Imani-J is a singer-songwriter hailing from Nelson/Whakatū, with a captivating blend of Indie-pop, R&B and Soul. Her music is characterised by introspective lyrics and emotive melodies. Drawing inspiration from Jorja Smith, Arlo Parks, Kehlani and Tems, Imani-J infuses a unique style into her soulful compositions.
From a young age Imani-J displayed a passion for music, songwriting and performing. Joining primary school kapa haka, choir and rock band she gained valuable collaboration and performance experiences. Her dedication and talent were quickly recognized when she began sharing her own songs, winning the National Solo/Duo title for Smokefree Tangata Beats age 12 with a waiata reo.
Imani-J is a multi-instrumentalist on vocals, guitar, keys, and a prolific lyricist and composer. Singing in English, Te Reo Māori and French she showcases her linguistic versatility in her artistry. Imani-J has worked with notable NZ producers Edward Liu (EDY), MC Tali and Christian Tjandrawinata, and recorded at Parachute Studios and Big Fan. Her versatility is notable also through her other projects including JOLA BURNS the pop-electronic duo with musician/producer cousin Kahu SB, and multiple songwriting collabs with other artists.
Imani-J is a 5x National Finalist for Play It Strange as well as a 4x National Finalist for Smokefree Rockquest, Bandquest and Tangata Beats. As an emerging solo artist Imani-J is currently recording her debut EP, and has goals to tour and perform nationally and delve into music production. With her talent and dedication she is poised to make a significant impact on the NZ and global music scene.
Photos by Melissa Banks Photography
