Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Genre: Alternative Pop, R&B
Instruments: Vocals, Piano, Ukulele, Violin
Why You Should Listen: As the daughter of the legendary soul icon D’Angelo, it’s easy to see why music runs through Imani Archer’s veins. Rather than following a familiar path, Imani is carving out a lane entirely her own. She creates music that feels both experimental and deeply personal, blending dark pop, soul, and R&B with emotionally honest songwriting.
Along with her striking vocals and multi-instrumental background, Imani pairs her music with a fearless sense of style, showing that her creativity extends far beyond the music. Her willingness to experiment, take risks, and follow her own creative instincts is what makes her an undeniable creative force.
EXCLUSIVE Q&A:
When did your journey as a musician start?
I got started as a musician pretty early. My first dream was actually to become an author when I was around 5 years old. When I turned 7, I realized I loved singing way more. Then, as a teenager, I realized that I could combine the two passions through songwriting. I was 12 when I started playing piano and violin.
Wait, I didn’t know you played violin!
Yeah, that was actually the first instrument I learned how to play. When I first started playing, my dad was very excited about that. He was like, “Violin, really?? Heck yeah!” (Laughs.)
I don’t play as much as I used to, but I still include them on most of my songs, especially this upcoming project. I think almost every song has strings except one. They’re like my first love, even before piano. I just love strings.
If you had to choose four records that shaped who you are musically, what would they be?
There are so many, so it’s hard to narrow it down. But Mariah Carey’s Emotions was incredibly influential for me. When I first heard that song, I was completely blown away. I wanted nothing more than to be able to do those whistle tones. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world.
I also love Whitney Houston, she’s my vocal icon. She’s just absolutely incredible. I love (sings) “Saving All My Love for You.” When I was 11, I absolutely nailed that song. I was like, “if I can conquer this song, I am that girl!” I sang it all the time.
The other two are from my teenage years, which was a very important time for my songwriting. That’s when I really got into more left-field kind of music.
I love The Weeknd. I think he’s super cool. I love all of his albums, to be honest. The Morning and House of Balloons. I don’t think I sound anything like him, but he was very influential for me, especially the sounds he used in his production.
Lastly, I’d say “Waiting in Vain” by Bob Marley. I love him. My mom is from Guyana, so I grew up very immersed in Caribbean culture and reggae.
Your falsetto is incredible! When did you realize you could do that with your voice?
I’ve always had a higher register, but the whistle tones, in particular, took a lot of practice. I always wanted to do them because of Mariah, but then Ariana Grande came on the scene and she was amazing at it too. I was like, “I’ve gotta get my sh*t together and nail this!”
So when I was 13, I would sit in my closet for hours every single day until I got it. It took me months to be able to get that high.
When writing music, do you usually begin with a melody or lyrics first?
For years, it’s just been me sitting at the piano or picking chords on the ukulele, but this EP was the first time that my process changed. I didn’t feel inspired by that process anymore. This whole project is about the last year of my life and everything I’ve been going through, so there was just a lot I wanted to say.
Sometimes I’d just be out with friends or whatever, and I would hear a melody or a line in my head and be like, “that’s it!” For instance, in my last single on the first line of the song, I literally heard it verbatim when I was at my uncle’s house. I went into the bathroom and recorded it on my phone. When I came back home, I got on the piano and I finished it, then brought it to my producer.
How do you blend R&B and Soul influences into your Alternative/Dark Pop sound?
I really just try to let things come to me melodically. I know that sounds kind of corny, but I try not to force it.
If I’m working with a producer, I’m usually very particular. I’ll tell them, “Hey, I want it to sound like this” or “I need the production to do this.” Then I’ll usually leave the studio, come back home, and finish the rest myself. Sometimes I’ll do it in the studio, but I feel like I’m more in touch with those influences, especially my R&B influences, when I’m creating alone.
What inspired you to play the ukulele?
A few things. I’m a huge Bruno Mars fan, and he played ukulele a lot when he first started out. I always thought that was really cool.
The other reason is that I was really struggling with guitar, especially bar chords. I could play the basic ones, but I was still trying to figure out things like B-flat minor because I have these tiny little fingers. (Laughs.)
I’d tell my dad how I was struggling, and anytime he’d try to teach me, he’d be like, “It’s easy! You just hold it until your fingers bleed.” And I’d be like, “Okay, I’m not doing that.” (Laughs.) His hands were ginormous and his fingers were hard as rocks from playing guitar for so many years.
