Ajanee
Life and career
Ajanee Hambrick, (born March 22, 1991) known mononymously as, Ajanee is an American singer, songwriter, vocal arranger, background vocalist, fashionista, and poet. Ajanee is currently a background vocalist for the R&B singer, H.E.R. Ajanee began her career with the release of, LIVRE’s, Jericho album, which went Number 1 on the Gospel Billboard Charts. In February of 2017, Ajanee (of LIVRE) received four nominations for the 32nd Annual Stellar Awards. Ajanee has also sang background or additional vocals for, Daniel Caesar, Tyrese, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Patti Labelle, A$AP Ferg, Justine Skye, Elle Varner, Darlene Love, Erica Campbell, Milton Vann, Jermaine Paul, Neshama Carlebach, and Leon Robinson. While on tour with H.E.R., Ajanee has been creating music, meeting producers, writers and working on her own debut album.
Early life
Ajanee was born on March 22, 1991 in the Bronx, New York. Ajanee grew up in church the majority of her life. Her grandfather, Clyde Hambrick was the pastor of Green Pasture Baptist Church in the Bronx and her father, Roger Hambrick is the presiding pastor. Ajanee says, “Church is where I learned about everything. Love, hate, courage, fear, music, art and most importantly about Jesus. Church shaped my view of the world and has a huge influence on my life in how I conduct my space and energy. We all learn how to live life from a certain source and we even change that source if we see it isn’t beneficial or a healthy lifestyle.” Ajanee goes on to say, “Although church has been greatly beneficial. Church also taught me survival. No group of people are perfect. No person is perfect. Growing up, I experienced a lot of hurt in church. But hurt is not limited to one place. Or only people raised in church. Pain is experienced everywhere. Pain has a way of strengthening our endurance and shaping our character. So growing up in church taught me so much and I don’t regret one moment of it.”
Career beginnings
After performing on, Hal Jackson’s Harlem’s Talented Teens and the Gospel Music Workshop of America Eastern Chapter for two years, Ajanee was fifteen and determined to go on tour with Alicia Keys. She convinced her father to take her after school to MBK for an audition. “They told me I was talented but too young to go on tour. I had no idea years later I would be signed by MBK.” Ajanee’s father invited Jeff and Conrad Robinson to a service at Green Pasture to hear a talented group of young people. When the church service ended Ajanee, Richard Tolbert, Charlie Tolbert, Kenneth Williams, Ariel Malloy, Bria McDaniel, Andre Plasket, Gene Tolbert, Darius Woodley, and Guy Jenkins walked outside to a record deal. Shocked and inspired they began working on their album. The process took seven years to create as they cultivated their unique sound and each of them grew as artist.
Upon release of Jericho the album went Number 1 on the Gospel Billboard Charts. “The album was named after The Bible story, it depicted exactly what we went through as artist. The process took much longer than we expected, just like getting to Jericho took much longer in the Biblical story. We began growing apart having different tastes in music having different desires as far as where we all believed our talents were most effective.” A few months after the album was released, LIVRE broke up. Ajanee decided she needed a steady income in order to support her career as an artist. She worked as a care coordinator for the homeless. After an almost fatal car accident and losing her job during her recovery, Ajanee decided she needed to chase her dreams. She was still looking for a job when she reconnected with H.E.R. who was about to embark on her first tour with, Bryson Tiller. Ajanee says, “I literally texted her and told her I’m still looking for a job but I want to do what I love. So, if she needed a vocalist to please let me know. And I’ve been touring with her since 2017. Jeff Robinson had hired, Malik Spence (LEEK) and I to sing background for H.E.R. when she was just 10 years old. So, we already had a bond. It just made sense to be supportive of her future endeavors.” While on tour Ajanee has been creating music, meeting producers, writers and working on her own debut album.
Artistry
Music producer, Dami “Mr. Damention” handled production on what is scheduled to be Ajanee’s first solo release. Reflecting on the experience Ajanee said, “This was our first time creating together. Dami builds the music around my ideas which provides unlimited creative potential. I write comfortably to no music and these sessions with Dami reminded me of that. The majority of the vocals on that song were the reference vocals I had already created before the track was even recorded. I tried to redo the vocals but nothing sounded as good as the reference. It showed me how special this song was which is why it’s the first song I want to release. .” The result of their work was the single, “Jumpin Waves”. Musical style and voice
Ajanee’s sound is innovative, mature and vibrant. She has an amazing gift of vocal harmonization and aptitude. Ajanee list her parents as the most influential people in her life. “I am probably closest to my mother. I admire my mom. She’s one of the strongest people I know. She endures pain and has taught me to be strong.” Ajanee’s father taught her how to write and arrange music. “My father influenced how I hear music. I toured Japan with my parents at 13 for two weeks away from school. My mind was more focused on music and art. I think they have definitely shaped me as an artist.” Ajanee has also done extensive vocal training with, Conrad Robinson. Ajanee has taken her hand at vocal training and provides private lessons to various clients while not on the road.
Jeff Robinson founder of MBK managed, LIVRE along with Roger Hambrick, Clarissa Robinson and Conrad Robinson. Jeff Robinson has also worked with, H.E.R., Alicia Keys, Elle Varner, Tyrese Gibson, Brandy Norwood, K Michelle, Justine Skye, Jermaine Paul, and more.
Ajanee is a background vocalist for H.E.R. She has also sang background or additional vocals for Daniel Caesar, Tyrese, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Patti Labelle, Asap Ferg, Justine Skye, Elle Varner, Darlene Love, Erica Campbell, Milton Vann, Jermaine Paul, Neshama Carlebach, and Leon Robinson.
Influences
Destiny’s Child and 3LW. Ajanee lists, Beyonce as a huge influence. “I know every riff and line from The Fighting Temptations. Beyonce captures your eye with every move she makes.”
Discography
LIVRE - Jericho Background vocalist: H.E.R. Background or additional vocals for Daniel Caesar, Pharrel Williams (The Today Show, Harry Connick Jr. Show), Kim Burrell, Tyrese, Alicia Keys (“How It Feels To Fly”), Mariah Carey (“Heavenly”), Asap Ferg, Jericho, Justine Skye, Elle Varner, Erica Campbell, Neshama Carlebach, Milton Vann, Jermaine Paul, Darlene Love, Patti Labelle, and Leon Robinson.
Tours
Background vocalist for H.E.R. on the following tours:
“HeartBreak On A Full Moon Tour 2018”
“Lights On tour Europe 2018’
“Lights On tour Australia 2018”
“Set It Off Tour 2017”
Filmography
BET AWARDS 2018
Awards and nominations
In February of 2017, Ajanee Hambrick (of LIVRE) received four nominations nominations for the 32nd Annual Stellar Awards in the following categories;
Song of the Year
Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year
Contemporary Group / Duo of the Year
Group / Duo of the Year
External Links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNzzt2XvDWE
https://m.soundcloud.com/ajanee-hambrick
https://m.soundcloud.com/ajanee-hambrick/ajanee-titanium-x-ready-aim-feat-alectric-mayhem-band
https://m.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=Rtd0mvJGh88
http://m.zimbio.com/photos/Ajanee+Hambrick
http://www.mbkentertainment.com/ajanee-hambrick-children-of-the-love-cover/
http://gospelcentric.net/site/tag/ajanee-hambrick/
http://be-brave-blog.tumblr.com/post/140427869700/ajanee-hambrick/amp
https://www.ascap.com/news-events/articles/2017/02/stellar-awards-noms
References[edit]
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