Inayah

Inayah
Born
Inayah Lamis

(1989-11-08) November 8, 1989 (age 36)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
GenreR&B
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Labels

Inayah Lamis, known mononymously as Inayah (born November 8, 1989), is an American R&B singer, songwriter and actress from Houston, Texas.

Career

Inayah was born on November 8, 1989 in Houston, Texas, where she was raised and began singing at a young age alongside developing a storytelling style influenced by gospel, blues and R&B records heard in her home. She later worked at a jingle company and built an online following with cover videos and short-form performances.

In 2018, Inayah gained wider attention after her remake of Ella Mai's "Boo'd Up" went viral on Instagram and was reposted by several celebrities. That exposure helped lead to her breakthrough original single, "Fairy Tale", which was released in 2018.

Her debut studio album, S.O.L.A.R. (an acronym for "Storytelling Over Lyrics and Rhymes"), was released in December 2019 through Inayahlator Enterprises and Empire Distribution. The album included the single "Best Thing", which later became Inayah's first certified song release when it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2023. In June 2021, Inayah released the extended play (EP) Side A, her first project since S.O.L.A.R. (2019). The six-track EP included the singles "Fallin" and "What Are We?", and featured a guest appearance from fellow Houston musician Scarface on the album track "Houston TX".

In 2022, Inayah released her second studio album, Insecure. Insecure featured production from Dixson, Troy Taylor, Triangle Park, Kxhris, Nellz, Super Miles, and Happie. Inayah followed it up with the release of her third album Wait, There's More in 2024 through Inayahlator Enterprises and Empire.

In June 2026, Inayah released her fourth studio album, Therapy Wasn’t Enough, through Inayahlator Enterprises and Empire. The album consists of production contributions from Damon Thomas, Eric Dawkins, DJ Camper, Brody Brown, and DJ Chose. The album was preceded by the singles "Outside" and "Choose".

Artistry

Inayah's music has been described as R&B and soul-oriented, with an emphasis on personal storytelling and emotionally direct lyricism. She has said that storytelling is central to her work, and that she uses her songs to create relatable, narrative-driven records.

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2025 Finding Joy Littia Feature film debut
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2024 Bad vs. Wild Herself Episode: "Alter Egos"

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Inayah Is Turning Instagram Success Into Soul Music". Houston Press. December 13, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Interview: Inayah – Independent and Thriving". Urban Magazine. December 13, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Singer Inayah Lamis Is Proof R&B Is Not Dead". Parlé Magazine. September 17, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Exclusive: Social Media Star & "Jingle Queen" Inayah Talks Music & More". The Knockturnal. December 19, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Inayah". Apple Music. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "Inayah's 'Best Thing' Is Now Certified Platinum". Rated R&B. September 5, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  7. ↑ Hamm, Ken (July 7, 2021). "Inayah Shows Us Off Her Range & Ratchetness On 'Side A'". SoulBounce. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Folk, Antwane (September 23, 2022). "Inayah Releases New EP 'Insecure'". Rated R&B. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Inayah Shares New Album 'Wait, There's More'". Rated R&B. April 22, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Samuels, Keithan (June 10, 2026). "Inayah Puts in the Work on New Album 'Therapy Wasn't Enough'". Rated R&B. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Inayah Brings Soul, Sisterhood & Transparency to Her Therapy Wasn't Enough Debut". Sheen Magazine. May 21, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Bad vs. Wild". Zeus Network. Retrieved June 20, 2026.