Wait, There’s More: Inayah’s Evolution as an Artist
Written by Xander Zellner on April 19, 2024
Inayah discovered her passion for singing at the age of two and penned her first song by the age of ten. While she always harbored ambitions of success, she never anticipated the magnitude of her achievements. From captivating audiences with viral covers of Ella Mai’s “Boo’d Up” to gracing the big screen alongside Tyler Perry, her journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
With her debut album Wait, There’s More, she has come full circle. Transitioning from her days at a jingle company, her talent t has caught the attention of industry heavyweights such as Tyler Perry and Jamie Foxx. Inayah tells EBONY “I think the biggest part of it all is knowing that it all comes from God, that’s first and foremost. It’s all been the biggest blessing that I could ever dream of. I’ve always known that I’d be in this position, but I just never really knew how it would come about.”
In addition to her music career, Inayah has found success in acting with a recurring role as Trina on the BET+ show Ms. Pat Show after the comedian reached out to her via DM after discovering her through viral videos. Initially hesitant, Inayah considered passing on the opportunity, but she decided to embrace the chance to showcase her talent on screen. “She said, ‘Hey, I got this show that I think you will be a great addition to’ and I initially wasn’t going to be a part of it. I initially was going to turn it down.”
Maintaining relationships is paramount in the entertainment industry, and Inayah acknowledges Ms. Pat’s pivotal role in her career trajectory. Inayah credits Ms. Pat for her introduction to Tyler Perry, which ultimately led to the opportunity to collaborate with the esteemed filmmaker. “She told him, I got this girl and she’s really good who can sing and she’s funny too. I think you should consider her for your next movie and sure enough, he took our word for it. I was on a plane the following week.”
In discussing the inspiration behind her project Wait, There’s More, Inayah reflects on her journey of rediscovery as an artist. Following her previous project, she embarked on a personal postpartum journey after welcoming her second son. With Wait, There’s More, she aimed to reconnect with her artistic essence and reclaim her confidence, delving back into her creative prowess with renewed energy.
“I chose that name because it’s like, Wait there’s still so much more to me. I still have so much more to offer. I still have so many things to think about and so much to write about. There’s so much more so that’s why I fell in love with Wait, There’s More just sounds so necessary to where I am in my life and my artistry. So I got back into studio confidence on 1000, back in my bag, the pen was on fire.” She says.
Navigating the entertainment industry can be challenging, but Inayah emphasizes the importance of authenticity. Reflecting on her own experiences, she recalls struggling with confidence as a teenage girl and feeling the urge to reinvent herself to fit in and be accepted.
“Who I am in my adult life, I just want to hug the younger me so bad, just so I can tell her Hey, you’ve always been enough. You have always been that girl, you ain’t never need nobody else’s approval. I’m standing on that so tough now as an adult and in my artistry that nobody else can waver this confidence that I have in myself and my music.”
