Move over mansplainers! Kipani is about to enlighten you. Bringing a sound of her own, singer-songwriter Kipani is a visionary for equality in the music industry. Kipani’s new single “Enlighten Me” is a unique blend of genres and has a very specific goal: to empower women. In our interview with Kipani, we dive into the struggles and obstacles that women creators face in the male-dominated music industry and discuss how Kipani as an artist has used music to push-back against stereotypes of women that negatively impact their artistic endeavors. Kipani’s art is not only self-expression but a demonstrative outlet of the dynamic force of feminine creativity. For more on Kipani please read our exclusive interview below.

Where are you based?
I’m based in Binghamton, NY.

How did your passion for music develop?
My passion for music developed at a young age when my sister and I started learning the piano. At the time I definitely took it for granted, but I appreciate knowing an instrument now more than ever.

We have noticed that you use your given name, Tiffany Jhingoor, to credit yourself on your tracks. Can you tell us more about how you chose your artist name, “Kipani”?
Yea, it’s a fun story actually. My mom travels for work and she spends a lot of her time living in Maui. She used to send me little things with the Hawaiian language on them, key chains, ornaments, etc, and Kipani actually means Tiffany in Hawaiian. It’s something that just kind of stuck, but I love it.

Your new single “Enlighten Me” demonstrates that it’s difficult to classify Kipani in a single genre -- though we can definitely hear some pop and alt-rock elements. How would you describe your music?
I always find one of the hardest things is to try and categorize myself into a specific genre because you're right, it really is a mix of influences. I would describe my music as indie-pop rock with a slight theatrical undertone because it tends to be piano-driven. We might have to invent a new genre because I’m not really sure what that sound would fall under!

What or who has been influential in creating the distinct “Kipani” sound?
I’d be lying if I said that my musical theater background has no influence in my music because it was such a huge part of my life for so long. I think you can definitely hear that come through slightly in the style of my sound itself. I am also a big lover of indie alternative and find myself being heavily influenced by that genre when I’m writing. So basically a weird fusion of two things that don’t really go together, that’s the “Kipani” sound haha.

“Enlighten Me” is all about female empowerment and is an anthem for female creatives. Can you give us more insights into what inspired this song? We would love to hear more about your creative process in writing the lyrics.
Absolutely! This song was unique in the sense that it kind of wrote itself. At the time I had just hit a breaking point from people giving me unsolicited “advice”. Being a female in this very male-dominated industry is not always easy. There are constantly people who feel the need to give you their input on how they think you should manage your career. I spent years being the “chick on the hook” for male artists and struggled to break away from that and be taken seriously by producers as a solo singer-songwriter. This song was written out of frustration and as a way to process those feelings. I realized how much of a shame it is that women still have these stigmas attached to them not only in the music industry but in life in general. I wanted to write something that was an empowering, sarcastic, expression meant to lift up anyone who has ever been made to feel inferior. It is fun, upbeat, and delicately walks the line of breaking that glass ceiling we have all become so familiar with.

In “Enlighten Me” you incorporate elements of sarcasm with lyrics like “-enlighten me, cause apparently, I don't know anything, how will I go on?". The musical clap-back is a perfect balance of specific and general. What are your thoughts on how sarcasm can be used as a tool for empowerment? What role does it play in bolstering the message of your song?
So I’m actually a super shy and passive person by nature. It’s very hard for me to be direct sometimes. The sarcasm was my way of making a bold statement without being confrontational. I actually think it is more effective than saying things outright because it creates a sense of discomfort and inferiority for the ones targeted. Which is ironic to me because it’s almost like the use of sarcasm throughout causes the tables to turn in a way.

