Face the Music: Imani-J

At just 17 years old, Imani-J is already making waves far beyond her hometown of Nelson. With Haitian and Kiwi roots, and a voice that moves easily between English, Te Reo Māori and French, she’s carved out her unique sound blending R&B and Afrobeats. Last month she released her debut EP EXPECTATIONS and is currently working on her second EP in London. 

We caught up with Imani-J to talk about her journey so far, the cultures that shape her artistry, and her advice for young people starting out in music.

You started music at a very young age, and you've had an incredibly busy year. How did you get from those first steps into music to where you are now? What’s happening for you at the moment?

Right from a really young age, I was super involved in Kapa Haka, school choirs, and school bands. From there, I moved on to competitions like Smokefree Rockquest, Smokefree Tangata Beats, and Play It Strange. Those competitions opened so many doors for me, and I wouldn't be where I am today without them!

At the beginning of 2025, I signed to a Kiwi-run, UK-based indie label, and the last six months have truly been a whirlwind releasing my debut EP with them. I also won a scholarship to a songwriting camp in Seattle, which I attended in July. I then went to LA for some writing sessions. I've done two international shows, and I'm currently in London working on my second EP!!! As cringy as it sounds, this year has really shown me that anything is possible.

Your debut EP EXPECTATIONS dropped on September 4. What’s it like to have your first EP out in the world? Where does the title come from?

It feels like a huge achievement, and it's a body of work I'm really proud of! I've learnt so much throughout the process of creating it - and then also sharing it. The whole EP is about the different expectations that we put on ourselves, but also those that society puts on us. Each track explores that in a different way, but the overarching theme is ‘expectations’, so it only made sense to title it that!

You're both Haitian and Kiwi, and you perform in English, Te Reo Māori, and French. How does your culture shape you as an artist? Do some ideas or emotions feel easier to express in one language than another?

Exploring my culture has definitely shaped my music. When I first started making music I wrote a lot of indie/pop/ballads and I think that's because that's what I grew up hearing. I always felt conflicted though when people would ask me what genre artist I was because pop didn't feel like an accurate depiction and just wasn't me. After writing my first R&B inspired song I felt instantly that it resonated with me more. I then expanded to Afrobeats and created this fusion that feels like a true sonic representation of myself.

Linguistically I have also done a lot of exploring writing music in English, Te Reo Māori, and French. The language I find easiest to write with is definitely English because it's my primary language and I do that the most. One thing I love about writing in Te Reo Māori, and French is how poetic the languages are.