By Mana Faye
Anayka She via Instagram.
Anayka's musical journey began not with a microphone, but with a baton. Born in Brooklyn to Panamanian parents, she was raised in rhythm, joining her family's marching band from a young age. Her father played the drums, her mother the cymbals, her sister the marimba, and six-year-old Anayka twirled her baton, blending into the family tradition. This spark ignited a lifelong passion that eventually propelled her to TikTok stardom, where she now has over 1.5 million followers and 262 million likes. Since then, she has released two EPs, "Mistaken" and "She," with more projects on the way.
Her rise on TikTok was gradual yet unexpected. Anayka first began posting singing and duet videos to share her voice, though she was initially hesitant to admit her dream of becoming a singer. "I realized I had to take that leap to achieve my goals," she says. Despite her introverted nature, her bright on-camera personality quickly won over a loyal fanbase. Her first video to hit a million views—where she pronounced French words—went viral in February 2021, a moment that caught her off guard. "I did not expect it to go viral," she laughs. "When it started to grow, I thought, 'Wow, this is crazy.'" Now nearing two million followers, she has made humor and personality staples of her videos, with each one outperforming the last.
Finding Her Niche
When asked about her niche, Anayka's answer is simple: "My niche is just myself." She reflects on how authenticity has been her greatest asset. "Social media today has so many rules and guides you should follow to hit certain milestones, but before it was more casual. I didn't even make money the first year. Just showcasing all parts of myself, I was able to cultivate an audience that likes me for me." For aspiring creators, her advice is to create out of genuine passion, as fame comes with challenges. "When you start dealing with the annoying side effects—like your words being misconstrued, being dragged, harassed, or stalked—the money won't feel worth it unless you genuinely enjoy what you're doing."
One series that has resonated with her audience is "Trying It Darker," where she tests popular makeup trends on her dark skin. "Every Black girl knows the struggle of searching for a hairstyle or outfit and adding 'Black girl' to the search," she explains. "I wanted to show people what these products looked like on dark skin, and people really appreciated it." Her favorite products include Tower 28's concealer ("10/10!") and Glossier's Holographic Lip Gloss, which she describes as "subtle, sparkly, and gorgeous."
On Music and Growing Her Platform
TikTok has also been a platform for Anayka to grow her music career. Songs like "Your Line," "Off Again," and "Breakdown Interlude" have garnered positive feedback, and her official video for "Confused" has over 100,000 views on YouTube. Reflecting on her success, she says, "When you dream of success, you imagine how it feels, but experiencing it feels almost normal. I can't even comprehend 1 million followers." Her unique sound draws from R&B icons like Brandy and Michael Jackson, with some fun influences like The Cheetah Girls. Her debut project, "Mistaken," was written while she was still in college, but her recent EP, "She," released in July, showcases a more polished sound and has even been pressed on vinyl. "A few followers wanted vinyl, and I love the idea of showing my kids a physical record of my music someday," she shares.
Creating Her Signature Look and Dreaming Big
Anayka's signature style—two blonde money piece highlights—has become a defining part of her brand. "When I created "She," I wanted a cohesive look that truly represented me," she explains. "I've always had white in my lashes, and thought, 'How can I elevate this?' Now, it feels fun and authentic, and I love that it's become part of my brand."
Looking forward, Anayka has her sights set on dream collaborations with artists like Summer Walker and Bryson Tiller. "Bryson was one of my first inspirations—he showed me I could do this, he did everything at home," she says. "And I love Summer Walker; I feel like there is magic in every one of her songs."
As her fan base grows, Anayka is excited to deepen her connection with her supporters, perform more live shows, and interact closely with her audience. "I look forward to connecting more with the people who support me," she says, ready to bring her music and vision to an ever-growing audience.
You can follow all things Anayke on Instagram at @anaykashe, on TikTok at @anaykashe, and on Spotify as an artist.
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