TIANA KHASI

BIO

It’s not often an artist establishes themselves so eloquently with the launch of their debut EP, but in the case of Brisbane-born, Melbourne-based future soul artist Tiana Khasi, this was precisely achieved with the release of her 2019 debut EP, Meghalaya – a powerful statement of intent that honours her Samoan and Indian heritage.

A trained vocalist whose voice has been described ‘as venomous as it is honey-sweet’, Tiana’s music pays homage to her heritage while exploring a forward-thinking blend of soul, jazz and pop. After her debut single Nuketown was premiered by Complex UK, it caught the air of BBC6 tastemaker Gilles Peterson, and was handpicked to feature on the 13th instalment of his renowned compilation, Brownswood Bubblers. Tiana went on to co-headline her debut UK performance in London, shoulder-tapped by BBC 1XTRA host, Jamz Supernova to feature on a showcase presented by her label, Future Bounce.

The anticipated debut, Meghalaya – titled for Meghalaya, India, the land of the Khasi tribe whose name Tiana proudly bears – arrived to critical acclaim. Collaborating with Brisbane producer Sampology and local independent label Soul Has No Tempo, it went on to receive nominations for 2019’s prestigious Corner Award, and an AIR Award nod for Best Independent R&B/Soul Release, a testament to the power in her storytelling and ability to weave themes of family, self-empowerment and identity into the contemporary vernacular of Australian music.

In 2020, Khasi released a follow-up EP, Meghalaya – The Remixes - a project that invited friends and respected collaborators to explore playful interpretations of her songs. Featuring contributions from Sampology, Melbourne’s Horatio Luna, So.Crates, Best Foot Forward, choicevaughan and Benny Salvador from Aotearoa as well as London-based label mate Street Rat, the remixes arrived dance-floor ready, breathing new energy into the music and representing community and collaboration at it’s core.

In a moment of reclamation in music, Tiana’s community-led approach and innate ability to integrate past experiences to shape new future sounds is not only what sets her apart, but will continue to carry her music forward.