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

Alright, Janiah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Throughout my life, music has been a constant presence, shaping my upbringing within a musically inclined family. Both my parents, John Del Rio and Victoria Del Rio, natives of Oahu, Hawaii, were deeply connected to music. In the 90s, my father, John, immersed himself in the local music scene, DJ’ing at “The Ice Palace” skating rink and dancing in a dance group that went by “Divine Boys”. Meanwhile, my mother, Victoria, coming from a family with a strong singing tradition, contributed her vocal talents to the church choir and her family being known as “Hawaii’s Singing Family”.

Growing up, our household resonated with music—whether it was through dancing, singing, or simply having the radio play loudly. In my youth, I found solace in my room, either crafting covers of songs or imagining myself on stage, performing my favorite tunes. My father, upon hearing my singing, would retrieve his ukulele and even learned my favorite song, ‘Love Song’ by Anuhea. Family cookouts would consist of harmonious strumming of ukuleles, with my dad and uncles creating a musical atmosphere. Dad would often influence me into singing in front of everyone while he played his ukulele behind me transforming these moments into our own little show for everyone.

As I entered my adolescence, I participated in my school’s talent show in Texas, pouring my heart into singing on stage. Despite my deep love for singing, I hesitated to share my talent with the world, grappling with the fear of judgment, particularly from those in my school community. The pivotal shift came after my high school graduation when I moved to Georgetown, Texas, into my first apartment. This marked a turning point where I could authentically explore my identity, free from the constraints of my small hometown.

The motivation for my journey into the music world occurred when a friend of mine showed me Jack Harlow’s music. We attended his show at the “Moody Center” in Austin, Texas. Harlow’s impassioned speech resonated with me, urging individuals to disregard external opinions and remain true to themselves. He spoke of overcoming skepticism, and people telling him he is never going to make it but there he was on tour in front of 10,000 people, this message deeply struck a chord within me. His speech inspired me to my true calling in music, I decided to take the plunge.

After seeking guidance from my friend’s sister, Saent London, who is also a music creator, I embarked on my musical journey. Following her advice, I explored platforms like Beatstars and YouTube, wrote my first song, ‘Run Away,’ and collaborated with an engineer, SKBeats512, at “Spitshine Studios”. In October 2022, ‘Run Away’ officially debuted on streaming services, marking the beginning of my music career.

Janiah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For everyone reading this, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article about me. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Janiah Del Rio, a 21-year-old R&B singer hailing from Austin, Texas. Over the past two years, I have immersed myself in the realm of music creation. Should you be in search of new. music to elevate your playlists, I specialize in crafting dreamy, groovy, and melodious tunes.

My journey into this industry my life has been deeply intertwined with music from a young age, influenced by both of my parents’ being musically inclined. Growing up, music filled my household, with family gatherings filled with singing and strumming ukuleles. Despite my initial hesitations, my passion for music blossomed, leading me to perform in talent shows and eventually pursue my dreams in Austin, Texas, where I could freely explore my musical identity.

A moment came when I attended Jack Harlow’s concert, where his empowering message about staying true to oneself resonated deeply, inspiring me to pursue music wholeheartedly. My first step was getting guidance from my friend’s sister and fellow music creator, Saent London, I took the leap into the music world, leveraging platforms like Beatstars and YouTube to create and share my music. My debut song, ‘Run Away,’ marked the official start of my music career, setting me on a path toward fulfilling my musical ambitions.

What distinguishes me as more than just an R&B singer is the soothing quality of my voice, a characteristic often noted by many of my listeners. Unlike many others, I don’t rely on hitting extraordinary notes to create captivating music. Instead, my music has a natural flow that effortlessly carries listeners along, setting me apart in the realm of singers.

I’m incredibly proud of the progress I’ve made in such a short span of time, since i’ve only been in this industry for 2 years. My sincere wish is that my music continues to resonate with an ever-expanding audience, fostering connections and inspiring others through both my music and my work ethic. Currently, I’m diligently crafting my upcoming album titled “I’m Still Blooming,” aiming for its release by the end of May 2024. In the meantime, I urge everyone to delve into my existing music, as I assure you, there’s even better to come. With each song I create, I strive for improvement, continuously learning and evolving with every new release.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When I first embarked on my musical journey, I underestimated the importance of both quality and marketing. The initial studio where I recorded lacked the necessary sound quality, resulting in my first three songs sounding amateurish. Recognizing the significance of investing in better quality early on could have provided a stronger foundation for entering the industry. Yet, as the saying goes, everyone starts somewhere.

Understanding the value of investing in better equipment for better quality and embracing effective marketing strategies are huge steps for aspiring musicians. Regrettably, during my initial start into music, I failed to leverage marketing effectively. Instead of creating content relevant to promoting my music, I often shared unrelated selfies or amusing TikTok videos. This oversight became apparent when I grasped the importance of marketing and quality in shaping one’s brand and artistry.

In 2023, I had met Rich The Mack another fellow artist here in Austin, Texas. Rich helped me realize how important the marketing aspect is for a music artist. I underwent a rebranding process, leading up to the removal of my first three songs, namely “Run Away,” “Encounter,” and “Captivated.” In their place, I crafted my debut EP, “In The Next Life,” signifying a farewell to my early musical endeavors and the dawn of a new era as Janiah Del Rio.

Although “Run Away” remains exclusively on SoundCloud, I find value in preserving it as a testament to my musical evolution. This decision allows listeners to trace my progression, from those initial recordings to my current work, showcasing the growth and refinement of Janiah Del Rio’s artistry.

As I prepare for my upcoming album, I’m excited to include a special track dedicated to my loyal listeners who supported me when I first had those original three records up. This track will feature a remastered version of “Encounter,” featuring Kameryn Gillaspy, serving as a tribute to those who witnessed the evolution of my music.

I now record all of my music at Three Hound Sound Studios located in San Marcos, Texas. All mixed and engineer by the one and only Sam Hinds. I am super thankful to have surrounded myself by amazing people who have guided me into the right direction to bring me where I am today. Without them I would’ve never made the decision to rebrand or take my music to a more professional level.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

As an artist, one of the most fulfilling experiences is when others discover my music and share their feedback. Knowing that people genuinely enjoy listening to my music brings me immense joy. My ultimate goal is to create music that resonates with others, and when I achieve that connection, it’s incredibly rewarding.

I’ll never forget the time someone confided in me, saying that my music inspired them to return to their own musical pursuits after a long hiatus. Hearing such heartfelt feedback reminds me of the impact that my art can have on others, and it reinforces my passion for what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://songwhip.com/janiahdelrio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janiahdelrio/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/janiahdelrio
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrg86X4dl44z7AZoI779WYQ