Dani Ivory Turns Pain Into Power With “Hope,” a Soulful Anthem for Finding Light in the Dark

When life stood still during the pandemic, Dani Ivory found her voice again. The Nashville-based artist, known for her work with Beyoncé, CeeLo Green, and Imagine Dragons, steps into the spotlight with her latest single “Hope,” a deeply personal track written during the quiet chaos of new motherhood and global uncertainty.

Created shortly after the birth of her daughter, “Hope” captures the vulnerability and strength that come from starting over. The song’s delicate piano, soulful vocals, and raw lyrics create a space where exhaustion, love, and perseverance coexist. It’s not just a song about survival but about rediscovering belief in yourself when everything feels heavy.

Ivory’s decade-long career has taken her across the world’s biggest stages, but “Hope” marks a new era of authenticity and introspection. Drawing inspiration from Amy Winehouse and Erykah Badu, she channels their emotional honesty into something unmistakably her own. As she prepares to release her upcoming EP No Other Way, Ivory’s latest single reminds us that sometimes the smallest spark of hope can ignite everything.

“Hope” is available now on all streaming platforms and gives listeners a glimpse into a new side of Dani Ivory—bold, honest, and beautifully human.

“Hope” feels incredibly personal. What inspired you to write it during such a transformative time in your life?

It was one of those magical, middle-of-the-night moments. I often hear music in my dreams and wake up with melodies looping in my head. Too many times, I’ve told myself, “You’ll remember it in the morning,” only to lose it by sunrise. But this time—around 3 a.m.—I got out of bed, wandered half-asleep into my home studio, and sat down at my Rhodes. The first third of the song just poured out of me. It was during COVID, when everything felt uncertain and heavy, and I think the world—myself included—needed a reminder that hope still existed.

How did becoming a mother influence the emotions and message behind the song?

Motherhood completely transforms your relationship with life. When you become a mother—especially for the first time—you suddenly feel the fragility and the miracle of existence in every moment. I remember stopping my car in the middle of the road once just to let a turtle cross. I couldn’t even swat a fruit fly. That tenderness cracked my heart open wider than ever before. Through all the sleepless nights and new responsibilities, my daughter became my anchor—my source of hope. Hope for my lineage, my spirit, and my music. She gave everything new meaning and became my muse.

You’ve performed with major artists like Beyoncé and Vance Joy. How does stepping out as a solo artist compare to those experiences?

It’s definitely a different world. I’ve spent years trying to establish myself as a solo artist, but it’s not an easy road. The “sideman” role has always been more accessible to me—those opportunities with major artists opened quickly, while the artist door has taken more persistence to unlock. Touring with legends like Beyoncé and Vance Joy has been a gift and an education. But stepping into my own artistry feels deeper and more vulnerable. It’s where I’m investing my heart—and honestly, my resources, too. With big tours, you earn; with your own music, you invest. Still, that’s the dream: to see my name on the marquee and share my story on my own stage.

Your sound blends elements of pop, soul, and folk. How do you approach balancing those influences when writing?

I don’t approach songwriting with genre in mind—I lead with emotion. As long as the song feels genuine and soulful, I let it take its own shape. I grew up surrounded by soul and R&B, studied classical music, and absorbed pop through the radio, so those influences just live in me. The instrument I’m writing on—whether it’s piano or guitar—also guides the energy and tone. I like to think of each song as its own universe, and I just follow where it wants to go.

As you lead into your new EP, No Other Way, what do you want people to feel when they listen to “Hope”?

I truly hope the song helps people reconnect—with themselves, with someone they love, or with a feeling they may have lost. Maybe it stirs a memory, brings a smile, or reminds them that light still finds its way through the cracks. If “Hope” gives someone comfort or a renewed sense of optimism, then it’s done what it was meant to do.