Who she think she is?
Minolta Araya is an Eritrean-American artist born in Queens, NY. She recalls her earliest memories are of fireflies, block parties and grandma’s yelling ‘get in before the porch lights come on!’ She began creating very early through acting, dance and journaling— writing everything from short fiction stories and plays to poetry. At just 5 years old she won a scholarship to the Dance Theatre of Harlem and by age 8 she received publication for one of her pieces in children’s poetry anthology— ‘it was some nonesense about America being a Melting Pot’ (the artist).
Minolta moved to Southern Pines, NC as a teenager, where she began playing guitar. The South helped her to connect with nature and “plant roots”. Compelled by the unknown she travelled alone in a converted SUV camper up and down the East Coast of America with an acoustic guitar and small djembe; writing and performing at open jams and drums circles. While in New York, she continued performing vocals with various indie bands, including Black Peter Group at art collectives and galleries across the city. Minolta eventually found her way to Los Angeles, CA competing on America’s Next Top Model and ranking in the Top 20.
Following an underground Hip Hop Show, Minolta met producer Sebastian Pringle of Crystal Fighters. Her raw vocals, meshed well with his dance beats and they soon traveled to London to record multiple tracks. Her latest single “Runaway”was released with an accompanying music video from filmmaker Andrew Dyck and received a range of positive reviews; playing on indie and college radio stations worldwide.
Currently based in Los Angeles, Minolta Araya is writing, acting (SAG AFTRA) and traveling performing spoken word. She has been featured at The Lash Social in Hollywood, Flames V1 by PowrLA, Death Cat (A Punk Rock Show), The Zoo Fundraiser for Alexandria House, The Songwriting School of Los Angeles, Emerge Festival in London, and more. Minolta won first place in the Barcelona “PoENtry Slam” & first place in the International San Jose Poetry Slam held virtually in January 2023. Minolta has planned to release her much anticipated first chapbook later this year.
Minolta moved to Southern Pines, NC as a teenager, where she began playing guitar. The South helped her to connect with nature and “plant roots”. Compelled by the unknown she travelled alone in a converted SUV camper up and down the East Coast of America with an acoustic guitar and small djembe; writing and performing at open jams and drums circles. While in New York, she continued performing vocals with various indie bands, including Black Peter Group at art collectives and galleries across the city. Minolta eventually found her way to Los Angeles, CA competing on America’s Next Top Model and ranking in the Top 20.
Following an underground Hip Hop Show, Minolta met producer Sebastian Pringle of Crystal Fighters. Her raw vocals, meshed well with his dance beats and they soon traveled to London to record multiple tracks. Her latest single “Runaway”was released with an accompanying music video from filmmaker Andrew Dyck and received a range of positive reviews; playing on indie and college radio stations worldwide.
Currently based in Los Angeles, Minolta Araya is writing, acting (SAG AFTRA) and traveling performing spoken word. She has been featured at The Lash Social in Hollywood, Flames V1 by PowrLA, Death Cat (A Punk Rock Show), The Zoo Fundraiser for Alexandria House, The Songwriting School of Los Angeles, Emerge Festival in London, and more. Minolta won first place in the Barcelona “PoENtry Slam” & first place in the International San Jose Poetry Slam held virtually in January 2023. Minolta has planned to release her much anticipated first chapbook later this year.