 Meet Chiyanti, the new artist blending Rap, Soul, and R&B with Country. In August 2021, Chiyanti dropped her song “Big Ole Wagon'', and went viral. You can check out the song here. Chiyanti loves all genres of music and one day she woke up with a feeling to do a country song. “I wanted to do something different. I wanted country but something fun. I wanted a country twerk song. I made the song, and I was nervous about it”. The song ended up going viral on TikTok. The viral hit landed in the hands of Black Opry founder Holly G who then sent it to Rissi Palmer. Holly featured Chiyanti on the Black Opry website; you can check out the article here. The next thing Chiyanti knew, she was featured on Palmer’s Apple Music show, “Color Me Country”. “I didn’t know who Rissi was or what the show was, but she’s so invested in country music and we both agree on the fact that country music needs people of color and LGBTQ+ artists. Both Rissi and Holly are all about creating inclusive spaces and talent in country music”. You can hear the “Color Me Country” episode here.
Chiyanti hails from Brooklyn, New York but is now living in Houston, Texas. Music played a big part in her childhood. “Growing up, my childhood was fun. My mom always had MTV and VH1 on, so we saw and heard all the music and the music videos”. At 14, Chiyanti went into the group home system to live in a house with other young girls her age. Before she left, her grandmother gifted her a keyboard. “In the home I was never able to watch the tv because all the other girls would take it over, so I played my piano and I started songwriting to occupy myself and express my feelings. ” Once Chiyanti left the house at 18, she started working at Guitar Center where she learnt about all kinds of equipment and instruments. In addition to making music full time, Chiyanti is a piano teacher. “As a teacher, I have a gift of explaining. Teaching shows me that I have that gift. I can’t read music, but I teach how to listen and play by ear”. When the Houston living artist went viral, she started going live on Instagram with some of the biggest R&B artists like Monica, who is rumored to have a country album coming out, and K Michelle. Michelle is the first African-American artist to be sponsored by Jack Daniels. Chiyanti wants people to know that her interests in other genres set her apart. “Nelly stepped out and went into country. You never know who would like you if you don’t step out of your genre and comfort zone. I’m not doing traditional country; I want to bring country up to speed and create a new sound”. Chiyanti just dropped her album “The Introduction of Chiyanti” and features a mix of Rap, Soul, and R&B along with her viral country hit, “Big Ole Wagon”. You can check out the album here. You can follow Chiyanti on Instagram at @chiyanti_ find more information
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