The music video has some very powerful visuals associated with color, especially in the contrast between the white dresses and white chairs in the first half of the video and the colorful dresses and smoke bombs in the second half. White has a long history of carrying symbolic ideas of purity and innocence in terms of female representation. Is this part of the message you were hoping to counter with using the color white?
I’m so glad you noticed that! Yes, everything about the color choices was intentional in this video. You describe the exact reasoning behind those decisions. I wanted all of that white imagery so that when the contrasting change happened when finally broke out of those labels and our “innocence”, it would really hit.

We love how direct the music video is with critiquing the labels that women carry, as you all wear signs with words associated with negative stereotypes of women in power like “bossy” and “overachiever.” Can you give us more of your insight into how these stereotypes play into the perception of women in your industry?
Isn’t so sad that I still have to answer questions like these! Those negative stereotypes follow women everywhere. We specifically chose all the words used in the video based on things that we have actually been categorized as in the past. If a man in the industry (or any field for that matter) is driven and takes control, he’s a leader. If that were a female in the same position she would be considered “bossy”. I’ve been called self-absorbed for simply promoting projects I’m really excited about and it’s just discouraging. Hopefully, one day that will not be the case, we just all have to do better about lifting others up instead of being so quick to knock each other down.

How have you been able to find ways to counter the culture of “mansplaining” in your interactions with creatives who have put you in a situation in which you are meant to feel inferior?
I do tons of research and make sure that I have good knowledge about the inner workings of any unique situation I enter. It helps me to be more confident and gives me the opportunity to deflect any form of “mansplaining” that might come my way. It’s more difficult for people to make you feel inferior if you enter with a full understanding to counter with.

Your song is mixed and mastered by a man, Dave Rice. What was it like to work with a man on this type of content?
Dave is great and he was fully behind this idea. He’s a “self-proclaimed feminist” as he likes to say haha.

What advice would you have for other female creatives who find themselves in less than optimal or toxic creative relationships?
Oh man, I’ve been there and it sucks. It took me a long time to gain the confidence to realize that I was enough and I could succeed on my own. My advice would be to always trust your instincts and never let anyone make you feel insecure about your art. If you love it then that’s all that matters. Stand behind yourself 100% of the time!

You released an EP in June in which all the proceeds went to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Can you tell us more about why you chose this organization?
The NAACP Legal Defense Fund is amazing. It’s a leading United States civil rights organization and law firm based in NYC. Not only are they known for litigation but they also focus on areas including educational outreach, coalition-building, and distribution of scholarships among other things. I just wanted to help support this iconic organization that has been instrumental in creating others like it, even if it is just in a small way.

As a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, what sort of impact do you hope it has in the music industry? Additionally, how can music help with the fight for racial equality, social justice, and the call for urgent legislative reform?
I hope that more musicians use their platform to keep bringing awareness to this cause. People are starting to listen so now is the time to speak up. The fight for Black lives and equality is not a trendy moment but an ongoing struggle. Music can serve as anthems both fueling and educating the world. The music industry is continuing to charge for justice and progress has been made, but it goes without saying that much more is still needed.

What can we expect next from you? Is there anything we should keep on our radar?
I have some exciting new things planned for 2021. I’m hoping to be able to play live as much as I can when it’s safe to do so but in the meantime, I’ve been working hard in the studio so you can expect to see some upcoming single releases and maybe even an EP in the very near future!

How are you staying positive during shelter at home?
As predictable as it might sound, music really does help me to stay centered so writing has become even more of a positive outlet for me through all this. I’ve also been trying to cut myself some slack and have been making an effort to celebrate even the smallest accomplishments.

What is your life motto?
YOLO...I know it’s so corny but in reality, it just makes sense (within reason of course, I’m not saying we should all go base jumping just because we can haha). We only have one life and it’s important to live it the way we see fit. I don’t want to wake up one day full of regrets from chances I didn’t take.

Please list any websites and/or social media you would like Jejune to promote:
www.kipanimusic.com
Instagram: kipanimusic
Facebook: kipanimusic

Photography by Melissa Mosher.

"Enlighten Me" and the Power of Sarcasm - Kipani