Music by Kiamani

I was reading an article the other day about the reasons “artist” choose to create.  It was very “status quo” and gave references to the already known reasons some may choose to be an artist.  

Fame.

Money.

And fame again.

It didn't leave room for independent reasons that may not fit in the industry box.  Its a topic that hits home for me and I felt led to write about it.

I have been on this journey for quite a while.

From the mouth of my mother, I was singing at the tender of age of three, reciting the lyrics of the Atlanta naive, Dorothy Norwood.  Her jam, “Rough Side of the Mountain,” was released in October of 1983.  Surprisingly, I can still hear the song in my head after all those years.  I wonder how often my mother played it, for it was also told that I was “forbidden” to sing it by my father, not long after I learned the lyrics.  

Maybe my three year old pipes were out of tune.  Who knows!

This interesting find led me to understand why I starting singing in choirs.  I sang from the second grade on to high school.  When my family moved to Atlanta, I was no longer able to get into the choirs and decided to write poetry and articles in the school newspaper and yearbook.  

During my graduation year, I heard about American Idol coming to Atlanta and that put me in a different head space.  I mean, if I auditioned and won, that would have changed the trajectory of my life.  While I didn't get to the final steps, I did meet some good people from Florida that I kept up with regularly after that time.  

But I didn't stop there.

I sang backup and did “hooks” for individual artist that I met throughout the years.  I was also the praise leader and choir director for the churches I attended for many years.  

Yet, I was still only making music within the box that was provided.  

And none of these learning experiences were paid.  And I began to wonder if my gift would ever make room for me.

While I am not complaining, I was taken aback every time I wanted to go out on my own to sing.

This push back came from many people who were close to me including church and family members.

I started to believe the only way I would do my own thing was if God came down and set the path in front of me.

This lead me to spiral a bit.

• I didn't want to create.
• I didn't want to praise.
• I choose to work without distractions.

But those who know, know, that when God isn't finish with you, you can't hide for very long.

You see, each year, I put down the pen, I picked up other “creative opportunities” that failed.

And they failed badly.

Each business venture, each book, each recipe, they all folded, with no capital gains.

I sat with debt and in a whole lot of frustration.

Because why can't I be successfully creative in other areas?  Why am I finding loss in all of these entrepreneurship avenues?

These gifts that we have also come with major responsibility.

Yeah, they are gifts, but could be seen as curses if we don't understand why we have them to begin with.

I sat in silence one faithful day and decided to really seek God on why I've been singing since I was three.

I read Psalms, Corinthians, and other good books and came across a scripture that gave me peace.

Psalms 56: 16 says, 

"But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress,

my refuge in times of trouble."

Now there are other scriptures in Psalms that speak on singing, but this one stuck.

Here I am trying to run from my problems, trying to hide my gift because I don't know how to share it in the way I know is possible, and the God says, “Sing of my strength, for I got you in your times of need.”

Like, really?

All I have to do is sing.

Just sing.

It doesn't matter who hears.

It doesn't matter who receives it.

Just sing.

Because God enjoys when I do and it shows my love for Him.

And ya'll while fame is important and riches are important, I can honestly say, I'm just meant to sing.  I meant to create.  I am meant to write.  And all of this will make room for me.  

Why?

Because God said so.

And that is really all that matters.

So in reference to the article that only provided fame and money as the determining factor that pushes people to become artist, some of us have a deeper reason.  

Some of us do it for God. Period.

If some of my banter makes you want to read more, check out some of my other articles and leave a message. Feel free to check out my music page as well.  I'd love to connect!

XOXO,

KIAMANI from @MusicbyKiamani

Why People Seek God's Presence

In a world filled with noise and chaos, some of us are looking for ease.  

Some of of us are looking for peace. 

Some of us are looking for something, anything that will bring hope.  

What if the key to peace, purpose, and provision was simply staying (or getting ) in God's presence?

Not just seeking God's hand, but also seeking God's heart.

God's Presence Meets Our Deepest Needs

When you are going through tough times, its always easier to have someone to talk to.

We thrive when we speak about our pains and distress with those we care about,

in hopes of gaining a little bit of relief.

But what if your closest friend is not available when you need them?  

What if the load you are carrying is too heavy for you or your friends?

This is where knowing God personally can be helpful to you.

God is there when no one else is around.

God listens with open ears and provides divine wisdom for your comfort.

In Psalms 34:17-18, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

he delivers them from all their troubles. (18) The Lord is close to the Brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

It is important to get to know God for His character instead of seeing God for only 

the things you desire.  

If you seek God, you will find that your emotional healing and spiritual growth 

will be right there, waiting for you.

