Today we’d like to introduce you to Rian (NorVA Reign) Haley.
Hi Rian (NorVA Reign), it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up surrounded by music. My dad is a bass player and he was always playing his bass or blasting music in the house thru the stereo system. I remember always getting told not to sit so close the speakers, but I always wanted to FEEL the music. Especially the bass. I wanted to be completely engulfed in the sounds. I’d sit there for hours if they let me with my eyes closed just taking it all in. So eventually, I ended up picking up the bass. Dad started teaching me, but I played by ear. I’d watch him and copy what I saw. It was always gospel or funk. Fred Hammond. Cheryl Lynn.
Now simultaneously, over these same years, my Grandma Berdie, started me journaling. She would make me write every night before bed. And I grew a love for writing. First my thoughts or how my day went. Then short stories. I’d even write plays, but what really
Intrigued me was poetry. Haikus, iambic pentameter. But what really got me was the ballads and free verses. I started winning all the poetry contests in school and performing them for talent shows. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school where I ran into a rapper named Kanine who saw me writing and snatched my rhyme book and told me I was dope and should put my poetry to music. It took some time to convince me, but eventually, I found myself in College Square, his bedroom closet that doubled as a recording booth, and I recorded my first hook. And at first I hated the sound of my voice. Then I got confident. I found my flow. And I got addicted to going to the studio. We went from recording in his closet, to spending days at a time in Tower Studios in Portsmouth. I was blessed to be in important rooms and meet amazing people in the process. It wasn’t until during this time however, that I got to see the dark side of the industry. I was offered at 360 deal that I knew wouldn’t benefit me in the long-run. And in combination with a lot of other things, this made me pull away from doing music altogether. At 19, I stopped doing music completely. And it wasn’t until almost a decade later that I stepped foot into another studio space. I’d moved on with life. I’d had a pretty successful career in sales, I’d been married. Divorced. I was now a mother of two. Music was the last thing on my mind and I’d been convinced it was even selfish to pursue as a single mother, so I left it alone. Then I met Calvin; I was that little girl in front of the speakers again. Sonically engulfed. And the music ignited something in me that I thought was dead. I couldn’t help but to start writing again. And eventually, I recorded and released my first single, Tis the Season in 2019. From there I continued to release singles here and there, until finally releasing my first album, 1222, on December 22, 2022. This album was in memory of my son Adrian who passed away on December 22, 2016. I say that in past tense because I just found out today that the album was deleted. Thats ok because I will be releasing a live version on 12-22-26. Since 2022, I’ve released many singles, featured on several songs and written for artists like BJ Griffin, to include his songs Sci-Fi and Are You Ready. See that’s thing, as much as I enjoy my artistry, I equally enjoy writing for artists of all different genres. From hip-hop and r&b, to country and rock, I write it all. In addition to my rap album, 1222 Revived, I do have a r&b album coming Valentine’s Day 2027, entitled “Toxic”. In the meantime, I will continue to be the best mother I can be to my three boys, excel at my adjacent career in fitness and modeling, and never stop chasing my dreams!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s had its ups and downs. There was a point where I felt guilty for pursing my music as a single mom, but children are my biggest fans! Initially, I struggled with confidence because I had so many people in my ear with their opinions. When I stopped caring what people think, my anxiety and low self esteem went out the window
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a rapper with r&b tendencies. I love the sound and feel of r&b but the grit of boom bap rap. I’m most known for my storytelling and songwriting. Also pretty well known for my sense of style and fashion. I’m most proud of my ability to adapt and connect, no matter what room I’m put in. My cadence, tone, delivery and unique approach to music sets me apart from others
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Staying humble and staying true to my faith in Jesus Christ, no matter how successful I am, and always serving others
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @norva_reign_
