Official Yavi

My name is Iyana Penn, I am 17 years old and I was born and raised where I still remain, right here in Omaha, NE. I refer to myself and would like to be referred to by my performance name "Princess Yavi." 

I remember just a few years ago this was all just another dream I had that I would talk about wanting to be and do but I never seen it really happening. It was something I was exposed to as a little girl, I grew up in the church that my grandparents went to called Hope Lutheran. My mom, aunties, grandpa and grandma were all in the choir so music caught my eye early.I remember when I was in elementary I was attending Miller Park Elementary, and we had our first annual talent show. I was in I believe 5th grade and all I knew was I wanted to sing. I had it made up in my mind that I was going to be singing and I would feel like Beyoncé. I didn't think about the crowd, the fear, nor did I think about the comments. Well I decided to create my own song along with my bestfriend at the time, Jayla Milton. We made up this song called "I'm Gonna" and when I sing the lyrics to myself it was like what were we thinking. Because after that, a lot of people didn't think or have faith in me. They didn't think I could sing. And even after that just growing up I would sing and sing and sing, but many would laugh or tell me I can't sing and so I began believing it, which yes it did bring a lot of stage fright to me. But this was still my dream. So I would still find little things to get involved in and as I got older and my vocal cords expanded more and more, I had noticed I had gained more people who liked my voice then people who didn't.

Over the last 6/7 years I went through a lot. Being sexually abused, having a miscarriage, living door to door, group homes and detention facilities, and etc. And for along time I never knew what or why me until I took time to accept and face the obstacles that was being given to me. And I am glad because look at me now!

In the year of 2017, when I was placed in Uta halee academy that is where I found my music again. And I had found it so strong I knew at that moment this was meant to happen. I will never forget walking around every day with a notebook and a pen, and a lot of people didn't understand why I took it every where I went but I did. In September of 2017, I was going to go audition for American Idol, while placed in Uta halee. I was so excited and prepared and then the day of the staff told me that I wasn't going to be able to go. I felt so.. I really can't explain how I felt. It was like something I have looked forward to my whole life was finally here and it just got tossed in the trash right in front of my face. I was really humiliated because all my peers champed me on that morning and 'Good lucked" me. Although that happened I continued to thrive. I was apart of the Glee club and the Journalism club because I sing and song write. And thanks to both those groups, it helped me. Glee gave me opportunities to lose some of my stage fright, and to prepare me for what things I would face when I did finally make it up in the music business. Journalism is where I came up with my name "Princess Yavi". Now it's time for me to RISE.


Full Name- Iyana Penn
Performance Name- Princess Yavi
DOB- June.28th,2001
YouTube- Princess Yavi
Talent- Singer, Rapper, Song Writer
Age-17
Parents- Shameka Penn & Michael Liggins
Siblings- Nyla Penn, Javell Penn, Jwand Penn, Jazzari Penn, Mike Mike, Kyhia, Tommy Flowers
Employment Status- Working