Meet SheROCKS 2026 Artist: AINAE

AINAE’s music feels lived-in—shaped by many homes, many sounds, and many ways of seeing the world. Growing up in a family where cultures, languages, and creative practices overlapped, she learned early that music could hold history, longing, and imagination all at once. That foundation still guides her today, from the joy-driven curiosity of her earliest songwriting to the reflective depth of her latest work.

Q: You can hear the influence of your Ethiopian, Black American, and Caribbean heritage in your sound. How has heritage helped you shape your artistry?

AINAE: My upbringing has a huge hand in the sounds I love and the perspectives I bring to my music. Coming from a family of immigrants, my approach to chasing dreams is different. My family is a real melting pot—American, Ethiopian, Crucian, Danish, and probably a few more! I always lived at the intersection. I grew up going to Mariam [the Ethiopian church], until I was about 10. I would just soak in the music. My mom and I would drive home from school listening to Jasmine Sullivan, Justin Timberlake, and Amy Winehouse on repeat, singing every line. At home, my dad was recording rappers and singers from the neighborhood in our basement studio, and my grandma had me serving tables at her jazz club, Twins Jazz. Music and literature were always part of my world, and that shaped how I see life and create. My music reflects all the journeys I’ve been on and the dreams I’ve witnessed in the people around me.

Q: You started writing songs at age eight. When you look back at that younger version of yourself, what parts of her still guide your creative process today?

AINAE: That little girl still shows up every time I start something new. The rush of excitement, that “omg, we have something!” feeling. She brings pure joy and curiosity. Over the years, my process has changed a lot. I used to chase perfection but now I let myself create without judgment, at least in the early stages. That inner child keeps it fun and reminds me why I started.

Q: “Looking Glass” is your newest EP. What themes or truths were you exploring while creating this project?

AINAE: I recently released “Looking Glass” in October, and it holds a special place in my heart. It was created partially in DC and Atlanta, but most of it came to life during nine months in Norway. making music every single day. I really shed layers and got to the root of who I am. The project explores love in its purest, most naive form. The rose-colored glasses. The romantic-comedy version of falling in love. It’s the moment before reality sets in, before you realize love takes work, not just infatuation.

Q: You’ve had electric moments on big stages from The Voice to SXSW to AFRAM with Patti LaBelle. Which moment challenged you the most, and what did you take from it?

AINAE: The Voice was definitely an eye-opening experience. It felt like a stamp of approval at a time when I was questioning if music was really for me. Being on Kelly Clarkson’s team was surreal...so many “pinch me” moments. But more than anything, it challenged me to take up space and be disciplined. It made me realize no dream is too big. If I could do that, I could do anything.

Q: Your lyrics are very introspective. What’s something you’ve recently learned about yourself that found its way into your music?

AINAE: I’ve realized that when it comes to love, I’m still a bit naive and afraid. Afraid of conflict and of repeating the patterns I saw growing up. “Looking Glass” is about that naivety, before I understood love as a verb, not just a feeling or a fantasy from movies.

Q: Your single “Weekend Lover” has built steady momentum. What does its success mean to you at this stage in your career?

AINAE: My idea of success has really shifted. Every year I set new goals, and I feel blessed to have performed at SXSW and to open up for artists that I've looked up to. I’m proud to consistently release music and have fun with the process- that’s what I love most.

Q: As someone inspired by Jamiroquai, Erykah Badu, and Lauryn Hill, how have  those artists influenced you to create something distinctly “Ainae”?

AINAE: All those artists are unapologetically themselves, blending unconventional sounds into classics. I love lyricists. Wordplay and double meanings always get me. I’ve enjoyed putting on my producer hat, experimenting with weird sounds and different perspectives, just like they do.

Q: You sold out Union Stage in D.C.. How has the D.C. music community helped shape the artist you’ve become?

AINAE: DC is home! It’s seen every side of me, every version of my artistry. I’ve been lucky to have so much support from the DMV. I built my confidence here and found the freedom to try new things. DC loves live music, and it’s been fun testing out new material and seeing what clicks.

Rapid Fire: A song you wish you wrote — go!

AINAE: “Moving Out” by Billy Joel.

Q: What are you most excited for audiences to experience when you take the SheROCKS stage at the March 2026 showcase?

AINAE: I am most excited for the audience to smile and have a good time with me! I think there's a pure joy in sharing vulnerability and dancing at the same time, so I hope that can be felt on stage and in every listening ear.