In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Philadelphia was the cradle of the Neo Soul Movement. More than a genre, a new group of homegrown musicians, sirens, and wordsmiths created a vibe and culture that was best experienced live in clubs, coffee shops, and basements. They blended the groove of Gamble & Huff with the grit of 90s Hip-Hop, the experimentation of Jazz with the spirit of a COGIC (Church of God and Christ) service, and the poetry of The Black Arts Movement with the fashion of Soul Train. In that moment, Philly birthed a new era of musical supernovas.
The city’s soon-to-be stars included artists from all genres: The Roots, State Property, Lady Alma, Eve, Charlie Baltimore, Jill Scott, Jazmine Sullivan, Bilal, Musiq Soulchild, Jaguar Wright, Kindred The Family Soul, and John Legend all left their mark on the city. They worked regular jobs, went to school, cut demos, and performed at local open mics and talent shows, preparing for their big break. Radio stations had popular shows that focused on the music of the movement and its infectious new artists. The scene was primarily underground, yet multiple venues showcased live performances in almost every part of town, seven days a week.
Enter Ayinké and Ayana, twin sisters from Arlington, Virginia. Fresh out of Lehigh University, the duo found themselves at the epicenter of this Nu Soul Movement. As AAries, they wrote songs at Jazzy Jeff’s A Touch of Jazz Studios, sang background for Musiq Soulchild, and landed a deal with Atlantic Records, leaving them ripe for super-stardom.
The Family Business
Ayinké and Ayana were raised in a tight-knit family full of love, discipline, and support. Since childhood, they were known to be introverted, caring, and spiritual beings who loved God, music, and fashion.
“Strange, right? We want[ed] to sing, but we’re introverts. I believe music is what gave us our voice,” says Ayinké, when asked about their formative years.
The twins lived very sheltered lives, only going to school, church, and other structured activities. AAries names their careful upbringing as one of the foundational experiences that created a buffer between them and the darkest parts of the music industry. Ayinké credits their mom with cultivating their love of music and the arts: “She kept us in the church and gospel choirs.”
While Ayinké and Ayana’s mother cultivated their love for music, their father – a singer, too – became a source of inspiration. “We had some protectors around us,” recalls Ayana. “We were able to be shielded from some of the things that are still in the industry.” Ayinké continues: “We weren’t shielded from everything, but we always knew to get out, or walk away or – you know what I mean… we were protected.”
Their professional music journey began when they heard about a singing competition on the campus of Howard University. The grand prize was a chance to compete at the Apollo Theater in New York. “We’re gonna go, and we’re gonna win!” thought Ayana. And win, they did. After earning first place, Ayinké and Ayana gained the confidence they needed to dip their toes into the music business. To them, singing was like flying, and they were ready to soar.
Their parents’ teachings kept them grounded and practical: music was not their sole focus in college. Ayinké and Ayana pursued bachelor’s degrees in sociology and international studies, respectively. Ayinké also went on to receive a Master’s in Personal Counseling. While in college, they expanded their horizons by showing interest in theater and costume design – skills that would serve them well as their careers progressed.
Music quickly became a family business. Their older brother Jerome (J Hipps) and Michael McArther co-founded the Philadelphia-based Mama’s Boys management company, responsible for discovering and managing Musiq Soulchild. In the process, J Hipps encouraged his sisters to move to Philly, record background vocals, and develop their songwriting skills. “Ayinké was the first one to go down to a Touch of Jazz and started writing before I went down there,” says Ayana. “As an artist, it’s important to tap into your words, your thoughts… tap into what you want to say.”
Suddenly, a personal tragedy and a loss of confidence redirected their path: amidst all of their success, they learned that their father had taken his own life.
“I remember thinking, well, now he has to see what we do with our talent. [Because] he can see it. So, for me, that was the driving force. I need to keep going so he could see what we do with our talent,” confesses Ayana. “Really?” responds Ayinké, “And in my head, I thought, ‘Man, dad can’t see this.'”
