Today we’d like to introduce you to Aida Ade.
Hi Aida, We are so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Music has always been a part of my story. I was first raised in North St. Louis City as the daughter of a singer, the niece of instrumentalists and music collectors, and the granddaughter of a jazz pianist. At age 8, after leaving the four-family flat in the city I called home, I found a passion for music in violin and viola. I had behavior issues in school, but after seeing music, I was able to mellow out and regulate. Since then, I have been all music, all the time. Even though I was in love with classical violin and viola, I have always wanted to sing. I was so shy as a kid that I did not even sing in front of my mother. When I bought a guitar in my junior year of college and got my heart broken that same year, I started singing and writing music. The first song I wrote was “Liar,” it was my way of processing my grief from losing the relationship. Then, I found my most profound inspiration: my home. While still away at college, I wrote a song about St. Louis called “Home.” After graduating college in 2016, I returned to my childhood home and wrote hundreds of songs. I started recording my songs when I met my producer, Blaze, in late 2016. His sister started managing me, and thus, Aida Ade was born. I released two EPs – Soundwheel and Blue. In 2018, right after releasing Blue, I took a 3-year break from music after losing my aunt in early 2018. In 2021, I reconnected with Blaze, and we released a project called “Love, Aida.” I found myself grieving again and took yet another break from music until September 2023, when I got a message from Mvstermind about Mvstercamp. I was so torn on participating because I had fallen into the groove of having a 9-5 job as a therapist. I was afraid to take time off work for the camp, but I pushed myself to do it. Because of Mvstercamp, I have returned to the music scene – creating, curating, and performing. I’m planning the January 26, 2024, release of my newest project, “The Unbreakable Aida Ade,” which is a testament to everything I’ve worked through to get back to this point. Without people like Blaze, Mvstermind, my mom, my big brother, and my husband pushing me to take control of my dream, I would not be jumping back into music.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest struggles I’ve had along the way is the loss of my Auntie Linda. I was raised in a four-family flat by my mom and three of her sisters – Auntie Phyllis, Auntie Marie, and Auntie Linda. I call them my “mom” ties. When Auntie Linda passed in January 2018, it happened a week and a half before releasing the EP Blue. She has been one of my biggest supporters and closest people since I was a little girl. She was at shows and would tell my mama, “Let that girl make her noise,” when I would be loud in the basement. After losing her on the day I performed on Fox 2 News, the music felt foreign. I couldn’t write. I didn’t feel like me anymore. I fell into depression and stopped believing in my talent and myself. I’ve worked through that grief and have allowed myself to love music again with the understanding that my Auntie Linda continues to live through our shared love of music.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a singer/songwriter with a love for all genres of music. I am a classically trained violist with a hip-hop head brother, an eclectic, soul music-loving mother, a drummer, a rock-loving stepfather, and an overall musical family. All the sounds that created Aida, the person, have merged to create Aida, the artist. I pull from so many genres. With a unique set of strong, soulful, smoky, raspy vocals, I have been blessed enough to draw crowds and stop the chatter in a room with my voice.
Networking and finding a mentor can positively impact one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding a mentor is significant. If you are looking for people like you, be yourself. Whenever I search for community, I have always been successful when I have authentically been myself. It has never worked well when I have tried to be someone or something else.
Contact Info:
- Website: AidaAde.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aida__ade/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aidasings314/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AidaAde
- Other: https://linkr.bio/aidaade
