Inaya Day, a powerhouse in the house music scene and a member of the Grammys Recording Academy and Billboard's Greatest of All Time Top Dance Club Artists, shines again with her latest release, "My Strength." Teaming up with NYC's esteemed music collective 45 Riots, this Afro-house anthem is a testament to perseverance and empowerment, blending Day’s rich, soulful voice with the vibrant, live instrumentation that 45 Riots is known for. Produced by Grammy-winning organist Ondrej Pivec, whose resume includes work with jazz great Gregory Porter, the track pulses with dynamic energy, featuring live percussion, a four-piece horn section, and bass recorded by 45 Riots founder Adam Mason. Capturing both the resilience and gratitude that have marked her legendary career, Inaya infuses "My Strength" with a powerful authenticity. From her gospel beginnings in Brooklyn to global chart success with hits like "Keep Pushin'," "Hold Your Head Up High," and "Horny," Inaya has solidified her place in music history. Collaborations with music icons like Michael Jackson, and Missy Elliott, and performances at storied venues like Carnegie Hall further showcase her unparalleled versatility. In our latest Five Fast Facts we talk with Day covering her career and latest release!
SJ: Hi Inaya! We’re so excited to talk about your journey and latest release!
ID: Hey, Stef. Thank you so much. I'm stoked.
1. SJ: You’ve had quite an illustrious career so far between collaborations with Michael Jackson, and Missy Elliott, being a member of the Grammys Recording Academy, and being one of Billboard's Greatest of All Time Top Dance Club Artists. What drew you to collaborate with 45 Riots?
ID: Well, I've been performing with the band for almost 11 years now, so recording seemed to be the next logical step. We started with a cover of one of my singles, "Horny," then decided to rock an original called "My Strength."
2. SJ: How do you feel your sound has progressed or evolved throughout the years?
ID: Hmm, I believe the most important progression of my sound is the depth with which I sing and my connection to the audience. As I live, learn, experience, and grow, songs evoke more emotion for me. In many cases, I feel songs more deeply now than when I recorded them. It helps that I write songs that mean something to me and, hopefully, the world. I remember when I was in my pre-teens, people would say "Woo-Weee! Just wait until your voice matures and you do some more livin'! You're gonna be amazing!" I used to be insulted because I didn't get it. But I do now.
3. SJ: What inspired your latest Afro-house track, "My Strength"?
ID: "My Strength" was inspired by the weariness-of-the-fight that I feel at times. As a woman in a business that's dominated by male DJs and musicians, I find that the fight is ongoing. The female POV is often discounted, as are our talents knowledge, and experiences. It can seem very easy to just give up and go another way. But I love House Music. Next year will be my 30th year consistently releasing chart-topping singles in the genre and I love it too much to just give it up. I love it even when it doesn't love me back. So I have to do a lot of deep digging to find My Strength to Keep Pushin'.
4. SJ: What did your songwriting and lyric process look like for this song? Did you work collaboratively with 45 Riots, or was it a more individual approach?
ID: As far as creating my part of the composition - lyrics, and melody - it was an individual approach. I wrote to a track that 45 Riots and Ondrej Pivec sent to me; well actually, a portion of a track that they sent to me. I isolated the part that spoke to me most, cut it, looped it, and recorded a demo in my little home studio. I sent it to 45 Riots, and they sorted the instrumental and mapped out a full production, and here we are.
5. SJ: What did the recording and production process look like? Did this song process differ in any way from your previous releases?
ID: Well, I'd become accustomed to receiving instrumental tracks, writing and recording to them, then sending them back to the producer to finish. But lately, I've been aiming to record with the producer in the session. That's what we did with My Strength. It's such a great feeling when the creators are able to vibe together.
SJ: What is one song you wish Inaya Day wrote?
ID: Oh, so many! But "These Three Words" by Stevie Wonder is one that immediately comes to mind. "These three words, sweet and simple. These three words, short and kind. These three words always kindle an aching heart to smile inside."
SJ: What’s next for Inaya Day? What can we look forward to?
ID: I'm trying to start including live instruments in my shows even though most times, promoters want a track show. I think I'm also going to really shift my focus back to my soulful and deep house roots and even slide over to the Neo Soul side. I've gotten back to creating more music for film and jingles for commercial ads. You can submit heaps of music before just one gets placed, but when it does, it's such an amazing feeling to hear your music while shopping, watching TV, or movie theater previews. I was watching the Grammys in 2018 and on popped the Adidas commercial with Dua Lipa singing my first ever House release, "Keep Pushin'". I cannot even explain how exciting that was.
Adidas Commercial with Dua Lipa, featuring Inaya Day's "Keep Pushin'"
Listen to "My Strength" below!
Credits:
Songwriting: Inaya Day, 45 Riots
Production: Ondrej Pivec
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