Master’s student by day and musician all the time, Syante is taking the Los Angeles music scene by storm. 

Syante’s new single, “A Little Sunshine,” a bright pop beat with glittering acoustic elements, tells the story of hitching a ride from a stranger, was released on March 7. After winning The Perfect Stranger Songwriting contest through Future Youth Records — a social justice-themed label focused on artists ages 18-24 — Syante recorded her song at Stagg Street Studio alongside industry icons like producer Jesse Colin Young, lead singer of The Youngbloods; prolific drummer Kenny Aronoff, Wings guitarist Laurence Juber; and Gov’t Mule bassist Jorgen Carlsson.

As a master’s student studying communication management, Syante brings a fresh energy to her songwriting. Using a character-based perspective allows her to find the light in any situation, as she does in her recent release “Downhill.”

“It’s like an angry breakup song, but it’s actually about a fallout I had with my previous landlord, who seemed very nice at first, and then they started acting super sketchy later, and I was like, ‘What’s going on?’” Syante said.

Syante’s ability to write compelling songs about her daily experiences and encounters with strangers propelled her to win the contest. The spirit of collaboration is alive in her work, both through working with her bandmates and using the inspiration she finds from simply observing the world around her. 

“She sat us down at our rehearsal, and she was teaching us the tune, and she told us a story about her experience with getting a ride from a stranger back from a gig. I was honestly pretty amazed that almost a mundane story [was] made into such an elaborate song,” said Huckleberry Young, a drummer who works with Syante and a freshman majoring in jazz studies.

Syante works with industry professionals and student musicians from the Thornton School of Music alike to develop her songs, creating the drum parts with both Davis Armstrong, a sophomore majoring in music industry, and Young. 

The combination of Syante’s passion for music and her studies in a separate field makes her somewhat of a Renaissance woman. Her ability allows for a unique flow of inspiration that can come from anywhere she looks, whether she’s dealing with a sketchy landlord or breaking unspoken rules in L.A. and hitching rides from complete strangers. 

“She took a bunch of songwriting classes to my knowledge, but she didn’t major in anything music. So she has a totally different perspective that also makes it really interesting,” Armstrong said. 

Syante’s ability to be fearless in making new connections has paid off, exemplifying how the confidence to put yourself out there and be vulnerable is just as important as the music itself. A few years ago, she reached out to USC alum and freelance music and sound professional Jeremy Scott Olsen, who instantly saw her spark. 

“Even at such a young age, it was stunning how much consistent hard work she was already putting in, and that has borne out over the last couple years as well; she just hasn’t stopped. And it’s very, very impressive. It’s the sort of work that if you keep it up, you will get somewhere,” Olsen said. 

Syante is certainly on her way, as evidenced by her first-place win in the Future Youth Records contest. Equal parts down-to-earth and persistent, her writing and her attitude helped her to stand out. In a music industry obsessed with formulas, her organic process and free-flowing happy energy set her apart from musicians who prioritize fame over craft.

“I hear a line in a conversation, or I just overhear someone else, and that sparks inspiration, and I note it down on my phone,” Syante said.

These ideas transform into melodic incantations, grounded by rhythmic drumming. Her catchy lyrics and engaging instrumentation draw the listener into a fantastical world of pop. The experience of listening to a Syante song carries all of the excitement of listening to your favorite Disney Channel star’s music as a kid — it’s smart, effortless and fun to bop your head to. 

“A Little Sunshine” embodies light from the first instant, paralleling a sunrise as the track develops. It feels like being a main character in “Aquamarine” (2006) or in your favorite nostalgic summer movie. “Downhill” is equally fun to listen to, but reveals Syante’s versatility with its dramatic electric guitar riffs and groovy timing. 

For Jason Wall, music producer and founder of Future Youth Records, Syante’s personal approach to writing pop-rock set her apart from hundreds of submissions. As an industry professional, Wall knows all too well how the music scene has shifted from authentic to corporate. His record label celebrates artists like Syante who have the unique ability to give themselves permission to grow and evolve through their music. 

“Art is a gift, and if we can change hearts and minds through music, well, ultimately, we [would] have a different world in front of us than maybe we have today,” Wall said.

Syante’s dreamy storytelling and drive to bring themes of confidence and empowerment to the forefront of her music have allowed for a memorable entrance into the industry.

“I hope to inspire people to do whatever it is they want to do in their life, irrespective of what they’re told to do or what people tell them that they should be doing,” Syante said.