IMANI is a 16 year-old singer-songwriter who came to national attention after collaborating on Say You Do, a dance-pop track with Sigila and DJ Fresh that reached number one in the Itunes chart earlier this year. The song also placed at number five in the general singles chart.

Half-Bajan and a graduate of the Brit School, Imani is currently at work on a debut album and plays the main stage at this year’s Brighton Pride Festival at Preston Park.

She tells EDWIN GILSON about her big break and being a “normal 16 year-old.”

Hi Imani, how are you?

I’m good thanks, in the studio!

We’ll see you here on Saturday at Pride – what does Pride mean to you?

It’s just a positive event, and everyone has so much fun. Everyone comes together to celebrate, and I think it’s a great day to be part of.

Have you attended any Pride events before?

I’ve never been to one where I’m not performing my own songs, but I did Birmingham Pride earlier this year, a few months ago, which was amazing. I’m really excited now to see what Brighton is like, and Manchester.

Will Brighton Pride be the biggest gig you’ve performed so far, or does any other show topple it?

I did Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium, which was pretty insane. 80,000 people! But you know what, the thing that separates Pride from any other show is the energy.

In Birmingham I was really shocked by how lively and hyped-up everyone was. I loved it, it was insane.

Say You Do has all the ingredients to be a Pride anthem. For those who might not be familiar with your other music, is this representative of your sound in general?

It was obviously great collaborating with Sigila on that song, but that was a mix of both of our sounds.

My own sound is more moving towards the pop style, which you’ll hear with other singles to come. For now, though, I’m really enjoying the uptempo dance stuff. It’s really upbeat.

Did you start playing songs with guitar and piano, with the electronic side being introduced when you started to collaborate with other artists?

Yeah, definitely. That was the process of it. I grew up with garage and house music, though, and I’m in love with early 2000s music. That was a big part of my childhood.

In terms of influences, you’ve been likened to Rihanna in some quarters – is this a relevant comparison? Who are your music idols?

I love Mariah Carey, obviously, and we have a sample of her in Say You Do. TLC and Ariana Grande, too. A lot of the vocally amazing people.

Were you surprised at the success of Say You Do? Did you know it could be a chart-topper when you first heard it in the studio?

It was crazy. I was 16 when it came out, and it was just crazy from being in the studio with Sigila to it getting into the top 5 UK charts, and topping the dance chart and Itunes.

I knew I liked it, but I had no idea it would go that big. It literally just came from a bad experience with a boy, and became a hit. I can’t complain really.

You must be in-demand off the back of that, both from collaborators and annoying journalists like me. How has life changed?

It’s changed in some ways, but not in others – I’ve just finished school, and I’m a normal 16 year-old. I still see my friends. Obviously I’m a lot busier now, but I’ve changed in the sense that I’m really doing what I love. Performing at festivals and everything – it’s nice that I can do this regularly.

How did you find the Brit School?

I was only there for a short while, but it’s definitely a good foundation for anyone who loves to be creative and pursue something.

Obviously everybody around you is creative, and doing the same thing as you. I was actually home-schooled for a while, too, when I signed my record deal.

Your singing teacher linked you up with the label Tileyard Music when you were 14 – did you have to perform an audition for them?

It was crazy – I was so nervous. They got me in a studio to write with a producer, and I wrote literally half a song when they signed me on the spot. That was really insane. It kind of just took off from there.

Have you been writing for an upcoming album, or any form of release?

I am now, yeah. I find the creative process isn’t about overworking yourself, it’s just working with an idea that you have, or an inspiration for a song.

It’s about getting together with great people who you can trust, getting a team together and working on a great piece of music. You can’t force yourself to write a hit – it doesn’t come that way.

Will you continue to collaborate with other artists, or are you aiming more to produce the kind of pop songs you referred to earlier?

I love working with other people – it’s a great way to introduce new ideas and keep things fresh. It all just helps, really.

Have you played in Brighton before? What do you make of it?

You know what, I haven’t! My aunty actually lives there, but I’ve never been to see or play a gig there. I’m excited for it.

Imani, Brighton Pride Festival, Preston Park, Saturday, August 6, 12 - 10pm, tickets from £25, visit: www.brighton-pride.org