Noah Cyrus for Beyond The Stage Magazine

WORDS BY DELANEY DEANGELIS AND PHOTOS BY ALYSSA BUZZELLO

In just a few short years, Noah Cyrus has become a breakout artist. In 2016, she signed a record deal with RECORDS, as well as releasing her debut single, “Make Me (Cry).”Since then, she’s released several singles, created huge collaborations, sold out her very first headlining show and even joined Katy Perry on tour. Now, the 18-year-old artist is focusing on creating her debut release, NC-17.

She from creating huge collaborations to selling out her first headlining show, to joining Katy Perry on tour.

“My sound, especially what everyone is about to hear, is left of center pop and a little darker than most pop songs,” said Cyrus. “This new chapter of my music will really show the darker side of the pop genre.”

Cyrus grew up in a musical household, with her father Billy Ray, sister Miley and brother Trace. Now, it’s her turn to join the spotlight.

“It’s gotten me extremely prepared for the good, bad and the ugly,” said Cyrus. “This business can add some wear and tear on a person and I’m extremely lucky to be aware of it from being around it so much.”

Cyrus draws inspiration from a variety of genres and artists. She loves hip hop and R&B, with Kanye West being her biggest inspiration from that genre. When it comes to more indie music, Cyrus said Ben Howard and Lana Del Rey have been inspirations for a long time.

“Honestly, it’s a hard question because I love so many artists and it’s hard to be put on the spot to pick a few,” she added. “I get so much inspiration from all types of artists in all types of genres.”

Showing the variety of her inspiration, Cyrus has many current favorite songs, including “The Way Life Goes” by Lil Uzi, “Barbie Tingz” by Nicki Minaj, “Moonlight” by XXXTentacion, “Bad Bad News” by Leon Bridges, “Night So Long” by Haim and “Uh Huh” by Somewhere Else.

In her music career so far, Cyrus has worked with some huge collaborations, including Labrinth for her debut track, Alan Walker for the track “All Falls Down” and MØ for her latest single, “We Are…”

“We Are…” is an anthemic pop take on being a teenager and the influence of social media.

“It’s kind of creating this false sense of reality for everyone. What you need to look like, wear and act like,” Cyrus said. “It’s about how we, as youth culture, are getting fucked up in the brain due to the circumstances online. If you don’t do the Instagram makeup look, you’re not pretty. That’s not right. It’s sad to think about people younger than me and little boys and girls who could have their confidence destroyed by social media exactly how mine was when I was younger.”

In addition to collaborations with other artists, opening up for Katy Perry and selling out her first headlining show, Cyrus performed at SXSW. “That was so much fun, so much yummy food too,” she said. “It was very different because you get to perform for mostly industry people.”

Behind Cyrus are her fans, also known as her Cyrens. Her dedicated fans have helped spread her music worldwide, and have supported her in this beginning stage of her career.

“I am grateful for all they have done to get me where I am and that this is only the beginning,” she said. “We still have more singles. More albums. And more years together. And that I love them so much for all their support and that they mean the world to me.”

For Cyrus, it’s important to connect and bond with her Cyrens online. Though “We Are…” comments on the negativity that comes from social media, it’s not all bad. Whether it’s doing a livestream or replying to fan comments, it’s a way to talk and deepen the relationship she has with her fans.

“It’s the only way you can truly build a relationship and can communicate with most of them so to build that bond online is extremely important,” she said.

Overall, Cyrus’ music is relatable. “Make Me (Cry)” is an authentic ballad about heartbreak, “Stay Together” embodies a wild and free teen spirit and “I’m Stuck” is all about crushes. Her music so far is eclectic, ranging from R&B influences to country-pop.

It’s only the beginning of Cyrus’ career, and she’ll be spending the rest of the year to focus on creating more music.

“I’m starting to really focus on the album and making sure that it’s a body of work that I’m truly proud of and that it really is something I want to show the world,” Cyrus said. “So I’ll be writing, and will be in the studio much more this year.”