Rising Voice: m&i on Finding Her Sound and Honoring Her Roots

All artists can remember the moment the spark of inspiration comes to pursue music. For m&i, it happened when she was just four or five years old, sitting in front of the “big back” TV in her family’s living room watching the gospel channel. 

“I remember bobbing my head and trying to follow the words on the gospel channel,” she shares. “This is not to say gospel music necessarily influences my music, but this was one of the canon events in my journey with music”. 

From those early encounters, m&i became a devoted music listener, turning to different genres to soundtrack different moods, phases, and chapters of her life. Her true turning point came years later, unexpectedly through television.

m&i started the show Nashville, the drama about country singers in Tennessee. 

“I fell in love with the show’s portrayal of the writing process as a means to channel your energy and emotions, a process of release. That was definitely the catalyst for me to start writing my own music,” she shares.

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A Listener Turned Creator

Unlike many in the industry, m&i doesn’t have a musical background. Instead, she came of age as a curator and consumer of music, soaking up sounds from across the globe.

Her playlists span R&B, rap, jazz, blues, and even bongo flava, reflecting her appreciation for both rhythm and storytelling. But for m&i, this isn’t just about taste – it’s about a vision.

“My appreciation for the richness and versatility of music is definitely a draw to pursuing it as a career,” she shares. “I see how much freedom of expression there is, and I want to explore how I can contribute to the rich tapestry.”

One of the ways she hopes to leave her mark in her future music is through incorporating taarab, a traditional style native to her home country of Tanzania. By weaving taarab’s melodic textures into her music, this will be a perfect nod to her rich roots. 

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A Voice of Her Own

When asked what makes her music unique, m&i doesn’t hesitate to ground her answer in simplicity.

“I don’t think I’m reinventing anything with my music,” she admits. “But it’s unique because it’s my voice and my words.”

It’s an outlook that reflects humility, but also confidence – an understanding that authenticity itself is artistry. For m&i, it’s about telling stories in her own way, drawing a deep love of sound.

And as she continues to grow her catalogue, one thing is clear: m&i’s journey is only just beginning. 

Join The Melody Match Community

Inspired by m&i’s journey? At Melody Match, we’re building more than just a marketplace, we’re creating a home for artists, producers, and studio owners to connect, collaborate, and grow.

Right now, we’re in the process of developing our online platform, where you’ll be able to discover and book the best recording studios but also connect with rising creatives like m&i through exclusive features, community events, and behind-the-scenes stories.