Meet Jayla Smalls | Music Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jayla Smalls and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jayla, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued a creative career because art is all I know. Whether it’s visual or performing arts related, the way I am able to express myself through colors, sounds, and emotion is the highlight of my passion. To be a creative takes a lot of courage, vulnerability, and transparency. It what makes me feel like the purpose of humanity is. To express ourselves through the delights of sound and looks, and that’s why I’ve been a performing artist for the past few years.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m proud of my performance resume. I started music after finding out I was a Type 1 diabetic in 2015. From the music I created when I first started to the music I make now it’s so much more expressive and transparent. The journey was not easy though, it took a lot of trial and error. I had to do the research in knowing myself, my likes and dislikes, and what the brand “Indigo” truly is. I had to learn to get out of my comfort zone. No artist in this world became successful by being comfortable. When the world sees IndigoYaj or INDIGO I want them to know my brand and story as an evolution of rebellion. That I’m one of the artists who beat the odds of being a mainstream artist, I make music for the people who feel what I feel.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As an “ATLien” now since I’ve been down in Georgia I’d bring my best friend here because the choices are endless to go somewhere with good food and good vibes. The first place to check out is always the breakfast/brunch spots. My favorites so far are Snooze, Atlanta Breakfast Club, and Toast on Lennox. Depending on the season and weather the Atlanta Botanical Garden is such an amazing place to just take in some pretty colors and Mother Nature’s creation: flowers. If you’re an animal person the Aquarium is always my favorite place to go. I love oceanic animals especially sea turtles and manta rays. My third place to hang out is the High Museum of Art. Every 3rd Friday of the month they’ll have Jazz nights and it’s real cute and classy. There’s never a dull moment in Atlanta from the food spots to the entertainment.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout to my village. The people who have poured into me financially, emotionally, and physically to help push my passion out into the world. Another shoutout is to my mother who never lets me give up on myself. Even when she thinks my ideas are crazy and out of this world, she lets me continue to be me no matter what.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indigoyaj/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/indigoyaj

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0ilctIdo4t1dmwSaszbOw

Image Credits
Zyaire Brownlee