“There is no doubt in my mind Imani-J is set to be one of the great New Zealand talents of our generation. She has an incredible voice, beautiful lyrics, at the age of 16 has already tackled many different musical genres and has a style that is truly her own. Imani-J's talent is undeniable and it is a privilege to watch her musical journey unfold. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her”.
Stephanie Brown - CEO Play It Strange 2024
16-year-old singer-songwriter Imani-J, from Nelson/Whakatū, has released her new R&B single ‘Blind’ in collaboration with Play It Strange and Producer EDY. In Alyahna’s words, the song is about “how we are currently living in a world full of violence, hardship and suffering. Blind is about how some people choose to turn a blind eye to this because it’s easier to pretend not to see it. I want this song to get people thinking and reflecting and I really hope they choose to not be blind”.
Imani-J is known for her captivating blend of indie pop, R&B and soul music that is characterised by introspective lyrics and beautiful emotive melodies. Drawing inspiration from Jorja Smith, Arlo Parks, Kehlani and Tems, Imani-J infuses a unique style into her soulful heartfelt compositions.
Performing since age 12 and singing in English, Te Reo Māori and French, Imani-J has been a repeat national finalist for Play It Strange, Smokefree Rockquest, Bandquest and Tangata Beats. Imani-J has played a number of shows this year and has a string of summer dates on both her solo project and also as a pop-electronic duo JOLA BURNS.
As an emerging solo artist Imani-J is currently recording her debut EP set for release in 2025. With her talent and dedication she is poised to make a significant impact on the NZ and global music scene.