Today we’d like to introduce you to Niyah Delenn.
Niyah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hailing from Motown, I was raised in a deeply musical household, gospel and R&B flowing from my mother, rock and live instrumentation from my father. Surrounded by music from the very beginning, I developed an instinctive ear at an early age.
From singing in my car seat to serving on the praise team at church, music has always been my first love. I also grew up hearing stories about my uncles playing behind James Brown, and I often sang with one of those same uncles whenever I visited family. I was singing songs well before I could walk and learning to tie my shoes while singing along to D’Angelo’s “How Does It Feel” music video. Music comes as naturally to me as breathing- it is not just something I do; it is a major part of who I am.
From elementary school through my freshman year of university, trumpet was my principal instrument. During that time participated in jazz band, concert band, symphonic band, and women’s chorus, developing both my musicianship and my love for performance.
In late 2019, my life changed dramatically when I nearly died from COVID-19. The virus left me with irreparable damage, resulting in disability in my early twenties. On the days I could no longer walk, breathe comfortably, or care for myself, music became my lifeline. Even during my most physically challenging moments, I found strength to create. Music gave me purpose when everything else felt uncertain.
Out of that struggle, my October cover-song series on YouTube was born. My doctors were often puzzled by how I remained alive while functioning so poorly. Meanwhile, I was focused on one thing: leaving something behind if my time came. That something was music.
What began as survival became a testament to resilience, faith, and the healing power of art. Through every setback, music has carried me forward, and it remains the truest expression of who I am.
I later gained wider recognition as the featured voice on Full Crate’s smash single “No Romance,” where my lyrics and distinctive tone transformed vulnerability into something magnetic. Today, I am working toward my highly anticipated debut solo project.
In 2025 I released my debut single “Send Me My Baby”, a tender Christmas love song with emotional depth beyond the usual holiday clichés. As I continue creating, my mission remains the same: to make music that connects and heals hearts and souls long after the last note.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have experienced everything from health challenges and grief to bad contracts that almost made me fall out of love with music. I will say that, as grueling as those circumstances have been, the love I have for creating music surpasses any obstacle thrown my way.
I believe every artist knows that the business side of music is enough to make anyone rethink their career path. So, I try to always make sure that when I create, it comes from a place of love and not obligation. That ensures that any external factors do not have the opportunity to negatively impact my creative process.
Throughout my life, the theme of heartbreak has appeared in many different forms. To cope, I created music out of necessity for relief. Whether the pain was emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical, music was the catalyst that got me through it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an artist, songwriter, performer, and vocal producer. I am most proud of my transparency, coachability, and relatability. I take pride in knowing that my art is an extension of myself. When it is created honestly and openly, people have the opportunity to see themselves in my work and in my story. Having the power to create, connect, and help others feel seen—and know they are not alone—is a responsibility I do not take lightly.
I may have started by recording gospel music in my early years, but R&B will always hold my heart. I am best known for the tone and texture of my voice, which is often compared to butter or velvet, as well as for my background vocals. Over the years, I have even accepted the nickname “The Tone God.”
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was an observant child—wise beyond my years, intuitive, and quick on my feet. My family always said I was “born grown.” I was sweet and kind, but I knew how to stand my ground and was not one to tolerate disrespect.
Music was “it” for me from the very beginning. When I reflect on my childhood, I am thankful for the adults around me who recognized my natural ability for rhythmic patterns, perfect pitch, and an ear for harmonies. Those adults invested in my interest in music, which helped cultivate my passion and deepen my love for it.
As much as I enjoyed playing outside, I often debated staying indoors to listen to music, sing, and dance around my room. I never went anywhere without my CD player or MP3 player.
Animals and insects were also something I loved. As a child, I wanted to grow up to be a veterinarian..
Contact Info:
- Website: https://niyahdelenn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_trulyloved/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NiyahDelenn/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@niyahdelenn?si=w023mvuB7cq1UUR_
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/niyah-ward
- Other: https://niyahdelenn.bandcamp.com/album/send-me-my-baby-ep
