As a singer, songwriter, and sonic healer whose genre-defying sound blends R&B, neo-soul and folk, UMI has proven to be a rising musical force. Born and raised in Seattle to a multicultural and musically inclined family, UMI found her voice early, and initially started sharing acoustic songs and covers on SoundCloud during high school. Her deeply introspective lyrics and calming presence quickly built her a loyal following, leading her to leave USC to continue honing her craft and focus on her career.
Her album, ‘People Stories’, marks a new chapter. Inspired by her loved ones, fans, strangers, and her own experiences, the project explores ego, healing, identify and connection – all filtered through her signature tranquil songwriting. The album is her most personal and expansive to date, featuring both spoken word outros from her therapist and guide with sonic imperfections intentionally left in as a tribute to life’s beautiful messiness. People Stories is deeply universal, seamlessly weaving through various styles like R&B, folk and pop, with each track offering its own texture. For UMI, People Stories is both a reclamation of her past and a tribute to collective growth.