Top Shelf Music recently caught up with Los Angeles-based alt/reggae artist, Iyah Wise. The singer-songwriter spans jam rock to roots reggae, always giving blessings to the righteous.
With new music on the horizon, Iyah Wise had quite a bit to share.
Read on through our exclusive interview with the up-and-coming reggae artist, including Iyah’s plans for the rest of 2025, a taste of his new music, and how family life feels as a musician living in LA.
So what are you most excited about for 2025? Any big projects or new directions you’re exploring?
- IW: I’m really excited for an album; I’m also really looking forward to getting back on the road and working with new people musically.
An album?! Give us some details!
- I’ve been working on a full-length album; it’s about sharing more of myself and my experiences with people. Being more accessible emotionally… [I’m] really excited to share this song, “Nice And Easy” about my love of fatherhood.
How do you see this release compared to your previous work?
- I see my music evolving in a way where broader groups of people may be able to accept the message, because of the different musical influences and styles we are putting into this new music.
As a family man, I’m sure that is a main source of your inspiration…?
- Ah, my family is my music! Everything starts out as a lullaby or a chant for our weekend excursions. Even our struggles has humbly brought about some beautiful music, in my opinion.
Who else would you say has influenced your sound and style?
- Ah, maaaan. Well, respect to everyone firstly. But, I have to say amongst the modern bands and artista, Capleton, Groundation, and anything The Ligerians have worked on. All of them have given influence to delivery, message, and musicality. To me, they show incredible skill in performance, as well as composition. I try to give them their roses while we are both here doing this ting we do.
How do you balance staying true to your roots with the pressure to evolve and adapt to new trends?
- I always try to think about what am I trying to accomplish. Is it a look into my heart and soul? My roots? Or is it sum’n we make the people get a likkle hype? While delivering a message in a new style? I think that helps navigate which trends or what type of evolution that’s happening as I express my same message, as well as myself in new ways.
What’s your approach to songwriting?
- My approach is to, firstly, be open to whatever the universe is bringing to me. I usually like a more relaxed environment with nice ‘aromas’ and I always have likkle personal prayers or mantras me say just to keep myself in check.
What themes or personal experiences are you planning to explore more in your music this year?
- One experience I am exploring is my daughter being in the hospital for over a year. It was tough on family and friends… Definitely want to say some things about that.
Is it challenging to keep your personal life and your artistic identity separate — or do they blend together?
- A wise Rasta once told me to make my whole life like art. Not just the music, but even fatherhood, and struggle. Make it all like art. So for me, all of this is just blends together.
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned as an artist so far?
- I’ve learned to have a plan, to create a team, and to create material you actually believe in and live. These new projects are going to be me expressing what that looks like for me right now, in the situations I’m living through.
What are your goals for this year?
- My goals for 2025 are to play more festivals and to also step into the more professional venues. I’m really looking forward to the Bob Marley Bash and Farm Fresh Reggae Festival in Iowa. Those two are gonna be be great shows and great tour runs!
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or passed, who would it be and why?
- There are, of course, greats like Uncle Bob and the Honorable Vaughn Benjamin, but I would probably have to say I would work with Papa Carl from House of Shem. I really appreciate the blueprint he gave us on family, Rastafari spirituality, and also the way HOS was a part of the international reggae scene.
Last, what do you hope listeners will take away from your work?
- I really hope my music impacts people in a way where they feel empowered to learn, live, love, and even struggle openly and freely. I hope [they] take away the idea that it’s okay to live and learn with imperfection, as long as you grow strong and trust the process during your struggle.
Iyah Wise – “Done Enough”
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