Description says it all!

My special guest is Palestinian born and Toronto-based singer/songwriter Merna (formerly known as Ayah). I’ve been a fan of her music for a long time, which is why when she released a new record, Sans, I had to have her on the podcast to talk about the project and her journey in music.

Merna talked about the decisions she made on how she’s approaching her music, why it’s not about ego anymore-it’s just about sharing. The distinction she has made separating music as a business and music as a form of expression. We went back to her origins and she takes us through her upbringing, what it was like moving between Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Seattle, Toronto and how that shaped her. Merna also takes us through the timeline of her career, what it was like to work with DJ Jazzy Jeff, how she approaches fear and so much more.

Without further ado, Merna on The Come Up Show Podcast.

Each and every Wednesday we’ll be uploading a brand new interview with a guest we feel that you should know about. If you love podcasts subscribe at the options below.

Subscribe to The Come Up Show Podcast on your favourite platform: bit.ly/2k57m7r
Show us love and leave us a review: bit.ly/tcuspodcastreview
Join our newsletter: bit.ly/tcusnewsletter

Check out the new book “Stop Playing By Their Rules: An Artist Guide On How To Market To Fans” bit.ly/2kgGzEV

Previous: EVENT: MERNA | LIVE @ THE DRAKE UNDERGROUND | WEDNESDAY JULY 12TH

Merna does her thing live for the city, tomorrow (Wednesday) … reach!!!

Off the heals of her most recently released album, sans, Merna and her band will be performing live in concert at The Drake Underground.

Special guest Desiire
Music by Dj L’oqenz

————–

Palestinian-born, Toronto-based multi disciplinary artist, Merna (formerly known as Ayah) blissfully spreads her wings in a space and time where evolution is imminent. After creating magical soundscapes with the likes of DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jill Scott) and James Poyser (The Roots), releasing her dynamic album The Calling featuring stellar production by Makai Black and executive producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest, Lucy Pearl), she brazenly forays into the world of art, production, and composition with her new self-produced offering, sans.

Impressively melding minimalistic sound design, striking chords, classic songwriting, and melodic elements of pop, soul, and classical, evolution never sounded so sweet. sans will be sure to poise Merna as a producer/writer to reckon with.
Most recently, Merna introduced audiences to the sans concept of quiet presence in order to make space for creation, the sans experience, via an interactive installation and live shows.

Listen to sans:
http://hyperurl.co/Merna_SANS
theartistmerna.com

Previously: NEW MUSIC: MERNA – SANS (EP)

Shouts to Law, Tona and the East!

TRACKLIST
TONA – SHOW ME SOME LOVE
TONA – RED EYE FT FIXAVELI
TONA X KARDINAL – TIMING
TONA – 416
NBS – JAMESON AVE
TONA X ADAM – LONG WINDED ROAD
TONA – BLUE SHIELD
TONA – WEED & ALCOHOL
TONA – NYMPHO
TONA X RICH KIDD – WE DO
TONA – SKRIPTURE
TONA – LOST
TONA X SESE – HOOKER (Produced by Lyve)
AYAH X TONA – PUSHA MAN
TONA – DIAL TONE
TONA – DIAL TONE (MIX)
TONA – STREET DREAMERS
TONA – FASTPACE FT SAUKRATES & T.R.A.C.K.S.
CHILLAZ FT TONA – FOUNDATION
NBS – NO ONE KNOWS MY STRUGGLE
FOLLOW TONA @ISATONA
FOLLOW DJ LAW @DJLAW3000

Fresh off her noteworthy feature on Kendrick’s “TPAB”, Rapsody connects with the home-girl Merna for her latest Young-Guru-produced offering off her “Beauty and The Beast” album.

Get it @ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/beauty-beast-deluxe-edition/id983024655

Jeeeeez. Merna murderation.

Ali Shaheed Muhammad, (ATCQ, Lucy Pearl), delivers a stirring song, entitled CPR, and accompanying visual, in response to the growing worldwide concern over police brutality and murder particularly in the United States.

Produced by New York native, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, CPR features Tennessee visual artist/rapper, JaPoet, Georgia co-producer/rapper, David Luke, and recent collaborator, Palestinian/Canadian singer/songwriter, Merna (fka Ayah).

This is one for the people. #BlackLivesMatter

Video edited by Merna and @bloowoods

FREE DOWNLOAD OF CPR, go to www.alishaheed.com online store

In order of appearance:
@AliShaheed
@JaPoet
@DavidLuke0123
@MernaKilledAyah

Previous: NEW ALBUM: MERNA “THE CALLING”

The artist FKA Ayah makes her full length debut as Merna (her real name) with “The Calling” – a 10 track project of hauntingly beautiful vocals, emotions and cinematic sounds, marking the artist’s arrival to new sonic territories. With executive production duties handled by Makai Black, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and the artist herself, the album is compelling, ambitious, and deserving of serious attention: locally and outside our homegrown borders.

Get it now @ https://t.co/42z00V1ddy

www.mernakilledayah.com

Previously: NEW VIDEO: MERNA – A LITTLE MORE (LIVE PERFORMANCE)

This is not a music video. This is live live live live…

Merna push getting kinda crazy right now. Song produced by Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

To my friends & supporters,

I wrote this song, (and my new album, The Calling), for you and I. Because I have learned to love me, and so I love you. One can’t truly know & love him/herself, and hate another. In a time so heavy, we can be the ones brave enough to help each other recognize our own light. Our powers are that of the most super kind and we must not be afraid. Share yours. Shine your light on the world.

We can all do, give, feel, be, listen, love: A Little More.

A Little More is produced by Ali Shaheed Muhammad, with piano by Raymond Angry. (I’m so blessed to be surrounded by & working with the most amazing people.) 

– Merna

——————

Music video by Merna performing A Little More. (C) 2014 MERNA INC

Produced by Ali Shaheed Muhammad
Piano by Raymond Angry
Shot & Edited by Zac Facts

Previous: NEW VIDEO: MERNA #BENDTHERULES (WEEK 3) (DIRECTED BY ZAC FACTS)

Directed by Zac Facts.

Week 3 of Merna’s #BendTheRules campaign with HP.

If you’ve been a fan of Merna (fka Ayah), vote for her @ https://h30650.www3.hp.com/rulebender-1.php  …. she wins $30K if she gets the most votes!

Directed by Zac Facts.

Week 2 of Merna’s #BendTheRules campaign with HP.

If you’ve been a fan of Merna (fka Ayah), vote for her @ https://h30650.www3.hp.com/rulebender-1.php  …. she wins $30K if she gets the most votes!

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Merna #BendTheRules (Week 1) (Directed by Zac Facts)

Directed by Zac Facts.

In Week 1 of her #BendTheRules journey, musician and producer Merna puts her passion in perspective.

https://h30650.www3.hp.com/rulebender-1.php

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Merna #BendTheRules of Sound (HP Canada Commercial) (Directed by Zac Facts)