You could make a case for the RnB scene as Sydney’s most prevalent musical export.
Look at the ARIA chart success of Milan Ring and Maina Doe, Becca Hatch playing with Coldplay, or the rise of Offbeat Collective artists like DEVAURA and Jamaica Moana. In the past half-decade or so we’ve witnessed the complete takeover of local RnB, a scene with predominantly women and non-binary people of colour front and centre.
RIAH is not exactly a new addition to this scene (she’s been steadily releasing singles since 2020) but she’s surely the youngest. Not content in waiting to start her musical career, RIAH has balanced HSC exam prep with sharing stages with Miss Kaninna and BARKAA, and playing showcases for SXSW Sydney, Parramatta Lanes and King Street Crawl.
“I feel so grateful, so blessed but yeah sometimes I do kind of struggle to juggle things… I do have HSC and I probably should study a little bit more these holidays”
Drawing from the rich cultural tapestry of her home in South-West Sydney and her Tongan, Aboriginal, Fijian and Italian roots, RIAH has already carved out a unique space in the local scene. While her earlier releases utilised the electronic sounds of modern-RnB (think finger snaps, sped-up vocal samples and rolling hi-hats), RIAH’s latest release ‘Mother’s Love’ sees her go back to basics with a more classic 90’s-style instrumentation. Produced by Chelsea Warner (Anieszka, Liyah Knight), RIAH’s soulful performance is backed by lush harmonies and delicate piano flourishes. When she sings “You’re my best friend / You taught me so much”, you feel the love and sincerity in her voice.
“[My mother] is my best friend, she was my first friend…and she’s only ever wanted the best for me. I really wanted to create something to give back, just to show her how much I appreciate you and appreciate everything you do for me.”
Words by Louisa Christie