days in my room just learning non-stop by watching YouTube videos. It got to the point where my parents were like “why isn’t he coming out of the room all day? Did he forget about us?”

Congratulations on your latest album “Toxicity”, how do you feel about the newfound success?

Ali: Thank you so much. I’m honestly still reeling from the amount of support I’ve gotten on this new album. I remember when I used to have about 3-4 monthly listeners on Spotify, even though it was a very small amount, that didn’t stop me from working hard to make more and better songs. But now with this new album, all of a sudden I have 10,000+ monthly listeners, 8,000+ streams and I’m like how the hell does that even happen so quickly. It hasn’t even been a week since the album came out.

5 years ago, if someone would’ve told me I would be making music and hitting a million streams over one song, I would’ve called you crazy. A lot of my friends and family know I’ve always had a dream of being a pilot when I was a little kid, but of course, as you grow older, you realize what matters most to you and what’s something you want to spend the rest of your life doing.

I would not trade this for anything else in the world. I feel so so grateful for having all these amazing people supporting me and pushing me to do my best, especially my family.

What was the inspiration behind the album?

Ali: The main thing that inspired me to make this album was my first album. It was terrible, I can’t even describe how bad it was. And so every time I’d listen to it, I’m like what was I even thinking back then. So ever since then, I put in my mind that I want to make an album that’ll make anyone who’s heard the first, forget about it.

I wanted to make an album that I can rebrand myself with as an artist and an album where I can explore new instruments, new vocal styles and new sounds. I didn’t want to make an album with just one genre in it. I wanted to mix between pop, ballads, R&B and more so that listeners can have a variety to choose from

What single off the album “Toxicity” do you anticipate taking off both on charts and with listeners/fans?

Ali: So far the most listened to songs on the album are “For You (Ft. Lakeith)” “Monster” and “Hold Me Close”. So If I’d have to pick, I’d go with “For You”.

Wow! Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Ali: That is really hard to pick. I have 2 favorite songs, “The Night We Met” which was released last year, and in which I’m re-recording again to improve it, and “Nineteen”

But I think “Nineteen” is my top favorite because it’s really personal to me. It’s a song about questioning how your future will go, will you achieve your goals, what’s next for you, are you on the right path and etc. Many of us could really relate to this song.

Which title or hat are you most proud to wear outside of being an artist, and why?

Ali: I’d like to think of myself as kind and compassionate. Someone you could turn to who would be there for you and someone you can rely on.

If you had one message to give your fans, what would it be?

Ali: You guys are the incredible, and I cannot wait to share more projects with you soon.

For our final question, is there anything else you would like to add?

Ali: I’d like to thank my mom, my dad and my brother for being so supportive and for always believing in me, and I’d like to thank my friends as well for pushing me to do my best.

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Congratulations on your first EP “Bonnie and Clyde” how do you feel about your newfound success?

I’m really overwhelmed! I’m so grateful to have my first EP out in the world. I  wanted to create a full piece of artwork after I spent a couple of years experimenting with my sound as an artist.

When I first came out into the music scene doing my own creations I was headed more so to the pop genre….however I knew it wasn’t exactly what I wanted to pursue.I really wanted to take a dive into the RnB genre.

Always been heavily influenced by RnB ….though looking back being younger me doing RnB music I felt most people probably would understand/take me seriously as an artist …..however seein my song “Handouts” of my EP Bonnie and Clyde  reaching nearly half a MILLION stream…says im doing something right. 🙂

In what ways do you come up with ideas? We know that starting a musical composition isn’t always easy. How do you get your creative juices flowing?

I feel like every time it comes to creating a song it’s a bit different yet the same…..typically I’m just in my room, my space.I love to write stories/things I see or hear about what ones going through.The songs off my EP   “Bonnie and Clyde” are relationship-driven….which is odd considering I myself have not been in a relationship …..I typically pick and pull from those around me.

Can you see your finished product before you start?​

Sometimes yes once I get the vision in my head right .

Have you always been interested in music?

Yes, growing up I was always involved in the honor choir !

What’s a little-known fact about you that might surprise people?

…..lets keep them guessing on that one

Is there anything else you’d like to say before we wrap things up? Are there any words for your fans?

I love you sweet beautiful souls,xoxo

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