Apryl Sashay: All Night

MUSA What was it like growing up in Harlem?

APRYL Growing up in Harlem was amazing. Just the culture alone. Being around all these amazing Black people in so many different dynamics. From walking down 125th street and people doing music. Singing and building relationships with those people. Being a part of different organizations like Harlem School of the Arts, Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir, Dance Theater of Harlem and having those amazing experiences as well. When you’re from Harlem you feel that energy and you just can’t help but to go mad hard for Harlem. There is a creative energy that vibrates through Harlem.

MUSA Who were your earliest musical influences?

APRYL My first musical influence would be Michael Jackson for sure. I was just completely enamored with his musical ability. His music came across in his singing, his dancing, his rhythm, everything. I appreciated how musically inclined he was immediately. Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Patti Labell, Anita Baker. And lastly my parents and my family are a huge part of my musical inspiration and musical identity. My Mom has a beautiful voice and was always singing to me as a child and comes from a Gospel singing family. My Dad plays percussion and is true lover and connoisseur of multiple genres of music. My Dad and I would just ride around and listen to music, we still do, and I’m so grateful for those moments.

MUSA What was it like going to Hampton University, a historically Black college?

APRYL It was an amazing adventure. Hampton was a huge melting pot. Seeing all the different cultures of music and of dance. And being a dancer I really appreciated that and all of us coming together and sharing our own experiences of Blackness in America in one university.

MUSA How would you describe your music and its mission?

APRYL My music is about being honestly expressive. Self love, self acceptance. Sharing that creativity that comes naturally. My song All Night (Good Life) which is coming out New Year’s Eve was originally a vogue song. I love voguing and I wanted to make some music to dance to and to sing and to share. So it’s amazing how it started there and how it transformed and how music grows. But I definitely want to bring in different genres into my creative style. And as I share music I look forward to sharing those different inspirations.

MUSA You’ve been a collaborator for other artists. What does it feel like to be the main artist on your own tracks?

APRYL It’s super exciting. When you work with other people it’s learning which is part of the growth. I’m grateful for working on those projects and learning from different artists and what they have to offer. Life is an inspiration and I do my best to stay in the moment. Soak in every moment. The energy, the vibration and learn from it, grow from it and be inspired from it.

MUSA What is BURNCULTURE?

APRYL BURNCULTURE is me and my partner Citizen Chance production company. It is a space where we capture and create content. We don’t like to call it a studio we consider it a content house. We capture content. BURNCULTURE is a collaboration of food, art, music, film and capturing the essence of those things. Burning of the old into the new. Telling our stories and creating and sharing that through our own eyes.

MUSA What can we expect from Apryl Sashay?

APRYL We can expect songs, songs, songs, music, music, music,videos, videos, videos. Sharing the creativity through my lens and lots of music to come. Lots of video and content. I’m super excited to share.