Eventually, I was like, “Well, the ukulele is this cute little instrument, and I can definitely play all the chords on that.” The strumming gives me a similar feel to guitar.
What’s one lesson you learned from your dad about musicianship that sticks with you the most?
One of the biggest ones is to study the greats. He was very big about that. I think he was very supportive of the fact that I wanted to do different music than he did. But he was also like, “don’t forget to study the pop girls that came before you. Not just people from the 90s, but people from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Go as far back as you can go and really learn their catalog.”
He would send me playlists with a bunch of oldies that he wanted me to learn or sing. It was really sweet and I’m so glad I have them now. He knew everything about every musician to ever live. (Laughs.)
Who are you currently studying?
I’ve always loved her, but in the last few years, it’s been Aretha Franklin. She has so many special songs that I didn’t appreciate as much when I was a child, but now that I’m older, I genuinely get it. She’s someone that my dad would put on those playlists frequently. He knew I loved Mariah and Whitney, so he was definitely like, “make sure you listen to Aretha!” She’s one of my favorites.
Your fashion sense has a rock-star edge to it. Where did that come from and how do you experiment with your outfits?
The first time I really fell in love with that style was around 2009, when Rihanna came out with her fourth album, Rated R. She really leaned super heavy into the goth rock look, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. At the time, a lot of girls like Katy Perry had the super pink bubble gum girly aesthetic, so Rihanna’s style was kind of left-field. I wanted to be just like her. Even when she evolved from that style, it never left me.
I love anything with spikes, chains, and lace. It’s probably genetic too because my dad was really into that style as well. We both love skull rings and leather. Now it makes me feel closer to him when I wear stuff like that, so I look for it even more now.
My mom was a model and has a clothing store now, and she’s very into fashion. She gives me a lot of tips and tricks. Many of the vintage pieces I have are from her.
Do you see yourself experimenting with rock, funk-rock, or psychedelic soul in the future?
I would love to do rock at some point. The first CD I ever bought was Kelly Clarkson, when she was doing pop-rock, so I’ve always loved it. It’s actually something that, for my next project, I really want to lean into a lot more. I always find myself going back to those kinds of songs.
It’s also part of the reason Black Messiah was my favorite project of my dad’s. He leaned into that style a lot on that album. Rock is one of my favorite genres, so I definitely, in the very, very near future, will be doing that.
From your fashion to your music, you’re never afraid to push creative boundaries. Where do you think that fearlessness comes from?
I’ve always been a little rebellious. In high school, anytime there was a dress code, I’d purposely break it. I’ve always had that side to me, which is probably why I have the slashed eyebrows. (Laughs.) It’s one of those things where people either say, “I love it,” or, “I hate that! Why are you doing that?”
I love doing things that most people would consider unconventional. Some of my favorite artists and artwork have always pushed boundaries or embraced the unexpected. Whenever I’ve leaned into that, it’s always taken me somewhere creatively that I wouldn’t have gone otherwise.
Over the years, it would’ve been easy to let other people’s opinions get in my head, but my dad really inspired me not to do that. He had so much success with his earlier projects, and it would’ve been the easiest thing in the world for him to make a Brown Sugar Part II or a Voodoo Part II. But he just did not care to do that. I know people put pressure on him, but he was like, “I don’t care. I’m going to do what I feel.”
I try to carry that same mindset into my own music. Even if I put out a song that doesn’t blow up, I know I put my whole heart into it. And even if it isn’t the most conventional choice, if it felt honest to me, then I know I made the right decision.
What’s one thing you’re most excited for people to hear on the upcoming EP?
I’m excited for people to hear more of my story. A lot of my earlier songs were about my first relationship, and while that’s definitely part of who I am, there’s so much more I want to share.
For instance, I have a song called “Broken Halo” that’s about my childhood and what it feels like to go through traumatic experiences at a young age. It explores that feeling of not quite fitting in or being able to relate to people your own age because of everything you’ve been through.
I also have another song that I can’t talk too much about yet, but it’s about what happens after grief. I think a lot of people can relate to losing relationships in the aftermath and how incredibly isolating that can feel. That’s the kind of storytelling I’m really excited for people to hear on this project.
More than anything, though, I can’t wait for people to hear the outro. I did something really special with it that includes my dad. It’s incredibly heartfelt, and it still makes me cry every time I listen to it.
