Meet Yana Adams | Playlist Curator and A&R

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

Hi Yana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I wanted to do something that I truly love and enjoy! Music has always been a getaway. It’s freeing, and can put you in another realm in life. If I’m happy, sad, in love, or on some main character fly ish, I can always choose my mood. So with the process of starting, I knew that music can make people feel something no matter who you are in the world, someone out there can relate. So, with my thought process of curating my playlists, I can be in my zone of, “How do I feel in this very moment in my life?” Someone out there can possibly relate.

Starting on this journey isn’t just for me, it is for everyone. I want my audience to listen to this gift that God placed inside of such amazing artists that I place on my playlists. Especially, new artists that can go head up with some top tier talent in the music industry. I like to motivate artists on their journey to keep going! The journey is definitely not easy, it will be some bumps on the road, some detours and all, but in order to reach your destination you have to make a few stops and refuel your engine. God will always give you a clear vision on why you should keep going and it’s been in my vision to help support creatives on their journey to remind them of why they started in the first place, because the gift that’s inside is a gift to others. That’s the biggest blessing you can ever give to someone.

No matter where you are in life, you can always change the narrative because you are the author of your story.

#NoSleepingGetFamiliar

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m proud that I actually did it and did it by being myself. I literally started with what I had and being my authentic self. That’s something that no one can ever take from me or be! I’m not rich, I don’t have a big investment of money, but by the grace of God he created me to be who I am today and reach levels of where I am today. Life is definitely challenging in the process, but the main thing is to continue to be yourself and share the good and bad, but as long as you don’t allow the bad to change the narrative of why you started in the first place.

When you allow the challenges in life to hold you back of why you started, it can definitely hinder you for sure! I know I’ve reached stages in my life of wanting to give up, not because I felt like I couldn’t do it, but because life can really beat you down. When you’re trying to survive in this world, it can either slow you down or build you up. I’ve been having health issues with being in and out of the hospital in year 2023. Being told that I have high blood pressure, and Ulcerative Colitis. When I was dealing with that, my mind wasn’t nowhere near being in a creative mindset. Once I started to get sick time and time, I was no longer consistent. I know how this game is, it’s all about consistency. So, when I was going through all of the emotions, I was like, they’re going to forget about me honestly. Thinking like, will my playlists/platform still be relevant to them? Then I thought about it, just keep being me and doing me like I’ve been doing because it made me come this far. Everything will be okay, what’s for me will happen at the right time and God has showed me that throughout this entire journey of starting. I am also thankful to have the support of others who also want to see me win! My heart is so full from those who genuinely want to make sure I’m on okay and also motivates me to keep going as well! All I can say is, regardless of the trials and tribulations, LIFE IS GOOD!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So if you don’t know I’m from Memphis, TN! The home of the blues and amazing food! So I’ll definitely say, visit downtown to really feel the culture! Go to Beale Street and go into a few places to eat and visit the Stax Museum. It will tell you everything you need to know! My favorite spots to eat at in the city is, Sage, Crumpy’s Hotwings, Smackers, Flava House, Big Bill’s BBQ Mahogany and Brainfood. We also have a new restaurant that’ll opening soon this year called EnV (Eat n’ Vibe). So I’m definitely looking forward to that! The places I will go to enjoy a good time out is really wherever the vibes are, but LOVE for sure, the most popular club in Memphis for the grown and sexy. The WKND lounge, and a new club that’ll be opening soon this year called, District 12.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give recognition to my friend, Michael Asante. He is an A&R who discovered many greats along his journey! He has supported me since the beginning, and I love his work ethic! I don’t think this man sleeps! Literally, #NoSleepingGetFamiliar lol .. he’s inspiring and works hard. He wants to see other’s win! Shoutout to him for even speaking my name in rooms that I wasn’t in. Shoutout to him for reaching out to his peers at Nycesound Production to have me apart of their team as an A&R. The fact that another pioneer in the music industry, T-Nyce reached out to me was a blessing! Just to be acknowledged for the work I’ve put in over the years and to even want me to be apart of their team! For that, I am grateful for the people like them, God made that happen! That’s all I can say! And again, shoutout to Nycesound Production! They have some amazing talent for the world to look forward to!

Website: https://linktr.ee/thesnooze.tv?fbclid=PAAaZotRGr71aA79lr50jdqSkyHiUVtpkf_QUm8G5ffu0UGjakMXI0Y1fVi3w_aem_AfeK51RQsT5bAHYZPlh1iJdIlMwCYOF9x82qYMe3TQQRDay23brpfNulmKmqJ02UAWI

Instagram: @thesnooze.tv

Image Credits
The images I have are front playlist covers of the ones I started off with that got me to where I am today. My first interview I ever did, with The Progress Report to speak about my platform. Images of myself, taken by me and by my friend who is a photographer, Maliek Butler. A great moment in my life when I became an official A&R with the Nycesound Production record label!