We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Synai Obney. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Synai below.

Synai , appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve been singing since I was a little girl. I remember being 10 years old, singing my heart out in my grandmother’s backyard. Some neighbors who lived around the corner at the time heard me and came knocking on my door, asking where that voice was coming from. They told my family about auditions for the play “The Wiz” at Mills Park in Carson, CA, the city where I was raised. I believe I went to audition that same day, and two weeks later, I found out I got the role of Dorothy. I was so happy! The rest was history. We went straight into rehearsals, and months later, we put on a show that I’ll never forget. It completely changed the trajectory of my life. That was the moment I knew in my heart that I was made for this. I even received support from the Mayor of Carson and other city officials. Years later, they still called me Dorothy. From that point on, I began singing all over the city. At park events, competitions, non-profit events, talent shows at the Carson Community Center, The Home Depot Center, etc. I discovered that I was really good at writing songs when I was 14, which unlocked a new level of my artistry, and I started incorporating that into my work. Looking back at where I started, I’m glad I followed my inner knowing. The best part about my journey is that I’m still barely scratching the surface.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Music has been embedded in my DNA since the womb. I didn’t choose music, music chose me. It was God who called me to this industry to be a light and to shift things. I believe that it is my duty to bring healing through the songs I write and sing. When I was 16, I attended my first music industry party with my sister. She had already been working behind the scenes with artists, actors, and athletes, and she gave me so much knowledge and game. I learned a lot about the music industry before I even started booking major gigs. I am grateful for that experience and the grounding I still draw from today.

In 2019, I went on my very first tour with Kanye West as a vocalist in the Sunday Service choir. I performed at the BET Awards for the first time in June, 2022 with Kirk Franklin and Maverick City. I’ve also had the opportunity to sing background vocals for many amazing, well known artists.

Currently, I am focused on being an independent artist, and I’m ready to share my story. I have a lot to say, so much to sing about. As an artist, I’m very layered, and I want to show more of who Synai truly is. My life is very blessed, but I’ve also faced significant challenges on the road to making my dreams come true. That side of me is rarely seen, yet I believe the trials I’ve endured help me create music that can heal and inspire others.

I want my supporters to feel me when I sing. I want them to know that my life is proof that God can take painful experiences and turn them into beauty. I want my supporters to know that I understand what it’s like to be insanely gifted, yet still struggle internally. I want people who have experienced things like crippling anxiety, depression, feelings of inadequacy, family or friendship trauma, addiction, isolation, etc, to hear my music and feel less alone. I want them to know that you can be counted out, misunderstood, overlooked, talked about, hated on, and still win! One day, I hope to create some type of community dedicated to people out there who have been through a lot of difficult experiences. Beyond music, I also aim to build businesses in creative industries like music and fashion, using these ventures as platforms to give back, including supporting homeless individuals and underserved communities. That is my mission: to be a light and hope in a dark world.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Something I think non-creatives will struggle to understand about my journey as a creative, especially an independent artist, is that our lives don’t follow a typical schedule. We don’t always think the same way or move through the world the same way. There’s pressure and expectation for artists to fit into conventional paths or work traditional jobs, and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, I personally think it’s smart for artists to pursue stability while chasing their dreams, but for me and many creatives, staying too long in spaces that aren’t conducive to creativity literally feels suffocating. I also need a lot of time to myself to reflect, hear God clearly, or sometimes just do nothing, and that time is for me, not automatically available for others. Another thing people may not realize is that I cannot be everywhere all the time, and that’s ok. Just because I’m not able to make every engagement, or may not always be present doesn’t mean I’m upset, distant, or “acting Hollywood”. Pursuing purpose demands so much time, energy, and precision.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I had to unlearn is poor vocal technique. For most of my life, I was solely focused on the joy of singing, until I got older and started experiencing some vocal complications. Thankfully, nothing too severe, but it made me realize I needed to make changes in my vocal regimen, including adjustments to my diet, since certain foods can cause inflammation on the vocal cords. I’m now actively implementing better habits that promote vocal health.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synaiobney/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/crQLf-PdvQ0?si=4tN5FcaaEUe9iQ7R

Image Credits

Photographer: @jamaljosef