As a child, singer-songwriter Makinna Givens was often told she lacked a filter. But with the proper outlet, her candid nature has become a weapon in her arsenal of songwriting.

 

Makinna's writing style stems from a need to comprehend the human experience.

 

Whether it's her own story or that of another, she shares her most vulnerable thoughts and perspectives, building a deep trust with her audience.

 

Having been influenced by a cornucopia of genres growing up, Givens has become a truly versatile artist. Yet, she is most at home when straddling the borders of Country and Pop, with a little bit of belting and rasp for good measure.

 

Since Makinna's first performance at 15, where she stood up in front of her entire student body after only having first laid hands on a guitar the week prior, she went on to earn a diploma in songwriting, audio engineering, and music production at Fanshawe College. She was even awarded a full scholarship (the Slaight Family Scholarship) to the Metalworks Institute (which she, unfortunately, could not accept).

 

Makinna was selected as a participant for the 2024 Folk Music Ontario Developing Artist Program, and has recently released her debut single "If We Meet Again".