Life & Work with Adeira Hunter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adeira Hunter.

Hi Adeira, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My first solo ever was in the church at 9 years old. I remember the butterflies in my stomach. I remember the song word for word (“I’ll Stand Until”). I can even kind of remember the places in the song where my still maturing voice cracked. However, I loved every bit of singing and I knew music was going to play such a huge part in my life. Following that, I never stopped singing.

There were plenty of more church solos, performing in numerous musicals throughout high school, singing competitions, auditioning for shows like “X-Factor” or “The Voice” the list goes on. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college in 2018 that I began to explore songwriting and making music. I met a few other artists on campus who were super knowledgeable about the studio recording process and they helped me produce and record my first song “Feeling Inside” from their bedroom which I didn’t end up releasing until 2021.

I fell in love with this process… finding the melody, constructing the song lyrics, getting the beat going, hitting the record, and BAM! It took me a little while following that 2018 recording to find not only the consistency with creation but my sound. I was also super big on life experiences being the motive for my music. So in February of 2021, there were some things I wanted to get out of my brain and onto some paper.

I found this instrumental on YouTube that had a very R&B feel to it. I ended up writing my first single ever released “Ova Lames” in about 20 minutes. Within that same week, I went to an “actual” studio and recorded the song. It was scary at first, I’m not going to lie. The sound in the studio is so loud and so rich. You heard every aspect and detail of your voice and I think it made me strive to be a bit of a perfectionist.

Once we finished, I set up a photoshoot to capture the cover art of the single and released it the following week. I think I remember being extremely nervous about that. I showed about a handful of 3 people the song, to begin with, and then released it to the whole world… there were many emotions!

I received the most amazing reception I could have ever imagined. People would be in their car playing MY song… and getting hype! The feeling of knowing that I could create something that could inspire others and make them “feel” something was HUGE to me. I just knew I didn’t want to stop.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I have definitely fallen flat on my face numerous times throughout this journey. Following the “high” I experienced from releasing my first single, I felt this constant pressure to put out something else.

Not only did I need to put out something else, but it needed to be JUST as good if not better than what I first put out. I feel like this made my creative process way more forced and less authentic. I hated that. I would get in a low headspace a lot too.

I questioned whether not “singing was for me” or if I should put more focus on other parts of my life. I remember getting through this thought process being hard and it took much prayer, patience, and trust to see my way out.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an R&B/Soul singer and songwriter. I currently have three singles released on all music streaming platforms.

My artist name is “Adeira Jonaye” and oddly enough, I feel like I embody someone completely different when I am in my “artist mode.” I am most proud of my drive and consistency in the last year with releasing all of my singles back to back.

I think I placed a certain expectation on myself that used to make me get down, but once I removed it, I was just able to focus on the art process and appreciate the experience. Every part of my artist and the creative journey has been a beautiful experience thus far.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
All of my music can be found on any music streaming platform that you use (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, etc.)! I strive to make music that makes people “feel” something.

Whether that means I’m making you feel nostalgic, making you feel like a boss, making you feel in love… that’s forever the goal! I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to listen. I am currently working and constructing an EP (Extended Play) entitled “Forever Grateful.”

It would be a dream for it to be released by the end of this year, but time will only tell… and I’m not rushing it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/adeirajonaye
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adeirajonaye/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfUpALZXbejMwRnR8V5L_1g

Image Credits
Vernon King and Maia Shampo