Aliah Denae is a woman of many worlds. By day, she is a third-year medical student specializing in surgery. By night, she is carving out her place in music, blending genres into a sound she calls “unique, authentic, and poetic.” And this Friday, August 22, she takes her biggest step yet with the release of her first single “Over You”, produced by Matee and mixed and mastered by producer DreDay.
Early Beginnings
Denae’s passion for the arts began in childhood. “I started talking from baby stages like one, two, three,” she recalled. “I was always singing Alicia Keys, Etta James, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson—all those pop artists. Acting, singing, anything in the creative world has always been a part of my life.”
In 2024, she entered both Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe, finishing in the Top 10 at Miss Jamaica World. “When I just started pageantry, I was very reserved. I wasn’t on social media much. But pageantry pushed me to put myself out there—it gave me media training, confidence, and the drive to show my personality.”
The Music
Aliah’s sound is’ fusion and poetry. “My music is storytelling—deeper than it seems at first. It’s pop, R&B, Afropop, Afrodance—all blended together.”
Her latest single “Over You” carries that vision. She credits her connection with DreDay as pivotal: “I’ve known him since high school. He was one of the first to tell me I had a beautiful voice. To now have him support me on this journey means a lot.”
Medicine Meets Music
While pursuing music, Denae hasn’t slowed her studies. As a third-year medical student specializing in surgery, she embraces both disciplines with discipline and passion. “It’s two different worlds, yes, but if you have love and passion for something—and the discipline and time management—you can achieve anything. I’m living proof.”
She sees parallels between her careers: “Music is about sharing my journey and connecting with people on a real level. Medicine is the same—I listen, I empathize, I connect with stories. They both allow me to serve people in different ways.”
Support and Vision
Her manager, Roxann, entered the picture through a mutual friend who passed away. “It felt meant to be,” Denae says. “We connected naturally, and now she helps me shape my career.”
And while she knows music is not as structured as medicine, she’s ready for the challenge. “I am aware of how hard it is. But for me, success is about people hearing my music and loving it as much as I do. Of course, I’d love that breakthrough hit—but really, it’s about connecting with my audience.”
