INOJ
Ayanna Porter (born November 27, 1976), better known by her stage name INOJ, is an American singer and songwriter. She was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. During college in Baltimore, Maryland, she was in a group called Spellbound.[1]
INOJ | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ayanna Porter |
| Also known as | Joni-Ayanna Portee (songwriting credits) |
| Born | November 27, 1976 Madison, Wisconsin, USA |
| Origin | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA |
| Genres | Pop, R&B, dance, hip hop, Miami bass |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | Columbia Records |
| Associated acts | Spellbound |
In 1997, she released her debut single, "Love You Down," a cover of Ready for the World's 1986 hit that reached #25 in the United States. Her debut album was also named Ready for the World. INOJ released a cover version of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" under Columbia Records in 1998, which was a Top 10 hit in the United States (#6), Canada (#7), and New Zealand (#10). In 1998, she released her debut album, Ready for the World. She also released a cover version of Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell" as a single, though it did not receive much exposure as her previous singles.
Artistry
Style
When discussing her musical style in an interview with Billboard, INOJ stated that she doesn't identify with one particular genre of music.[2] According to her " I try not to classify my sound, but I think I would call myself rhythm and pop instead of R&B". She continued saying, "R&B is more street today than rhythm and blues, and i'm definitely not urban, so I guess i've come up with a new category of my own".[2]
Influences
INOJ states, "you sing according to the way your were raised, I heard a lot of different artist growing up including The Carpenters and Sandy Patty".[2] Musically she is influenced by artist from both the past and present including Minnie Riperton, Stevie Wonder, Chicago, Michael Jackson, Backstreet Boys, N Sync, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Shawn Colvin and Aaliyah.[2]
Discography
Albums
- 1999: Ready for the World
Singles
- 1997: "Love You Down" (20 weeks, peak #25 - US)[3]
- 1998: "Time After Time" (16 weeks, peak #6 - US)[4]
- 1999: "Ring My Bell"
- 2007: "Nine to Five"
- 2008: "Baby You"
- 2011: "On"
- 2012: "Love Thang"
- 2012: "It's Over"
- 2016: "My Love for You"
- 2017: "LYD (Love You Down)"
- 2018: "September Love"
References
- Billboard Biography Inoj
- "Ingenue INOJ Follows Her Instincts As "Time After Time" Clicks At Top 40". Billboard. September 19, 1998. p. 96. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- Billboard Hot 100 Chart from June 20, 1998, the last week the single was on the 100.
- Billboard Hot 100 Chart from Dec 5, 1998, the last week the single was on the 100.
