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American fashion model Ebony Riley, formerly known to fans as “Riley Montana,” has
spent the last eight years tearing up the catwalk for everyone from Marc Jacobs to
Oscar de la Renta, shooting elaborate campaigns for Givenchy and Balmain, and
appearing in exclusive editorial spreads for W, Vogue Paris and Harpers Bazaar.
However, as the millennial covergirl reveals, “Music was always on the menu.”
Born and raised on Detroit’s West Side, Ebony fondly recalls her
grandmother playing gospel music on repeat in the house, while her mother
introduced her to the classic sounds of ’90s R&B. She admits to being influenced by
the Clark sisters just as much as Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, and Erykah Badu. “I draw
from all of them in my work,” the singer makes clear.
Ebony believes her new, seven-song EP ebony is an opportunity to finally
introduce the world to the real Ebony, beyond the pretty pictures. Written and
recorded during the pandemic, she describes the project as “deeply personal” and
guarantees folks will play it from front to back. “I just want people to feel heard and
understood when they listen to my music. I want to take people on a journey.”
Ebony Riley is signed to Interscope Records.