Ayak Thiik
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ayak Thiik | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Genres | R&B, neo soul, hip hop, EDM, pop |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, composer, studio producer, voice teacher, musical arranger |
| Instruments | Piano, keyboards, sampler, guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Cinematic Music Group Universal Music Group Takeover Roc Nation Sony/ATV BMG Chrysalis UK Warner Music Polydor PB Management Syco Music |
Ayak Thiik (also known as, "Ayak Tracks") is a Grammy nominated, South Sudanese-British singer-songwriter and vocal producer.[1][2] She is primarily known for writing hit songs and appearing on vocals for artists like Diana Ross, Cee Lo Green, James Morrison ("You Make It Real"), Chip ("Until You Were Gone"), Tinchy Stryder ("Never Leave You and "In My System"), and Dappy ("No Regrets" and "Rockstar"), among others.[2]
Ayak Thiik's love for music was evident at an early age, and she was able to sing long before she was able to talk[citation needed]. Ayak Thiik had signed a record deal with German record label Stereo Wonderland, Polydor, Universal and recorded an album – making her the first Sudanese artist to be signed by a major label worldwide.[2][3] Thiik entered and won the Princes Trust Urban Music Festival's – Unsigned Talent Search, in the United Kingdom. She ultimately won a spot in a line-up which featured Beyoncé, as well as Alicia Keys and a host of top UK artists.[2]
Song writing and vocal production
In 2006, Ayak Thiik wrote and featured on the Cincinnati native hip-hop producer Hi-Tek's second album, 'Hi-Teknology²: The Chip’. The track "Can we Go back" also featured Talib Kweli. Since then she has ventured into the house music world, working with German producers Milk & Sugar. Her dance music collaborations with Milk & Sugar have clocked up two consecutive UK chart toppers at number 1 and 2. Thiik's house music endeavors have taken her to Brazil, Singapore, Moscow, Russia and Lebanon.[2]
Having spent 18 months working on her songwriting, she was offered a deal and signed by Takeover Entertainment. She has penned songs for Kelly Rowland, Mica Paris, Esmée Denters, JLS, Chip, Tinchy Stryder, The Wanted, Alexandra Burke, Lemar and Roc Nation's signed Bridget Kelly, among others.[2]
Her vocals have also appeared on Tinchy Stryder's "Never Leave You" – Catch 22 album, "In My System", "Take the World" – Third Strike album, Kylie Minogue's "Everything is beautiful" – Aphrodite album, James Morrison's "You Make It Real – Songs For You Truths For Me album, Cheryl Cole's "Stand up" – 3 Words album, Cee-Lo Green's "Satisfied" – The Lady killer album, among others.[2]
In 2010, Thiik gained her first UK Singles Chart record as co-writer on Chip's "Until You Were Gone" featuring Esmée Denters. This went into the UK singles charts as at No. 3. She also co-wrote Tinchy Stryder's No. 10 hit "In My System", on which she also appeared on vocals but not the music video.[2]
In 2023 Thiik became the first South Sudanese person to be recognised by the recording Academy, for her work on the twenty-fifth studio album Thank You by American singer Diana Ross. The album received a nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 65th Grammy Awards, Ross' first nomination since 1983.