Ebony Riley

About

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 Harper’s 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.”