Ayana Sheree: Redefining Caribbean Fusion and Global Sounds

When you hear Ayana Sheree, you hear freedom. Flirty, bold, and seductive while carrying the softness of her Caribbean roots, her music is an unapologetic fusion of vibes that transcend genres. Raised in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, with a background rooted in both the church and Caribbean culture, Ayana has carved out her own lane as a “Caribbean Fusion Artist.” Her sound moves between Dancehall, Soca, R&B, and Pop with ease never confined, always intentional.

From the release of her debut EP Visible in 2021, which sparked global dance challenges across continents, to performing on stages like the Barclay’s Center and SOBs, Ayana has proven that her artistry is not just local, but it’s global. The latest single “Show Me” is on the rise and with more singles on the way, she’s stepping into a new era of growth, visibility, and unapologetic self-expression.

GENEUS sat down with Ayana Sheree for a candid conversation about her roots, her journey, and her vision for the future of Caribbean music.

G: Growing up in East Flatbush with both your church background and Caribbean roots, how did those influences shape the way you approach your music today?

Ayana Sheree: Growing up in East Flatbush with both my church background and Caribbean Roots is what gave me my Caribbean Fusion sound. I was exposed to so much growing up which kinda made me not want to stick to one thing. It made me want to experiment a lot.

G: You’ve shared that your father gave you a small drum set as a child, did that moment spark your journey as an artist?

Ayana Sheree: To be completely honest, even though my father got me a drum set when I was young, it did not spark my musical endeavors. I was a YOUNGIN youngin lol. It made me happy that I was able to make a lot of noise, be heard, and feel free. Don’t get me wrong, I always had a genuine love for music. Though the drum set was impactful to my growth, it wasn’t the push to pursue performing. But it made me VERY expressive.

G: Watching Rihanna’s “What’s My Name” video inspired you to envision your artistry. What about that resonated most?

Ayana Sheree: PHEW! Rihanna “What’s My Name” changed my whole outlook on life lol. It was so colorful and loud (no pun intended with her album Loud). Watching her in that video, she looked so happy and free, like she had control and power. She was having fun and I wanted to feel like that. Seeing her just dancing in the streets not caring who was watching, inspired me to say, “This is it.”

G: Your music is described as flirty, seductive, and upfront, yet soft with your Caribbean roots. How do you balance those dualities?

Ayana Sheree: It’s honestly hard to explain how I balance those dualities lol. I just fuse whatever I’m feeling at the moment with the songs I make.

G: Do you consider yourself a Reggae artist or something more?

Ayana Sheree: I don’t consider myself a Reggae artist. That would be disrespectful to the genre itself, Reggae is conscious and strongly connected to Rastafari and spirituality. Though I grew up Rasta, I call myself a Caribbean Fusion Artist. I stay true to my Caribbean foundation by how I sing, the phrases, the lingo, and the vibe I bring. My Brooklyn/West Indian energy is in every track.

G: How would you describe “the sound of Ayana Sheree”?

Ayana Sheree: My sound is very upfront and bold. Flirty and seductive yet assertive and comfortable. My sound is free with a laissez-faire kind of vibe too.

G: Performing on legendary stages at the Barclay’s Center and SOBs is no small feat, what was it like stepping onto those stages as a rising artist?

Ayana Sheree: Lol well, though it was a very BIG accomplishment to perform in front of Barclay’s Center at Brooklyn Unity Fest, I had to pay to be on that platform, $700 to be exact. It was a struggle, but I saw the bigger picture. The day of the show, I only had like $32 to my name. I practiced, paid my dancers, got a super nice outfit, and only performed for a short time. It was bittersweet.  I wanted more and I deserved more. I told myself that I will never pay for another performance after that. Looking back, it’s not fair.

G: “Don’t Stop” crossed 20,000 streams on Spotify. How did that feel?

Ayana Sheree: Reaching that milestone made me SO emotional! It felt like, “So, this is what a number one hit feels like!” Seeing people dance and sing along made me so happy. That song did what it needed to do. It was really big for me and I see it as a blessing.

G: Your EP Undivided Attention caught global attention with “Tik It” sparking viral dance challenges. Now the latest single “Show Me” and the rise What was your reaction when you first saw fans worldwide connecting to your music? Talk about making Show me and the significance around this new track.

Ayana Sheree: Well, with “Undivided Attention” it really didn’t garner the same reception as my previous project “Visible”. Though it did very well in its own right. “Tik it” was most definitely a vibe but it didn’t spark a viral dance challenge like “Don’t Stop” and “Flex”.

My latest single “Show Me” is giving a bubbling hit. It’s a slow burner and I just feel that it’s going to gain the notoriety it deserves. There are some dance videos out for “Show Me” and with the content that’s about to come out for it, I know more will come out. When I first saw fans connecting to my music, I was touched. I felt so grateful too because I was gaining supporters that genuinely love what I put out. When I was creating “Show Me”, I marked it as a new era. I didn’t want to keep leasing beats on YouTube anymore and I wanted beats that I wouldn’t hear anyone else on. I want for when people play my music, they’ll say “Oh this a Ayana vibe”. The producer is Jamaican and he sent the beat over and then I recorded it at Court St. And when Courtney and I work together, we create VIBES. He was actually the one that came up with the flow for the chorus because the original was “wordy” and “too much” (his words not mine lol). When I wrote and recorded this song, I just felt free. My inhibition was legit out the window and I honestly free up myself. And HONESTLY, I legit was feeling myself when writing this song because I know my pull lol. 

G: If you had to rate your latest single “Show Me” 1-5 with 5 being the best of the best…what would it be and why?

Ayana Sheree: "Show Me” is a straight up 5!!! This song is catchy and has repeat value. Plus, you can’t help but wine when you hear the song. It’s a breath of fresh air and sits not something that you normally hear. This song is bringing a new wave.

G: How do you see your next era unfolding?

Ayana Sheree: I have so many singles in the works and I’m creating bomb content. In 2026, I want to be in a higher position, gain more followers, and get more opportunities.

G: You were featured in Koffee and Sam Smith’s collaboration visuals. How was that experience?

Ayana Sheree: Man, that music video experience was DIABOLICAL. I didn’t think I’d have to stay the whole day for just a few shots…lml. Me being the lead is an overstatement lol. They recorded a lot of me, but you only see maybe two or three quick shots in the final video. Cool experience, but a lot lol.

G: If you could collaborate with any artist across Reggae, R&B, or Pop, who would be your dream collaboration and why?

Ayana Sheree: Y’all already know, Rihanna! She’s a risk taker like me. I’d also love to work with Shenseea, Ayetian, Nailah Blackman, and Jada Kingdom.

G: What do you want your music to represent for Caribbean artists?

Ayana Sheree: I hope my music exposes people to other genres of Caribbean music and gives it a chance. I want more visibility for Caribbean artists, our own categories at award shows, and for us to be acknowledged without watering down our sound.

G: Looking ahead, what legacy do you want to build with your music and artistry?

Ayana Sheree: I want to be known as the greatest in doing what I did. To have a stamp in music history, revolutionize a new sound, and show that anything can happen with hard work, resilience, and hunger.

Ayana Sheree is more than a rising star, she’s a voice of authenticity, grit, and bold creativity. From East Flatbush to the world stage, her journey is a reminder that Caribbean music isn’t just a sound, but a movement. As Ayana continues to grow, she’s not only building her legacy, she’s opening doors for the next generation of artists to shine.

Ayana's Instagram: @ayanasheree