Growing up in Galveston, Texas, Immanie was raised in a world where church and school came first. As a preacher’s kid, her childhood looked different from most. Sleepovers and parties weren’t really part of the equation. Her life was centered around being a good example, living right, and representing her family.
But music was always there.
Around the age of four, Immanie was pushed into singing. By five, after people began recognizing her natural talent, she was already singing lead in the adult choir. What started as something she was forced into would eventually become one of the biggest parts of who she is today.
For years, church was her main outlet. She was sheltered, focused on school, and surrounded by gospel music. Looking back, she believes that upbringing helped shape the electrifying personality and sound she carries today.
“I was really sheltered as a kid,” she explains. “Which shows why I’m wild to an extent and very electrifying.”
As she grew older, her musical world began expanding. She would sneak and listen to artists like Jill Scott and Tank, finding excitement in music outside of what she grew up around. That curiosity eventually led her deeper into artists such as Take 6, Erykah Badu and Angie Stone, while gospel classics from The Clark Sisters, Deitrick Haddon, Mary Mary, Yolanda Adams, Tye Tribbett, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp and The Winans remained part of her foundation.
From there, her influences continued to grow. D’Angelo, Moonchild, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi and Musiq Soulchild became part of the soundtrack that helped shape her musical identity.
It wasn’t until the age of 20 that Immanie decided she wanted to create original music of her own.
Some might look back and wish they had started earlier, but Immanie doesn’t share that feeling. In fact, she believes she started exactly when she was supposed to.
“I don’t regret a single thing,” she says.
Making original music gave her an opportunity to experience life outside of simply being known as a preacher’s kid. Her path wasn’t always perfect, and she admits she wasn’t always right, but every part of the journey helped shape the woman and artist she is today.
Now residing in Houston, Immanie continues building her sound with the help of people who understand her creatively. One of those people is her “soul brotha,” Kyriq, who she says understands her sound and what she’s trying to articulate. He also helps her get out of her own head when she begins overthinking ideas she already knows are good.
That creative chemistry can also be heard through KiMET, a collaboration featuring Immanie, Kyriq and another “soul brotha,” Saint MRZ.
For Immanie, creating music is about more than simply making songs. It’s about bringing the ideas in her head to life and allowing people to experience her personality through the music.
Her latest single, “Get Up,” is a perfect example.
Calling it “MY BABY,” Immanie produced and wrote the lyrics to the Jersey-inspired track after hearing Doechii and JT’s “Alter Ego,” produced by Kaytranada. She credits the song as a major source of inspiration and says both records are ones she keeps coming back to.
But she isn’t stopping there.
On October 1 at midnight, Immanie is set to release “Can We,” featuring Houston’s own King of R&B, LVRD. The record marks a special moment for her because it will be her first R&B release.
Immanie and LVRD have known each other for roughly two to three years, and she believes their chemistry is something listeners will immediately feel.
“When I say MAGIC together, you can feel it and see it,” she says.
That excitement is easy to understand. After years of being surrounded by gospel, discovering new sounds in secret, and eventually finding the confidence to create music on her own terms, Immanie is stepping fully into her own identity.
Her journey from the church choir in Galveston to creating original music in Houston has been anything but ordinary. Every chapter played a role in getting her here.
And through it all, Immanie knows exactly who she gives the credit to.
“God first, always.”
She also gives love to her family for embracing the many different versions of Immanie — or Diana, her first name, which she jokingly asks people not to use in public — as well as everyone who listens to her music, supports her journey and gives her honest, valuable feedback.
