Yaya Bey doesn't just do music, she's an author and an overall artist in general. A couple months ago she released her two-part project, The Many Alter-Egos of Trill’eta Brown which is filled with not just sounds and vocals, but a book & collage to accompany everything you hear. There's no one lane to put Yaya in as she's able to encompass many lanes and do so with precision and mastery. I was able to sit down with her and discuss the latest project, what it means for her audience and why she took this unorthodox approach to her art.
Blavity: Now when I was first introduced to you, it was solely as a musical artist. But after doing some research you're much more than that. Who exactly is Yaya Bey?
Yaya Bey: I'm 70 percent awkward, but besides that I write, sing and make collages. But I'm not sure if that is really who I am, I guess it's more what I do. I'm mostly just someone trying to be good and also I'm awkward.
B: I'll start with the music before I jump into the rest of this. How did you start in your musical artistry?
Yaya Bey: Funny thing is the first time I tried my hand at music, I tried to rap. I was four, it didn't make much sense. My dad is Grand Daddy I.U. so I think I just tried rapping cause it was what I saw my dad do. Obviously, I'm not a rapper, but I think being around it really pushed me to write music.
B:The Many Alter-Egos of Trill’eta Brown is your EP that you premiered on Essence. How did you hook up with them & what was that experience like for you?
Yaya Bey: I linked up with a woman named Shabazz. She got behind me and just sent my work out. Essence liked it and did a story. It was really cool. My family was super excited about it.
B: Let's jump into the music. The Many Alter-Egos of Trill'Eta Brown is a pretty loaded title and even in the music, there's a lot going on. What was the inspiration behind the project?
Yaya Bey:The Many Alter-Egos of Trill'etta Brown, it's a two part project. The first part is a book. It's an biomythography after Audre Lorde. Well it's kinda like a literary collage that's accompanied by digital collages. The goal is to advocate for black girls in a way that tells a complete story. We have to take charge of the narrative, we can't allow ourselves to be painted as these monolithic beings anymore. And that's where the Alter-egos come in. It's like look at all the women I can be and have been all at once sometimes because I'm dynamic, because black women are dynamic. I wanted to tell that story in a book with collage work but also with music. I guess the EP is kinda like a score for the book. It's the part two, all the songs are named after chapters or characters in the book. The music is like closure for the book that takes you on this very dramatic journey.
B: There are a lot of different sounds and vibes on this EP. Who crafted the sounds and how were you able to handle covering so many artistic angles while still making a focused project?
Yaya Bey: Most of the songs are either composed or produced by Ajene, he's my partner and my collaborator. There's also a few sounds on the project from Nate Jarvis. The three of us are actually roommates and play together in a band sometimes called, Gully Waters. It's really clutch living with folks you collaborate with. The music is based on the narratives in the book so I just let the trajectory of the book dictate the trajectory of the EP.
B: When people are finished listening to The Many Alter-Egos what do you want the listener to take away from the project?
Yaya Bey: Honestly the answer to that probably changes a bit day-by-day. The most consistent thing is healing and inspiration. After you make the art and put it out in the world, it may not be your business what folks take away from it. I do hope that there is healing in the work, but right now it's out there and I have to just trust.
B: A bit off topic but SoundCloud is a platform many artists use to jumpstart their careers how were able to use Soundcloud to build your fanbase?
Yaya Bey: For me, SoundCloud has been simply a way to share. I don't really know if I have a fanbase but I do have some supporters on SoundCloud and I really appreciate that.
B: The EP is just one part of the story you're trying to tell. A book and collage is also a part of this, how did you choose these mediums to convey your story?
Yaya Bey: It took two years to finish this project because it was so much work. I didn't think about all the work going in, I just wanted a project you could see hear and feel. I've been writing and making music for a while, the collage thing is new. When I started I wasn't in the best place and needed a new way to work through my rough patches. It started as a way to heal myself and then I started sharing it.
B: For most artists just getting one form of art heard or consumed is hard enough but you were able to combine three vastly different forms of art, promote your brand and get your product into the hands of others. Any tips for those looking to do what you're doing?
Yaya Bey: I'm still figuring things out myself, but I do think it's really important to believe in your work and have faith. You can manifest so many things for yourself if you believe you can.
B: I know you're still dealing with The Many Alter-Egos, but I have to ask, what's next for you? Will we be seeing a sequel with a movie, app and virtual reality experience in a couple years?
Yaya Bey: Actually I'm working on another album right now hoping to have it out by summer 2017!
Get up close and personal with Yaya Bey.
