Ripping the City with Zyah Belle, Portland’s Rihanna-Approved R&B Vocalist

Californians, as a rule, love moving to Portland. Less common are singers who leave the Golden State to pursue a music career up here. For R&B vocalist Zyah Belle, though, the move was just what she needed to get her creative juices flowing. Before the 32-year-old decamped to the Rose City in November 2020, she was living in LA, making music with Snoop and touring with Kanye West’s Sunday Service. Since her relocation, she’s released an EP, 2021’s Who’s Listening Anyway, and an album, Yam Grier, which she took on her Electric Honey tour in 2024—a year that also delivered a cosign from Rihanna, who urged her, via DM, to release the now-viral single “Lyin.”

Belle has transitioned from golden locs to a blonde fade, ushering in a fresh era of style and sound, with new music arriving this spring. And while she strategizes videos and social rollouts from Portland, she still often records in California, in an effort to keep home life separate. “So much of my work has me traveling, and so much of my work is very high energy,” Belle says. “I enjoy the simplicity that Portland brings to me.”

Favorite artist? Jill Scott. 

Favorite local place(s) to clear your mind? Trail of 10 Falls—and my balcony. I have a cute little city view.  

Favorite part about spring? All the beautiful flowers and cherry blossoms. I love seeing the color return to the city. 

Go-to Portland restaurants to take out-of-towners? Akadi. The suya wings are a must. Eem is also one of my favorites. 

Food you hate that everyone seems to love? Mumbo sauce (bigger in DC than in PDX).

A local shop that feels like Portland’s best-kept secret? 2nd Street secondhand store. 

Favorite book? The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Favorite TV show? Girlfriends. 

Eternal playlist song? Lalah Hathaway’s live version of “Angel” with Robert Glasper.

Favorite Oregon road trip? The coast. Lincoln City was my first Oregon road trip.

Spring dish you love? Sushi, or a sandwich from Snappy’s. 

Who’s your hero? My mom. She’s one of the most resilient, creative, fly humans I ever met. 

Best advice you’ve received? Don’t put pressure on yourself for your life to look a certain way at a certain time.

Worst advice you’ve received? That I should care what other people think. 

Scariest career moment? When I moved to Los Angeles. 

What’s your mantra? I have everything that I need. 

The best gift you’ve received? My engagement ring.

What excites you the most about the future of Portland? That there’s so much still for me to explore and discover. 

Three words that describe Portland? Creative. Home. Different. 

Three words that describe you? Bold. Confident. Authentic.