Shock and grief propelled Ayana to join her sister and brother in Philadelphia. They locked away their pain, immersing themselves in the business of stardom. Days and nights in the studio were spent producing gems with Musiq Soulchild like Girl Next Door and Settle for My Love. The duo toured the world, securing a spot in a Coca-Cola Nu Soul campaign with Questlove, Amel Larrieux, Angie Stone, and Musiq. They signed a deal with Atlantic Records and crafted a beautiful debut album, Always Remember, which was promoted and teased in a 2002 Vibe Magazine article. But the music was never released. Later, there was hope and inspiration attached to a 2007 deal with Sony until that, too, produced no releases.
A Reckoning and Rebirth
Between 2005 and 2020, many of the clubs that made Philly’s music scene were sold, shuttered, or burned to the ground. Radio stations canceled programs that gave voice to the movement. Some of the talent earned international opportunities that moved them up and away from Philadelphia. There was a shift: for some, a reckoning with the pitfalls of life and the potholes of the music business. For others, a quiet pivot and a strong press forward.
AAries walked away from their record deals and found themselves in a moment of deep grief. Ayinké and Ayana put their degrees to work, never having had any interest in living the starving artist life. Even with their determination, it’s hard to work regular jobs when you’ve spent some time in the spotlight.
Ayana found employment at an investment firm. She strolled into the office with her 70s-inspired threads and power to the people ‘fro. She knew within a few days that the environment wasn’t for her. A casual stroll into a South Street boutique, wearing her funky self-made attire, earned her a gig and her first step into a career in the fashion industry. Ayinké worked as a social worker, focusing on adoption. She found the work rewarding, yet there were constant reminders of her dream deferred.
Ayana and Ayinké were regularly asked if they were The Girl Next Door, which was quickly followed by the question, “But what are you doing here?” It took time for the twins to release the urge to be defensive. Once they did, they began creating work to feed their souls. They released an EP in 2011 entitled Cover Girls.
Their most recent project, YinkeYana, represents the breadth of their healing journey through music. Ayana confesses that they “didn’t start off doing the project to heal, but when [they] began to outline what it’s about, there was a natural progression.” The twins didn’t realize how much they were holding in, including feelings about not reaching the level of success they thought they would have. They were deeply disappointed that the music they’d poured their hearts into was never released. When discussing the ups and downs of the music business, Ayinké said, “To sacrifice so much, and not to be able to truly get that record deal or get that album out, was the down.” This disappointment, coupled with the unshakable sadness from the passing of their father, impacted their confidence for some time.
For many years, the twins would not discuss how their father died. If someone asked them directly about his passing, they would simply say he was ill and change the subject. They were extremely guarded and unable to open up.
“But then I didn’t feel as though I was being true and authentic,” says Ayana.
Lessons Learned
YinkeYana includes deeply personal material, including a track dedicated to their father, Dad Song. “It helped me to heal, to be able to write Dad Song and to be honest about it, not feel as though I’m hiding it anymore.” Ayana continues. A new resolve was born. The twins had something to say. They needed to tell their story.
The album became a personal battle cry. “And just being able to turn that down into an up by saying, you know, wow, things have changed. I’m gonna do this thing independently, and I’m gonna write these songs, and we’re just gonna get our story out. That was an up. That was turning lemons into lemonade, “said Ayinké.
The album’s collaborators, Marcus John Bryant, Connie McKendrick, Ivan Barias, Brian Schwabe, Rah Sungee, Dai Miyazaki, Randy Bowland, Shannon Woodall, Tiga Jean Baptiste, Rodney Hill, Amira Smith, Dania Daniels, Seth and Shana Jackson, made it possible for AAries to find their healing and share it with the world.
AAries are artists who’ve spent their entire careers tapping into their truths in order to tell stories. YinkeYana re-introduces the twins as the same talented duo with new lessons to share. Ayinké sums it up best: “The lesson is to never give up on yourself.”
Tiffany Bacon is an actor, radio personality, health educator, fashion and costume designer.
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