Meet Jayaira Hargrow | Singer/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jayaira Hargrow and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jayaira, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
My passion is music and I realized that singing was something I was GOING to do. I was only 7 years old when I made up my mind that being a singer was for me. The first song I ever wrote was about ‘Winnie the Pooh.’ After that, my best friend since first grade, and I created our own rendition of the Cheetah Girls. We would rehearse dances, write songs, and audition girls in our class almost every week because they wanted to be a part of our group.

A few years later, things got a bit more serious with my love for music. My grandmother began to ask me if I wanted to audition for certain musicals like Lion King and Madeline on Broadway. Of course, I was still young so I did not take them as seriously as I would now. I was still grateful for the opportunity. My grandmother always had me involved in several organizations around Atlanta including Girls Scouts, The Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation, YMCA Camp Cosby, and even various school functions. At each and every one of these organizations I have performed live per request.

My grandmother never pushed the entertainment industry on me and for that I am grateful. Everything that I have ever done performance-wise was because I made the decision to perform and indulge more in that industry. I have performed at various singing and talent competitions such as The Gift McDonald’s singing competition as well as Making The Band. Not only have I participated in singing competitions, but I have had the opportunity to have a full-circle moment and be a part of musicals such as ‘Annie’ playing the role of Annie. and ‘Disney’s Jr Broadway Lion King production as Simba’s mother Sarabi.

Performing is something that I have been able to study myself with and will always be grateful to be a part of anything that involves music and the performing arts.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The music that I create is R&B/Pop and my voice is a bit high pitched in my opinion. What sets me apart as an artist is that I have more live-performing experience than recording experience. This benefits me as an artist because when you perform live and that includes musicals, you cannot mess up, and if you do, the audience cannot notice as opposed to recording, you can go back pitch correct, fine-tune, and even re-record or cut parts that you do not like. I was able to gain valuable performance experience in which I am also able to interact with a crowd and engage with them.

I have lost every single singing competition that I have done, but I never gave up. I was able to overcome my obstacles of not feeling like I was good enough or talented enough because my grandmother always reminded me, ‘listen, if you were not talented, do you think you would keep getting picked as a finalist? do you think you would have gotten roles in major musicals if you were not talented?” I always remind myself of my previous accomplishments if I ever feel down on myself especially now since COVID, I have just broken out of my writer’s block, I graduated from Spelman College and had to adjust to being back home, my producer ended up moving away, so I needed to find a new producer that could work with me independently. I would tend to get down on myself and feel like I hit a roadblock, but I always remind myself that what I have accomplished thus far has prepared me for what I will accomplish in the future.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
To be honest I really hate the club, like with a passion LOL. I am extremely claustrophobic so wherever we go, the club will not be involved. Now let’s get into it…

1. First we would go to my house and get settled.

2. We would definitely need to get some food and I really do not drink like that, but if I do it HAS to be sweet.

3. We would return home and get ready for the next day. My friends are usually tired after traveling to me. I am a little ways away.

4. New day! we would definitely have a girl’s day may be shopping at the mall and a nail date. I love my press on so I would just get my feet done.

5. Now it’s Sunday Funday and I think my friend and I would get brunch and relax the rest of the day until it is time for my girl to leave me.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Vanessa Hargrow – My Nana

My nana has always encouraged and motivated me to stay humble, but know my worth. She is the reason that I have the confidence that I do to perform in front of anyone no matter what. I love her for never forcing entertainment on me. I am grateful for her always being a prominent and supportive force in my life. Thank You nana.

Website: https://linktr.ee/jayairaofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayairaofficial/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkXCYM2CsWJilDV5GrB2xFA

Image Credits
Hollywood Headshots