Staying For Who He is, Not just What He Gives

Have you ever met someone who would only come around when you are 

at your best?  They always come around when you were having a party or 

when you were at your highest, but the moment life gets tough, they disappear?

What if that same idea is thought by God when we only reach out or pray when 

times are hard?

In John 15: 4-5, it states, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you.  No branch can

bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you

remain in me.  (5) I am the vine, you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you,

you will bear much fruit.  Apart from me, you can do nothing."

This scripture is so important.  

In my earlier years, I saw God as a vending machine.  I would pray and ask for a thing

and once I got the thing, I'd be thankful, but that's where the connection ended.

I wasn't seeking God daily.

I wasn't learning about God's character weekly besides Sunday church services.

And I wasn't making a conscious decision to be in God's face on a regular basis.

Learning how to abide in Christ was the true turning point towards having

a great personal relationship with God.  

I was able to grow in spiritual intimacy and learn about God's quirks and handiwork.

God is your friend, your counselor, your provider, your faithful Father. 

Practical Ways to Stay in God's Presence

If you are looking for ways to upgrade your current spiritual daily routine, try a few

of these steps to increase your connection with God.

1. Create daily quiet time
2. Start a conversation with God through prayer
3. Find opportunities to express gratitude
4. Look for moments where you can worship God
5. Listen to God's voice in everyday life
6. Find godly community

While this may be easy to write, its not always easy to attain in real life.

You are busy.  

You have a family that you are taking care of.  

You have disabilities that you live with.

You are trying to just be. 

And I completely understand.

We are all on a mission to find the best way to live, to work, to have joy and beyond, 

so taking time to create a personal relationship with God, may feel stressful.

But don't let this stress you out.

No.

God will meet you where you are.

If you are looking for godly friends, you will meet good people in the grocery store check-out line.

If you are searching for God's voice, you will hear the faith sounds of God through nature.

If you are looking to worship God, but you are always busy, one day you will turn on the radio

while in traffic and have an awesome worship experience.

If you are truly seeking God, God is seeking you.

Closing Encouragement: The Rewards of Remaining

God's presence in your life, will change everything.

Walking with God daily, will allow you to learn about God's character and promises, 

all while teaching you to trust God's plan for your life.  

Find joy and peace while you wait on God's hand to move on your life.

Be Encouraged!

“Fighting for Love” tells a story that most may not want to be vulnerable about.  

It speaks on the emotions that creep up when we want to be loved in a powerful way.

It explores how want and desire can make you feel like you are beginning to fall short of God's glory.  

I know a thing or two about the pursuit of love.

I remember how I felt in my early twenties trying to get my first love to stay.

To see me.

And no matter what I did, no matter what I said, I was never seen the way God wanted me to be seen.

That love never exposed me to the love God wanted me to experience.

And it took time and healing, before I even wanted to look at God again.

I felt let down.

I felt alone.

But God will never leave you nor forsake you.

God will be there to lift you up when you are at your lowest.

God will wipe your tears when all you can do is cry.

“Fighting for Love” is a testament to the struggle we face everyday when earthly love and 

God's love aren't one and the same.

“Fighting for Love” is available now on all major platforms.  Listen HERE.

Slowing down and taking my time has been a challenging thing for me.  

I have been known to do multiple things at the same time expecting the results to occur in the blink of an eye, but this has always caused me distress.  I started slowing down more after I was hit in a car accident.  

This experience caused me to be on bed rest for months.  But even though my body was slowing down to heal, my mind was racing.  I would find myself looking and searching for ways to expedite my healing process, only to cause that time to extend because I wasn't allowing myself to rest.  

And then the light went off.  

I realized the only way for me to truly get healed was for me to surrender to the process and learn to find the light in the middle of the tunnel, instead of looking for the end to occur sooner.  This idea was very instrumental in the creation of Don't Rush It.  Rushing doesn't give clarity, but being intentional about:

your growth, 

your healing, 

and your manifestations 

will help you elevate to a new level.   

Check out “Don't Rush It” and PRE-SAVE before its released Jan 2025.

XoXo,  KIAMANI

Hi all,

I'm excited to be in this space creating.  I have been a creative for many years including the creation of the podcast:  The Adult Bedtime Stories for the Creative Soul Podcast, but I have never ventured out on my own with such a massive singing project.  

I have many years singing with local churches, being back up for a contemporary gospel artist and writing songs and hooks for artist, therefore I was stoked for the chance to get out here as an indie artist and support the cause.

I'm gritty with a heart of gold and while my music reflects that, I hope the music community can welcome me with open arms as I support their causes as well.  

I get the grind, I understand being unseen and I am here to use my voice to be an inspiration to those who been told they'll never be heard.  

Get out here and create.  

We are all waiting on your story, I know I am!

Kiamani