Janayah is a New Zealand-born singer-songwriter based in Brighton, UK, whose music is driven by powerful vocals, honest storytelling and a willingness to evolve. With every release she continues to refine her sound, drawing on a wide range of influences while remaining grounded in songs that connect on an emotional level.
Before relocating to London, Janayah was already building momentum in New Zealand’s music scene. At just 16, she recorded the vocal tracks for Dancing with the Stars New Zealand and collaborated with electronic music producers Cymbol and Lauren Gin, lending her vocals to a number of officially released tracks. Eager to immerse herself in music and develop as both a songwriter and performer, she moved to London after being accepted to study Music at the BRIT School. During two years of intensive study, she developed her songwriting, musicianship and live performance while becoming part of the city’s thriving music community.
Her catalogue reflects that artistic journey. Beginning with high-energy electronic collaborations, Janayah has explored indie, rock, pop and dance influences, with each release marking another stage in her creative evolution. Rather than being confined to a single genre, she has continued to experiment and refine her sound as she has matured as both an artist and songwriter.
Her debut single Nothing To Lose (2023), a high-energy Drum & Bass collaboration with DJ Marcus Wiles, was followed by the indie-rock/soul influenced Can’t Get Enough, the stripped-back ballad Back To You and Sober, a deeply personal reflection on the turbulence of youth and the clarity that follows. Her six-track debut EP, Stepping Stones, expanded that journey further, while her 2025 indie/pop single Bad Taste – an empowering anthem about shedding bad energy and walking away from what no longer serves you – has become her most-streamed release to date.
Her latest single, Dance Till We, marks another step forward. Written in the UK and brought to life during a collaborative production session in Auckland with producer Christian Tjandrawinata, the track pairs polished contemporary pop production with a story of hope, longing and the possibility of rekindling a relationship. Rather than dwelling on what has been lost, it asks whether love is worth one more chance – wrapped inside an uplifting, feel-good anthem that lingers long after the final chorus.
Janayah’s growing profile has already seen her perform across the UK and Europe. As one of only five artists selected worldwide for the 2024 Mastercard Artist Accelerator Programme, she has performed at Ones To Watch London, the Jazz Open Festival in Stuttgart, a showcase in Berlin, Trafalgar Square during the 2024 UEFA Champions League celebrations, and the Mastercard BRIT Awards After Party at Indigo at The O2. She has also appeared on London’s iconic Piccadilly Lights and continues to build her reputation through live performances across the UK while maintaining strong creative ties with New Zealand.
Now based in Brighton (UK), Janayah continues to build on that momentum, with each new release revealing a more confident and defined artist while keeping the emotional honesty and vocal strength at the heart of her music
