Today we’d like to introduce you to Javi¥a
Hi JAVI¥A, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Javiya Minor. I’m known professionally as JAVI¥A, an American singer, producer and songwriter. I was born to Cherez Herrera-Hudson, in East Paloalto, CA and raised in Memphis, TN. I began singing in pulpits at age two and have been writing songs since age nine. My music is characterized by a dense palette of musical styles. Having studied and performed classical, jazz, gospel, soul, rock, r&b, and pop music over the course of my middle, high school, and college careers at performing arts schools including Colonial Middle School, Overton High School of the Creative and Performing Arts, and later graduating from the prestigious Berklee College of Music with a bachelor’s degree in songwriting, I have become adept at creating a plethora of worlds for every mood. I offer a fresh take on popular music welding elements of acoustic and electronic sounds. This stylistic variety presents many different perspectives into my world of enigma. I identify my alternative musical style as electro-R&B and rock-soul, crediting much of my musical influence to Beyonce, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Frank Ocean, Drake, Prince, James Blake, and Radiohead just to name a few artists.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The toughest part of my journey was unlearning and ignoring the voices in my mind that aren’t my own. I often feel like I’m hearing multiple trains of thought at once and differentiating between those that are compelling me toward betterment from those that are constricting me has been arduous. However, as I continue to create art, I’m continually uncovering my truths and exploring those shared amongst the communities to which I belong.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a singer, songwriter, and producer, my duties are to assess a vibe or sentiment, construct a story to express it and create a soundscape that complements that story. I specialize in moody, ethereal, & introspective works. I’m most proud of my growth. In practice and with some refinement, I’ve gained confidence in my abilities without needing validation for them and that’s a superpower in this industry.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
As you explore your gifts publicly and as you seek knowledge you’ll naturally enter the spaces where there are others with similar motives and intentions as you or with more experience and insight than you. Being courageous enough to introduce yourself and advocate for yourself is key in networking and building leadership skillsets. Great leaders were once great students whether in institutions or the school of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Javiya
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilovejaviya/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilovejaviya/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javiya/
- Twitter: https://x.com/javiyaminor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ilovejaviya
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/javiya
