Genia, the rising R&B star, recently opened up in an engaging interview with Girls United, providing a glimpse into her journey from a reserved small-town girl to a burgeoning musical force. Her candid reflections on her upbringing, musical influences, and artistic vision reveal a determined artist committed to authenticity and genre-defying creativity.
Genia’s story begins in Victorville, California, a place she describes as a “very small town.” “I was always surrounded by music,” she recalls, crediting her parents’ love for music as a constant backdrop to her childhood. However, she also describes herself as “very to myself as a kid.” This introverted nature began to shift as she found her voice in church and school talent shows, but it was a high school talent show that proved to be a turning point. “I just remember being on that stage and loving it,” she said. “Like every nerve that I had disappeared as soon as I got up there and I started singing.” This transformative experience solidified her desire to pursue music professionally.
That moment of transformation is something that Genia holds dear. “Once I got off it was like just a rush that went through my whole body and I just remember thinking, ‘I wanna do this again and again forever.’ I didn’t want this to be a one-time thing.” she expressed.
Genia’s musical palette is as diverse as her ambitions. When asked about her formative albums, she named Prince’s “Purple Rain,” Beyoncé’s “4,” and Drake’s “Take Care.” These albums, she explained, instilled in her the importance of authenticity and artistic fearlessness. “I was so obsessed with how authentic Prince was on stage and how he was able to be vulnerable in his music,” she stated. About Beyonce she said “Seeing her process and the little documentary that she had dropped around Then just seeing how she, you know, does things as an artist as, as you know, an individual. It just really encouraged me to be like, okay, I can for sure do that.” Of Drake, “I was so heavily inspired by just hi his melodic, like the way he is on these tracks and the, the sonics and the melodies that he chooses to use, the vulnerability.”
This eclectic mix of influences informs her genre-bending approach. “I feel like my sound right now is, is a big melting pot of different things,” Genia said, emphasizing her desire to avoid being “boxed in.” Her EPs, 4:00 PM IN THE VILLE and 4:00 AM IN THE VILLE represent significant milestones in her artistic journey. “4:00 PM was a conversation having to do with my past if anything, and me just trying to heal,” she explained. The raw vulnerability of tracks like “The One” resonated deeply with listeners.
“I remember just kind of feeling like I didn’t wanna write a breakup song,” she laughs. “It’s so funny because with that EP, it was a lot of deep s–t that was going on on each song. I feel like at least, I wanted a song that was just empowering.” Genia said, describing the feeling behind the song “The One”.
4:00 AM IN THE VILLE marked a period of transition and self-discovery. “That EP holds such a special place in my heart too because it was a stepping stone into everything that I’m doing now,” she said.
Her latest single, “Crush,” showcases her evolving sound and newfound confidence. “It just feels so authentic to who I am right now at the moment,” Genia said, highlighting the song’s blend of diverse musical elements. Genia’s ambition extends beyond creating captivating music; she aims to redefine the boundaries of the industry. “I don’t like feeling boxed in,” she declared, advocating for artists to “make the music that they wanna make honestly and not think too hard about it.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Genia is focused on growth and expansion. An “On the Radar” performance is on the horizon, and she hopes to embark on her first tour. “Obviously you guys are gonna have new music from me, possibly a remix coming soon,” she teased, promising to continue building her fan base. Genia is an artist with a clear vision and unwavering determination. Her commitment to authenticity, genre-bending creativity, and continuous evolution positions her as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.