Naya Ali is just one of six recipients of the inaugural Black Canadian Music Awards, presented by the SOCAN Foundation. | Photo: Neil Mota
“University is a great learning experience that opens you to new horizons, different ideas and different worlds,” says Ali. | Photo: Neil Mota
Within a year, Ali’s life had changed. In 2018, she released her first single “Ra Ra,” which led to a manager and signing with Coyote Records. “When I did that, I had a confirmation that I was on the right path,” she says. “Everything just came together.”
Since then, Ali’s upward trajectory has continued. In 2020, she released the first part of her album Godspeed, with the second half to be released this year. Now she aspires to keep building her music nationally and internationally. The SOCAN award has only boosted her ambitions to do so.
“It's an honour,” says Ali of the recognition. “One of the great parts about this award is to be recognized by your peers. At the same time, it feels good that the award gives an opportunity to those who have a harder time being seen in the mainstream.” Almost equally exciting as the award, says Ali, is the boost in awareness of her work.
“The number of people who have discovered me is greater than anything that I can imagine.”
What does Ali recommend for students who are thinking about how to move their own dreams forward? Her top advice is not to be afraid to fail. “Don’t wait for everything to be perfect,” she says. “Go for it, learn and then build on what you’ve learned.”