/ Home to UK R&B, Neo-Soul and everything in between
Aisha J
"I would probably crack open a bottle with my teeth, which is a really weird thing I have been able to do since I was a kid!"
Born and bred in East London, Brit School grad Aisha J translates her youthful life through the refreshing soundtracks that are presented in a beautifully seductive symphony of R&B and soul, breaking the conventional boundaries of mainstream music with her unique alternative style. The 19-year-old artist manages to enthral her audience with her powerful raspy vocals and move them with her raw and playful lyrics. While primarily maintaining a neo-soul sound, Aisha J explores various sub-genres from dark jazz to bedroom pop to create a unique atmosphere for her listeners to get lost in NEO caught up Aisha J to find out if she was in a small party with people she does not know. What would be her party trick she would bring out to lighten the mood?
NEO:How would you describe your music journey?
AISHA J: My music journey was most definitely a unique one, as I started out in musical theatre from a very young age which my mum got me into and I still love to this day, and from then I developed a love for singing and performing. Once I started studying music at the Brit School in 2017, I learned so much about the music industry and received so many opportunities that I never could have gotten anywhere else; being there just cemented my passion for me. Since then, I've been writing and releasing my own music, occasionally producing music myself.
NEO:What was your parents reaction to you becoming a singer?
AISHA J: I won't lie when I say that it wasn't the ideal career my mum had in mind for me but she has very supportive the whole way through, as she was also the one that got me into it, not knowing that it would become my career. She always sends my music around every time I have a new release, pays for my songs to support me financially, and I love how she tries so hard to be hands-on, despite not knowing much about the music industry and educating herself as much as possible.
NEO:What is the most memorable moment in your career so far?
AISHA J: There have definitely been a select few but to be honest, getting to sing for Jessie J definitely takes the cake for me! We got to see her before her show at Royal Albert Hall in 2018, and she gave us a lot of useful advice about the music industry and maintaining our voices and stuff like that. She even picked me out to sing for her and recorded some of it for her Instagram, I think it's still up on her page actually!
NEO:Should we be expecting more music anytime soon?
AISHA J: Oh, most definitely! I have a lot of songs in the works, some of which I'm just patiently waiting to record and perform, but obviously we have to be wary of the current pandemic. Being in quarantine has definitely pushed me to focus more on my craft, allowing me to improve my songwriting and such, so there are quite a few songs I'm sitting on at the moment.
NEO:What’s life like for you outside of music?
AISHA J: At the moment I'm a student at uni, studying criminology which is a massive 180 from music! It's definitely one of the many other passions that I have always wanted to pursue, and I don't think anyone I know would forgive me for not having a backup plan! In all seriousness though, I never liked the idea of keeping all my eggs in one basket, so although music is my main true passion, I do try to fulfil my other hobbies and passions like writing, acting, and criminology, of course.
NEO:You are in a small party with people you do not know. What would be your party trick you would bring out to lighten the mood?
AISHA J: I would probably crack open a bottle with my teeth, which is a really weird thing I have been able to do since I was a kid! I might start singing as well, if anyone had a guitar on them, start a little jam sesh to ease the mood.
NEO:If you had a super power what would it be and why?
AISHA J: I have always believed that the coolest power is the power of time; being able to teleport, slow down and speed up time, travel through time, I have always found the concept really cool! If I had to have a back-up, I'd say the ability to fly for sure, cos it beats public transport any day of the week!
NEO:If you could be any animal in the animal kingdom, what would you be and why?
AISHA J: I have always felt a weird connection to sloths, I have no idea why, I just relate to them on a different level, so it's gonna have to be that!
NEO:You are left in the world with three songs: what would they be? And why?
AISHA J: Ooh, that's a very hard one. If I had to choose, then I'd pick a ballad or two for sure, just to have something to sing along to. My go-to ballad would have to be 'I Know Where I've Been' from Hairspray; hard choice but a necessary one, staying true to my musical theatre roots. 'Alright' by Kendrick Lamar would be another, as something to motivate me during the day. The last song is gonna have to be 'A Kiss' by The Driver Era, which is one of my favourite songs at the moment.
NEO:What song would you use as the theme song for your life currently?
AISHA J: I've actually thought about this before and I feel like at the moment, I definitely think 'The Lazy Song' by Bruno Mars perfectly captures where I'm at right now.
NEO:Let us know where to find you, on your social media.
AISHA J: You can find me and my music on my social media pages below!
My website: https://aisha-j.squarespace.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aishtheunicorn/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aishtheunicorn
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fWcrnSBd7dV6Wbhg6v5W5
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aishtheunicorn
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/aishtheunicorn
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnF4PkaKPq9bP9JdqIFYY5A​