Just when we needed a new song to dance around our kitchen to, iLana Armida delivered!
Out today, "UMAMI MAMI" is a sexy pop track with hints of Cuban influence. Not only did iLana deliver her killer sound to this song, but she also helped produce it. Check out the highly anticipated music video below. She will be going live on Instagram today (@ilanaarmida) starting at 4:30pm PST with friends including Alex Kinsey, John K. and NBC Chicago Fire’s Miranda Rae Mayo. Be sure to tune in - we'll be there!
We had the chance to sit down with iLana and learn all about the up-and-coming star and her secret influence behind "UMAMI MAMI." Check out the full interview below.
We see you began your music journey at a young age but did not commit to finding your sound until college. What during that time made you decide that you would ultimately dive into the music industry?
I always knew I wanted to be an artist and to perform on stages around the world but I knew nothing about the business and technical side of the industry. I grew up watching MTV and BET and heard so many stories about artists getting screwed by signing sh*tty contracts (TLC, Backstreet Boys, etc.) and I wanted to prevent that from happening to me. I also explored a lot of different creative outlets growing up (dance, theatre, writing) and it took until I was on my own to figure out how to incorporate all of that into me being an artist.
What is it like not only creating your own music but also being a producer on the tracks? Does it ever get difficult to do both?
I am so lucky to be around so many incredible producers and writers and I really have learned so much from my peers. Collaborating on production is always so much fun especially when the producer running the session and I are on the same page.
You have been compared to pop music icons like JoJo and Christina Milian. Is that how you see yourself and your music?
I LOVE them! Both such creative and powerful women. I didn’t necessarily set out to make music like them but I am definitely influenced by them as a singer/performer.
What is one thing you want your fans to know about you?
I want people to know that my intentions behind creating and performing are exclusively to spread love and bring people together and everything I put out comes from a genuine place no matter how light-hearted or deeply personally it might be.
That's awesome! Speaking of, your new song, "UMAMI MAMI" is highly-anticipated. What was your inspiration behind this track?
Well...the song is a play on words involving sushi… I think I will keep the inspiration for this one to myself for my parents' sake.
You co-produced this single with Grant Slayer and Alex Kinsey. The world knows Alex from his huge X-Factor win! What was it like working with him?
I wrote 3 songs on Alex’s most recent EP “Party of One” and he has written on a few of my singles as well. He’s so talented and we write very well together. He also makes a little cameo in the video!
Can you give us an exclusive bit about your EP coming later in 2020?
I am so excited for this project. It has been 6 years since I put together a complete body of work and I am really proud of what we have been writing. I am a dancer and love creating and performing songs that are fun to dance to so you can anticipate some up-tempo bops!
We are SO ready for iLana to drop more music, and if it's anything like "UMAMI MAMI" or her recent hit "High No More," everyone will know her name. Until then, we will be playing "UMAMI MAMI" on repeat! To keep up with iLana follow her on Instagram @ilanaarmida and Spotify.
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