South African singer songwriter Ashlinn Gray comes fourth in songwriting competition
JOBURG – Ashlinn Gray is on a winning streak – in her art and in life.
Ashlinn Gray definitely isn’t that ‘little bird falling out of its cage’.
The lyrics of the South African singer-songwriter are testament to the fact that age should not stop you from achieving your dreams.
Her hit single Nineteen finally caught the attention of international establishments and received an honourable mention in last year’s International Songwriting Competition.
After receiving mass airplay across local radio stations, the upbeat pop song – which was written as a critique on the insignificance placed on the 19-year-old songstress (the singer’s age at the time) – came fourth in the adult contemporary category of the competition.
With more than 16 000 entries from 137 countries, this is a remarkable achievement and is proof that South African songwriters are meeting international standards.
The song was written together with fellow songwriters Jake Odendaal and Simeon Kriel.
Gray is also a motivational speaker and style icon, challenging tired preconceptions and teaching the youth to live with purpose.
Through her music, she hopes to navigate the complexities of being young in today’s world, playing with the elements of light and dark in her search for truth and authenticity.
Commenting on the songwriting process of Nineteen, Gray said, “Turning 19 felt like it was missing a milestone, but through writing this song with my team, 19 became a significant year. This award was another great colour to add to my blank canvas. Age really is just a number and it’s what you do with your time that makes each year significant.”
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
Read more about the young singer here
