Moni in the Middle…Interview with Ayo! Leilani

hyperadmin | Moni in the Middle | Thursday, April 8th, 2010

www.copymyrecords.com

They call her the mama of 88 Days. My friends call her the next gen Jill Scott. We say “Ayo! Leilani, what you say g’yal?!”. Kenyan born Leilani got her extended name from hip hop notable KJ, also from the 88 Days of Fortune crew. This sweet voiced lady has a mighty presence on stage. She’s that calm and collect, tell it like it is type, singing straight from raw emotion.  As a little one she was making up songs with family in Africa, then later migrated to Canada and started up the west-end Toronto version of the “Cousins Band”…

Full interview after the jump!

Images: Kevin Robert Fong, www.copymyrecords.com
Space: The Boat, 158 Augusta Avenue, Kensington Market

So I heard you first started your music career in Nairobi Kenya, tell me about that ? *smile*

I wouldn’t actually call it a career – more like a love for music that sprung from an early age. I was born in Kenya and was there until I was four – I come from a large family and every Sunday was spent at my grandmother’s house for lunch/dinner – all the kids in the family would get together and make a “show” for the adults – we were the “cousin’s band” – hahaha! not really a band…. more like kids playing around……

How did moving to Canada change your family dynamic and your interest in music?

It didn’t really – my parents are world travelers and we were able to assimilate to the Canadian culture pretty easily – my interest in music pretty much stayed pretty constant.

Who are your musical inspirations?

I grew up listening to Paul Simon, Tracy Chapman, Crosby Stills Nash Young, Mary J, AAliyah, Janet Jackson…… But to be honest my TRUE inspirations are the people who I know and the people who I see working hard to make their music heard through out the world:

KJ, ABSTRACT RANDOM, BRENDAN PHILIP, WOLF J, T.ANA COLE, AMENTA, MAIKO WATSON, THEESATISFACTION, ZAKI IBRAHIM, TANIKA CHARLES, OOH BABY GIMMIE MORES, THE CARPS, THE STYROFOAM ONES, SPEK WON……ect.

Leilani Picture 078[1]

Were you always such a passionate performer?

No! I actually use to be so scared to even sing in front of my friends – to the point where I would get physically sick with anxiety! But not anymore – sometimes I’ll get a tad bit nervous but nothing like what I use to be like – really though, I never thought I would get over it… the fright… I’m happy I did.

How did you get connected to 88 days?

I’m actually the founder of 88 Days of Fortune… It started with a psychic telling me that I was going to have 88 days of fortune – 8 looks like the infinity symbol – so I took her message as, “I was going to have double infinity days of fortune”…. I had a meeting with KJ, Brendan, Nadine, and Yannick and brought to them the idea of a city wide tour called “88 Days Of Fortune” – from there it took on a life of it’s own, picking up other artists along the way and evolving into a collective of supremely talented people.

Where did the collective first lay it down?

Our first show with the original members of 88 Days was at Heartbeat960 – it was the most magical night ever…. it was the night that I believe everyone involved realized exactly what we had and how far we could go with it.

www.copymyrecords.com

Have you experienced challenges being part of the queer community and representing the urban genre?

To be honest, not really. I find that the people who know me and who I surround myself with are open minded people who see me for my music and talent and not for being queer. I tend to stay away from anything or anyone that puts me in any type of box. I am me – vibration on this planet just like everything else.

What are the projects you are working on and who are you collaborating with?

I’m working on a few different projects at the moment. The first is my Soulful House Mix Tape called “Been Lean” – producers range from myself, LoverSun from abstractRANDOM, Lord Quest, and a few others. I’m collaborating with performers like WolF J, Brendan Philip, THEESatisfaction and so much more!

I’m also working on my Debut Album “Black Water Project” – It’s more of a political/social justice type vibe. Hip hop/experimental… So far I’ve done a track with mfp {Masaki} from Japan and LoverSun from abstractRANDOM.

www.copymyrecords.com

Who do you want to work with in the future?

It would be awesome to work with Zaki Ibrahim , Lauryn Hill, Nneka, The Roots, Amel from Groove Theory, umm…. Tracy Chapman… the list goes on and on I’m sure – I just can’t think of any more..haha

Catch Ayo Leilani tonight w/Abstract Random and THEESatisfacton as part of the Black Weirdo Tour and Jam #2 of the 88 Days of Fortune 1 year anniversary celebrations.

Tonight!!

The Rearview Mirror, 193½ Baldwin Ave. in Kensington Market

Doors open at 10pm, www.88days.ca

No Comments »

  1. […] April 8, 2010 · Leave a Comment http://cityonmyback.com/2010/04/08/moni-in-the-middle-interview-with-ayo-leilani/#more-14258 […]

    Pingback by coverage… exposure… word is out. « abstract random — April 8, 2010 @ 4:10 pm

  2. I’ve been wondering who Leilani is for the past year…. heard a lot about 88 days. Seems like Toronto is finally waking up to the talent the city holds.

    Comment by Jesse — July 17, 2010 @ 8:24 pm

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