Next Wave: Makenna Lyric 

Makenna Lyric is a 23-year-old Black lesbian ambient folk artist whose music is as intimate as it is expansive. Meet our November Next Wave artist, who is innately grateful to be transmuting her life experiences through art.

Originally from Montana and now based in Atlanta, she has released two EPs and one full-length album entitled Leap! This body of work captures the soul-searching depth and honesty she brings to her craft.

“My music is something to sink into, it’s something to sit with,” Makenna explains. “I create with the intention of taking emotional weight and putting it into something tangible. Music making is like an honest conversation with myself.”

Makenna’s sound is rich with guitar and harmony, which she now joins with the sounds of viola, inviting listeners into a space of reflection and emotional resonance. Her influences are a mix of family and discovery.

“The foundation of my music influence is Mary J. Blige, Deniece Williams, and Tracy Chapman, who my parents would often play around the house. This shaped the soulful/folk sound that I feel naturally drawn to,” she says.

Later, artists like Moses Sumney and Nick Hakim expanded her perspective, showing her the beauty of genre-blending and vocal layering.

“Their delicate but complex vocal layering is something that undoubtedly shaped my sound, as well as their instrumentation,” Makenna adds.

Her community of fellow artists, including Nena Hayes, Christelle Bofale, and Reggie Pearl, also fuel her creative fire. Makenna’s journey has been grounded in self-discovery and resilience. From childhood, she has been actively nurturing her gifts of songwriting and performance.

“I’ve been writing songs and singing in talent shows since I was a child,” she adds.

Early experiments on piano, violin, and self-taught guitar led to recording on GarageBand, which eventually led to the release of her first track on SoundCloud in 2018. Since moving to Atlanta, she’s grown in production, performance, and artistic confidence.

This November, as Thanksgiving invites reflection, Makenna emphasizes gratitude in her process.

“As I create, oftentimes I’m internally processing things like loss, heartbreak, etc,” she revealed. “I appreciate that music gives me an outlet for these inevitable human experiences, however painful they may be. I’m grateful in general to be experiencing life and learning the lessons I was meant to.”

While she critiques the holiday’s historical context, she values the time to “slow down and prioritize gratitude” with loved ones.

Makenna’s art also serves others. She’s performed at PSL ATL events like Till It’s Done: Black August Concert and shows raising awareness on issues such as the economic blockade on Cuba. Currently pursuing a degree in social work, she blends her music with activism. Makenna’s also utilizing her craft to illuminate stories, nurture community, and challenge injustice.

The gifted singer’s personal superpower is attention to detail.

“I like to build tension in songs through stacked harmonies and guitar layering,” she told us. “I’m very intentional with my lyrics, and I’m a perfectionist when it comes to production.”

This meticulous approach, paired with her authenticity, creates a sound and space that feels profoundly personal yet universally resonant.

Looking ahead, Makenna is excited for the next chapter. She hopes to fully prioritize her music after completing her degree. She anticipates exploring more collaborations and creating visual experiences for her songs.

For fellow artists seeking to carve their own path, she advises: “Listen to the force that guides you to create, instead of aiming to appeal to the masses. Also, don’t shame yourself for not always feeling that creative spark. With time away from your craft comes life experiences to write about.”

Makenna Lyric is cultivating a sanctuary for feeling, gratitude, and authentic expression, inviting listeners to lean into both vulnerability and joy this holiday season. Her voice will blow you away. Don’t be late to this next wave.

Be sure to follow Makenna Lyric’s journey here.