Atiya Rafiah El-Amin, professionally known as Rafiah Sol, is a multifaceted vocalist, recording artist, producer, creative director, performing-arts educator, coach, and founder of 3ATIYA ENTERPRISES. Her journey from New Jersey to Los Angeles has been shaped by reinvention, resilience, and breaking barriers as a Black woman working across performance, production, education, and entrepreneurship. What sets her apart is her ability to see the entire creative ecosystem surrounding an idea, a vision reflected in The Legacy Collection, her multimedia project dedicated to preserving cultural stories and connecting generations. As she enters an exciting new chapter with upcoming music releases, international performance opportunities, and expanded film and legacy projects, Rafiah Sol remains committed to creating meaningful work that honors the past while inspiring the future.

Here is the Q&A session we had with Atiya Rafiah El-Amin.

Atiya Rafiah El-Amin As Cover Story Interview – August 2026 Magazine Edition

How do you introduce yourself?

I’m Atiya Rafiah El-Amin, a professional vocalist and recording artist known as Rafiah Sol, as well as a music and film producer, creative director, performing-arts educator and coach, and founder of 3ATIYA ENTERPRISES.

Born in Trenton and raised in Ewing and Allentown, New Jersey, my creative journey began at 13 through Vessels of Praise, serving the Trenton community as a creative director, playwright and dancer. I later graduated from Rider University and attended AMDA, which brought me to Los Angeles, where I was signed to the independent label 417 Artists.

Over the years, my work as a performer has taken me to stages including the Honda Center, Newark Symphony Hall, NBC Studios, Cicada Club, Barbara Morrison’s historic Leimert Park venue, West Angeles Cathedral and the NAACP Theatre Awards. I danced with legendary choreographer Chester Whitmore’s C.A.D.E. company, performed alongside artists including Mary Mary and Vickie Winans, to name a few, opened shows for Busta Rhymes, and have performed internationally in Japan, the Bahamas and Puerto Rico.

Behind the scenes, I’ve worked as a music and live-show producer, vocal producer and ghost songwriter with Grammy Award-winning producers, while continuing my work as a performing-arts educator and coach for celebrity and high-profile clients.

Today, those experiences converge through Rafiah Sol and 3ATIYA ENTERPRISES, where my mission is to enrich, educate and entertain while bridging generations through music, storytelling and legacy.

Struggle – What hardships have you gone through in life?

One of my greatest challenges has been continually reinventing myself while refusing to allow other people to define what I’m capable of.

Moving from New Jersey to California meant learning how to survive, rebuild and establish myself in an entirely different environment and industry. As a Black woman working as both a producer and vocalist in Hollywood, I’ve experienced the challenge of being seen and taken seriously, particularly behind the scenes in spaces where Black women remain underrepresented.

I’ve also navigated major professional transitions, from educator, dancer and model to music and film producer, entrepreneur, songwriter, and professional recording and performing vocalist. I’ve had to begin again more than once, but I’ve learned that none of those chapters were wasted. Every version of me was preparing me for the next one.

What do people usually not know about you?

People are often surprised by how much of my work happens behind the scenes. Someone may see me sing and not realize I produce, or know me as an educator without knowing my history in dance, modeling, songwriting, film and artist development.

What people may not realize is that I don’t consider those separate identities. The dancer informs the performer. The educator informs the mentor. The vocalist informs the producer. And the filmmaker influences how I visualize music.

I eventually realized I wasn’t meant to fit into one box. I was meant to build a world large enough to hold all of it.

What sets you apart from others?

I have an ability to see the entire ecosystem surrounding an idea. I don’t simply hear a song. I can see its movement, visual language, live performance, film, audience and the larger story surrounding it.

A major expression of that vision is The Legacy Collection, an ongoing multimedia preservation project created to bridge generations by documenting men and women whose lives and contributions helped shape Black community, culture, music, fashion and entertainment, while showing how their impact continues to shape who we are today.

The first book and documentary installment centers Ira Blackman, while my mentor Chester Whitmore is confirmed as the subject of Book and Episode Two. Chester is an internationally recognized dancer, choreographer and entertainer whose extensive career includes work with legendary artists such as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and Usher, among others.

I’m producing these stories while also developing their musical landscape, connecting legendary artists and musicians, including musicians connected to the Motown era, with a new generation of creatives. My vision is for that history to live through books, film, original soundtracks and even elements of my own live performances.

For me, it’s about honoring those who came before us, connecting them with the generation creating now, and preserving their stories for generations still to come.

What are your upcoming major events?

This is an exciting new chapter for me as recording artist Rafiah Sol.

On August 28, 2026, I’m releasing a three-song EP accompanied by behind-the-scenes videos, visual storytelling and AI-created teasers. One of the songs features my mentor, Chester Whitmore, making the release especially meaningful because mentorship and artistic lineage are deeply connected to my journey.

On October 14, my birthday, I’ll release an expanded six-song project. I call my birthday my “New Moon”, my personal new year and a celebration of rebirth, intention and stepping into a new season of myself and my artistry.

That journey leads into Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2027, with the release of my full Love Letters album, its companion book and full music videos.

I’ve also recently received invitations to Paris and Spain to perform, and I’m excited about developing those opportunities and continuing to expand internationally.

Alongside my artist releases, I’m continuing to develop The Legacy Collection, live performances, film and music productions, and artist-development and community programming through 3ATIYA ENTERPRISES.

What expert advice would you like to give?

My advice is: stop believing that everything you did before your breakthrough was wasted time. Sometimes your path only makes sense when you look backward.

Learn your craft, but also learn the business behind your craft. Understand ownership. Protect your intellectual property. Develop your discipline and character as intentionally as you develop your talent.

I also encourage younger creatives to learn from the generations before them. Innovation doesn’t require erasing history. We can honor what came before us while creating what comes next.

And never allow an industry, algorithm, title, trend or another person to determine the value of your voice.

Success isn’t simply being seen. For me, it’s creating something meaningful enough to remain after the spotlight moves somewhere else.

Your social media handles and website links?

• Website: 3atiyaent.org
• Social Media: @3ATIYAENT
• Recording Artist: Rafiah Sol