Woodland Hills High School rising senior Aryana Kapree is just a few days away from heading to Grammy Camp 2024 at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles — the highly selective music program begins July 13.
Cheerleading is one of her many passions, along with football and live music; she just found out she will be cheer captain this school year. The excitement in her voice is unmistakable, yet her tone is even and reminiscent of someone wise beyond her years. At just 17 — she will be 18 in December — she is already an accomplished emcee, vocalist and songwriter.
“I feel super duper excited, blessed. I actually didn’t think that I had what it takes to get into the Grammy Camp … INEZ sent me the link to it, and I’m like, ‘Do you really think I should do this? Do you think I have a shot?’ ”
The reassurance from her mentor and local R&B artist INEZ came without hesitation. She said her acceptance was a confirmation that she is on the right path.
Grammy Camp is a seven-day music industry program that takes place every July in Los Angeles, open to high school students around the country interested in careers in music. It will be held at The Village Recording Studios, and students will learn from music professionals and guest speakers. Kapree is the only student from Pennsylvania selected to attend the camp. Every year, Grammy Camp receives thousands of applications. Only around 80 students are accepted. Alumni include Billie Eilish and instructor Paul Klein.
Kapree, who is also part of The Krunk Movement in Hazelwood, has many credits on the group’s album “Su(Stained) Reality,” which was released on Earth Day this year.
INEZ remembers meeting the young star a few years ago at the WYEP Reimagination Project and being impressed by her poise and professionalism.
“There was just something very special about the way Aryana first walked into the room when I met her,” INEZ said. “She was 15 back then and taking constructive criticism in stride. Even the people we worked with said the same thing and mentioned how supportive she was of her peers. She’s always on it … she has the talent but also the stuff you can’t necessarily teach someone.”
Kapree said she’s been singing since she could speak. She first started making music at age 7 and began rapping about three years ago. The Swissvale native considers all of East End her stomping grounds and desires to show other teens in the area they can be successful, too. Music is part of her lineage — her grandfather owned a record label called Platinum Plus, her dad and uncles made music with that label, and her grandmother worked closely as a coordinator.
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“They made a lot of music and did a lot of shows in Vegas, and I would listen to my dad’s music and it would inspire me to do the same,” Kapree said.
Kapree said when she is making music, it’s about being completely in the zone and focused.
“It’s one of those diligent work days where you know you’re getting to the completion of a project, the time goes so fast you look up and the day is done. I know I’m making a good song when I’m there. It doesn’t always come like that; sometimes you have to get inspired, or sometimes you won’t write a full song. But that feeling is precious,” she said.
That’s how she felt when making one of her favorite songs to date, “Money to Me,” which also appears on “Su(Stained) Reality.”
She describes that song as controversial in a way that is positive and productive. It has many double entendres that she is proud of, and it shares a message about the environment and society that she feels strongly about.
“Where we come from, Black girls from the hood … there’s not a lot of opportunities that are presented to us this young and this early. I had to support her in doing this. I am excited for her,” INEZ said.
When people listen to her music, Kapree hopes they feel the essence of hip-hop.
“I hope people are open-minded enough to receive the messages, and I hope people find it to be positive,” she said. “In an industry like this, if you don’t love it and it is not passion and coming from within, it will run out. If you are working hard and seeing progress, then you are on the right path.”
At the threshold of such a major moment, Kapree is feeling an expanse of emotions.
“I’m looking forward to soaking up as much as I can and making my presence known, making as many connections that can benefit me in the future, and also being supportive to others as well,” Kapree said.
She said she desires to inspire and uplift. For other musicians her age who aspire to be successful in the industry, she emphasizes continuing to practice and keep going.
“I have a lot of faith in people and sometimes people just need that extra push to have that same faith in themselves,” Kapree said.