Esi, pronounced AY see, is a first generation Ghanaian American and Nashville born songwriter whose sound broadens the lineage of alternative R&B; and neo soul. As an artist, she has opened nationally for Kirk Franklin, The Roots, Gary Clark Jr., Cimafunk, and Red Clay Strays, while performing internationally at venues including Blue Note Tokyo, The Fillmore, and the Grand Ole Opry. As a songwriter, Esi writes both for herself and others, with recent cuts including work on Letters in Love by Summer Joy, Element by Sheldon Smith, and Wine on Venus with Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge. At 22, she also works in music advocacy with The Recording Academy, while her love of performance and live music continues to shape both her songwriting and arrangements.