Biography

Shay Lia is a woman of the world. Born in France, raised in the tiny, lesser known East African country of Djibouti (on the northeast coast of the Horn of Africa) and currently residing in Montreal. The independent singer-songwriter’s intentional, soulful offerings smoothly pack multiple genres and effervescent movement into a concise, sonic + visual narrative of the artist’s self-discovery. Shay Lia’s work relays the artist’s uncontained energy with an approach that is stylish, timeless and can be likened to the boundless energy of the sun. She’s an out-of-the-box thinker that refuses to be confined by a singular construct of an artist. Her self-assured approach shines particularly bright on her 2019 debut EP “Dangerous” - one that critics have called “meticulous” and “confidently succinct.” Following the public acclaim and accolades (including a Polaris Prize nomination) of her 7-track debut project in 2019 and an epic collaborative exchange with KAYTRANADA, Shay Lia has taken her place amongst her her global contemporaries (Jorja Smith, H.E.R, Snoh Aalegra, Mereba and Kiana Lede). Shay Lia is ready to show you just how versatile she is in 2020 - shifting into a diversified artistic output while returning to her roots. An intentional approach that is sure to resonate in a world that could always use a little more soulful sensuality. Blending thoughtful cultural context with contemporary collective emotion, her work resonates globally - ripe with joy and vibrance.