We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Liyah Iman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Liyah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned how to be a creative musician from my family, school, and music lessons. I learned how to be a songwriter through self exploration and discovery, peeling back layers of myself I didn’t know existed.

My grandmother 1st taught me how to play piano when I was 4. I spent many years composing songs no one will ever hear, learning to expand beyond the music written on the page.

When I wasn’t at my grandparents house for the summer I was either singing gospel music with my mom in the car or I was taking lessons to learn more skills.

Throughout my school years (6th grade – 12th grade) I learned how to play the flute and I learned how to sing operatic style music.

If I could do anything to speed up the process through all of the knowledge I was learning, I really would have liked to be on the computer laying sounds!

I feel like that would have helped me get my creative spark going towards being a songwriter sooner.

I didn’t start writing my own songs until I taught myself how to play guitar and I feel like I would have so much more knowledge on the music industry if I discovered this skill earlier.

I feel like a very important skill you have to have as a musician and songwriter is the ability to keep a secret.

Sometimes as an artist you want to share everything you make as soon as you make it. It can be hard to keep it to yourself. I’ve had to learn to prepare a release rather than just giving all my new ideas at once.

The one obstacle that kept me from learning all I know today faster would have to be my mental health.

I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder after a suicide attempt when I was 24.

I think about all the times before when my traumatic childhood would sometimes affect my ability to learn or even focus on school.

I made it through high school by the grace of God but I actually had to drop out of college because mentally I couldn’t handle the stress of going to school and working full time.

It was a very hard time for me making the decision to quit because I never quit, but for the first time in my life I choose myself and I’m so happy I did because I’ve been able to heal. I’ve been able to find myself and my sound and as a result my creativity has gone to a new level!

Liyah, 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?

I got into the music industry by going to a couple open mics in Houston.

This was years after my school days where I was in band and choir..

I had been songwriting with my guitar for a while and was ready to show some people my work.

That night I performed for the first time I got so many compliments! People were so shocked that I could play guitar and sing at the same time.

After that experience I realized this is actually the direction I want to take in life. Before this moment I always thought I would just be a professional flute player or an opera singer.

It wasn’t so much that I wanted to be a star but I wanted to heal people with my poetry and voice. I loved the messages I was singing in my music! The love I received at these open mics I was attending really sparked my passion for entertainment.

I currently offer many services. I am a vocal & instrumental performer who can perform at any venue with any style of music.

I also am a music producer who can produce beats or sound stems for any genre of music. I am also a teacher and would love to teach anyone willing how to sing, play flute, or piano!

I believe I could solve any creative problem you have. I could just come into a session and offer many different ideas because my creativity flows so freely.

I think I’m actually most proud of the fact that my creativity flows so freely. It has given me a confidence that I never thought I could have.

I can be a very shy person but when it comes to music I come out of my shell immediately and all my knowledge flows with my creativity to make very inspirational and stunning sounds! Having a great voice is just a plus to be proud of because I’ve worked and practiced very hard to get my vocal skills to where they are today!

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

I think the most rewarding part of being an artist is the joy and connection you get to experience everyday.

On one hand everyone loves music and it stimulates of lot of the flow and creativity that we see in the world today.

To have the talent to create alongside people that you’ve heard make masterpieces is so rewarding. Just to know that I can make something from a thought in my mind is so thrilling.

On the other hand there is a very rewarding sensation that comes from completing a song.

We all love to get things done and when it comes to creating sometimes it can take months just to accept that there is nothing else you can add to it.

Stepping back and listening or looking at a piece of your work and saying “I really love what I’ve created” is a feeling that will never get old!

It’s so affirming because sometimes you don’t even know where you got the idea from, just that at the time you knew you had to make that idea a real thing!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal for my career is to not only bring healing to people through my music, but to actually help heal people, animals, and our ecosystems with the fruits of my labor.

Money is a huge factor in our world today and I know it can be hard to make.

I haven’t quite reached a place where I can be financially stable purely off of music but when that time comes I desire to dedicate at least 40% of my income to philanthropy.

I desire to be an example for those currently making millions and show them how to start helping the communities and the planet so that I can raise my children in a world where everyone knows happiness and rest.

I desire to help bring peace to this world and help people to see that there is value in community; that there is more value than just family. We are all connected and we should act as such!

You never know who has the next big thing out there that could drastically change the way we live and if money is the only limit for them to get that idea out there I desire to be a facilitator to those dreams and provide opportunities to those who crave to make a difference as well.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/liyahimaninc
• Twitter: Twitter.com/liyahimaninc
• Youtube: https://rb.gy/4f95ml
• Other: Voisey: LiyahIman Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Aaliyah Colen – Marshall