Inayah
Inayah | |
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| Born | Inayah Lamis November 8, 1989 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B |
| Occupations |
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Inayah Lamis, known mononymously as Inayah (born November 8, 1989), is an American R&B singer, songwriter and actress from Houston, Texas.[1][2]
Career
[edit]Inayah was born on November 8, 1989 in Houston, Texas,[3] where she was raised and began singing at a young age alongside developing a storytelling style influenced by gospel, blues and R&B records heard in her home.[3] She later worked at a jingle company and built an online following with cover videos and short-form performances.[2][4]
In 2018, Inayah gained wider attention after her remake of Ella Mai's "Boo'd Up" went viral on Instagram and was reposted by several celebrities.[3][5] That exposure helped lead to her breakthrough original single, "Fairy Tale", which was released in 2018.[5]
Her debut studio album, S.O.L.A.R. (an acronym for "Storytelling Over Lyrics and Rhymes"), was released in December 2019 through Inayahlator Enterprises and Empire Distribution.[1][2] The album included the single "Best Thing", which later became Inayah's first certified song release when it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2023.[6] In June 2021, Inayah released the extended play (EP) Side A, her first project since S.O.L.A.R. (2019). The six-track EP included the singles "Fallin" and "What Are We?", and featured a guest appearance from fellow Houston musician Scarface on the album track "Houston TX".[7]
In 2022, Inayah released her second studio album, Insecure.[8] Insecure featured production from Dixson, Troy Taylor, Triangle Park, Kxhris, Nellz, Super Miles, and Happie.[8] Inayah followed it up with the release of her third album Wait, There's More in 2024 through Inayahlator Enterprises and Empire.[9]
In June 2026, Inayah released her fourth studio album, Therapy Wasn’t Enough, through Inayahlator Enterprises and Empire.[10] The album consists of production contributions from Damon Thomas, Eric Dawkins, DJ Camper, Brody Brown, and DJ Chose.[10] The album was preceded by the singles "Outside" and "Choose".[11]
Artistry
[edit]Inayah's music has been described as R&B and soul-oriented, with an emphasis on personal storytelling and emotionally direct lyricism.[1][3] She has said that storytelling is central to her work, and that she uses her songs to create relatable, narrative-driven records.[1][2]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]Extended plays
[edit]- Side A (2021)
Singles
[edit]- "Fairy Tale" (2018)
- "N.A.S." (2019)
- "Suga Daddy" (2019)
- "Best Thing" (2019)[6]
- "Go Get That B" (with Ramengvrl) (2020)
- "Fallin" (2021)
- "What Are We" (2021)
- "Always Something" (2022)
- "Most Girlz" (2022)
- "For the Streets" (2023)[6]
- "Hot Sauce" (2024)[9]
- "Why Shemix" (with Lizzen) (2024)
- "Choose" (2026)
- "Outside" (2026)
Filmography
[edit]- Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Finding Joy | Littia | Feature film debut |
- Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Bad vs. Wild[12] | Herself | Episode: "Alter Egos" |
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 "Inayah Is Turning Instagram Success Into Soul Music". Houston Press. December 13, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Interview: Inayah – Independent and Thriving". Urban Magazine. December 13, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Singer Inayah Lamis Is Proof R&B Is Not Dead". Parlé Magazine. September 17, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Exclusive: Social Media Star & "Jingle Queen" Inayah Talks Music & More". The Knockturnal. December 19, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- 1 2 "Inayah". Apple Music. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Inayah's 'Best Thing' Is Now Certified Platinum". Rated R&B. September 5, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ Hamm, Ken (July 7, 2021). "Inayah Shows Us Off Her Range & Ratchetness On 'Side A'". SoulBounce. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- 1 2 Folk, Antwane (September 23, 2022). "Inayah Releases New EP 'Insecure'". Rated R&B. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Inayah Shares New Album 'Wait, There's More'". Rated R&B. April 22, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- 1 2 Samuels, Keithan (June 10, 2026). "Inayah Puts in the Work on New Album 'Therapy Wasn't Enough'". Rated R&B. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Inayah Brings Soul, Sisterhood & Transparency to Her Therapy Wasn't Enough Debut". Sheen Magazine. May 21, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Bad vs. Wild". Zeus Network. Retrieved June 20, 2026.