I recently caught up with Southern songstress Jamiah to talk all things music and her favorite foods. Since I rarely get to feature snacks for Lhyme, I was especially excited about this one, Spicy Cajun Boiled Peanuts! A delicious Southern staple snack that’s perfect anytime of the year, especially in Summer. Check out the recipe below! 

Jamiah has been singing since she was about two years old. As a toddler, she’d run around the house making all kinds of noise, which her family jokingly called “screaming.” But in hindsight, they realized she was trying to sing. At the time, they’d often tell her to hush, until everything changed when she was five years old and led a solo at church. Her family was blown away. From that moment on, they stopped asking her to quiet down and instead began nurturing her talent. Recognizing her gift, her family enrolled her in voice lessons, as well as classes in guitar, piano, and dance, continuing to support her as she embarked on her musical journey. Soon after, Jamiah also found her way into acting and musical theater, further expanding her artistic expression. By the time she was nine, she knew without a doubt she wanted to be in music. While other kids were dreaming of becoming dentists or doctors, she was already certain she was meant to be in entertainment. Jamiah knew she had different dreams and wanted to see them through. Her early influences were a mix of pop, R&B, and gospel. One of her first albums was from Britney Spears, and she discovered JoJo around age 13—both left a huge impression. At home, her mom played legends like Toni Braxton and Whitney Houston. Around age 11, Jamiah fell in love with Mariah Carey’s songs, attempting whistle tones and diving deep into her singing style. Gospel music was also a major force, with artists like Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin helping to shape her sound.

 

 

The first time I heard Jamiah was through her viral cover of “Alive If I Die” (originally by Tori Kelly) performed with The Whitebelts. The cover takes a completely different direction with its 80s rock/pop vibe, filmed in Music City Vintage clothing store. I love everything about this cover! Initially, she didn’t expect much from the cover, but the band felt it had something special, and they were right. The performance went viral, showcasing her vocal power and versatility. What stands out most to me about Jamiah’s music is how impossible it is to box her into a single genre. She moves effortlessly between styles. One of my favorite songs by her is “Money”, which features a soft, acoustic vibe that lets her voice shine. Then there’s “Good on Me”, a confident, pop-leaning track where her vocals are bold and soulful. Jamiah’s vocal range is one of her biggest strengths, and it helps her bring a fresh energy to every song she creates.

 

 

So what’s next for Jamiah? She recently partnered with BMI and Songtrust at East Iris Studios in Nashville in March and hosted her first-ever writing camp, an experience she’d dreamed of for years. The camp brought together songwriters and producers to collaborate specifically on her music. For Jamiah, it was a beautiful and affirming moment, and she was deeply grateful to everyone who contributed their time and talent. Another special part of the writing camp was having her family involved in the process. They got to witness the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making music, involving long sessions, creative breakthroughs, and all the effort that fans don’t usually see. It gave them a new appreciation for her journey. And the result was a wave of new songs and projects on the horizon that explore a wide range of genres. Even though Jamiah has been in the music and performance industry for years, she still sees herself as a new artist to the public. The writing camp allowed her to freely experiment with sounds and styles as she continues to discover and define her voice. She refuses to be boxed into a single genre—whether it’s pop, R&B, rock, or gospel, she follows wherever inspiration leads, describing her process as creating whatever flows from God. 

 

 

Jamiah has also been touring with We The Kingdom, a band she first joined in 2021 as a background vocalist. She has returned to sing with them again in a more lead role, following their lead singer’s departure, while balancing her work with the band with her own music creation. True to her character, Jamiah prioritizes quality over quantity. She’s very intentional about every song release, making sure it reflects her heart and artistry. Above all, Jamiah wants her music to inspire self-worth, love, and connection for listeners. She believes everyone has a dream worth chasing, and through her music, she hopes to remind people that it’s possible as long as you put in the work. Her vision doesn’t stop at music: she dreams of writing a bestselling book, launching a fragrance, and one day headlining a sold-out tour. And judging by the path she’s on, she’s well on her way. Can’t wait to hear and see more from Jamiah! 

Follow Jamiah on Instagram

 

 

When it comes to food, Jamiah has no dietary restrictions and enjoys a wide variety of foods. She loves cooking and is quite skilled at it. She even prepared all the meals for her family over Christmas, which everyone loved, and she was proud of herself for doing so. While she avoids overly creamy or milky textures, like cream cheese, she still enjoys dishes like pasta if the cream is well-blended and not visible. She’s a big meat-eater and loves all kinds of meat and seafood, including raw seafood. She also enjoys vegetables, garlicky pasta, and dishes with bold flavors. Cooking runs in her family; her grandmother owns a beloved soul food restaurant called Ivery’s Restaurant in Thomson, Georgia, known for its fried chicken, greens, green beans, and fatback. It’s a staple in the area and always has a line out the door on Sundays.

Jamiah also loves Asian cuisine, whether it’s Japanese, Thai, or any Asian-inspired dish with ginger or garlic. She follows a high-protein diet as a carnivore. She tries to stay in a calorie deficit, often choosing bunless burgers or making hearty cabbage soups with vegetables and ground beef or turkey. She’s not much of a snacker, but when she does, it’s usually a Chomps beef stick or fresh fruit. Her all-time favorite snack is Cajun boiled peanuts, especially the Peanut Patch brand. 

Everyone who knows me is like Jam’s favorite food is crab legs and boiled peanuts. That is the epitome of me.

She’s not big on sweets but does enjoy chocolate chip cookies or brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. She also loves authentic red velvet cake, not just a red-dyed chocolate cake. For this feature, I decided to make spicy Cajun boiled peanuts in Jamiah’s honor. This snack is addictive and absolutely delicious for those with a spicy snack palate. Boiled peanuts can also be enjoyed without the spicy kick; simply add your favorite seasonings and plug in your crockpot or boil on the stovetop. Check out the recipe below! 

 

 

Cajun Boiled Peanuts

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs raw peanuts (dried, in the shell)
  • 1 (3-ounce) package dry crab boil (I used Zatarain’s Dry Crawfish, Shrimp & Crab Boil)
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (like Slap Ya Mama or Tony Chachere’s)
  • 1/2 cup, sliced pickled spicy jalapeños (not mild)
  • 1/4 cup salt
  • 6 cloves of garlic, crushed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • water to cover the peanuts

Directions

  1. Rinse the peanuts thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt.
  2. Place peanuts in a large Dutch oven or stockpot. Add enough water to cover them completely by at least 2 inches.
  3. Stir in Cajun seasoning, crab boil, salt, garlic, jalapeños, red pepper flakes, bay leaves, and vinegar.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for at least 5 hours and up to 8 hours until tender.
  5. Once tender, turn off the heat and allow the peanuts to soak in the seasoned brine overnight. Be sure to refrigerate them during this time.
  6. Serve warm or cold, straight from the shell. Enjoy!