Emirati-British singer Alya is setting ambitious goals for her music career, with a Grammy Award firmly on her wish list. The 21-year-old artist wants to build an international pop career while representing the UAE on the global stage. Her latest single, Lemonade, combines pop, R&B, K-pop influences and Arabic musical elements, reflecting her preference for experimenting with different sounds instead of sticking to one genre.
Beyoncé Inspires Alya’s Musical Ambitions
Alya counts global superstar Beyoncé among her biggest influences and hopes to achieve a similar level of international recognition. She has been writing music since she was 14 and says years of practice have helped her understand the dedication required to succeed in the industry. Rather than viewing fame as the main objective, she is focused on creating music, performing regularly and building a lasting career. She also wants her success to bring greater attention to Dubai’s growing music scene.
Lemonade Blends Pop With Arabic Influences
The singer’s latest release demonstrates her interest in bringing different musical cultures together. Although the track draws heavily on contemporary pop and R&B, Arabic rhythms remain part of its sound. Alya has also explored visual storytelling and choreography, filming the song’s visualiser in New York with dancers after intensive rehearsals. She believes artists today have more freedom to move between genres, allowing their music to connect with audiences from different backgrounds.
Flipperachi Collaboration Connects Regional Sounds
Alya has teamed up with regional rapper Flipperachi on a remix of Lemonade. She appreciates his ability to combine Arabic and English naturally, making the collaboration a fitting extension of her own cross-cultural approach. Flipperachi has gained wider recognition through the popularity of his track FA9LA, which featured in the film Dhurandhar. Their musical connection reflects the growing visibility of artists from the Middle East and the potential for regional sounds to reach audiences internationally.
Alya Focuses on Growth Rather Than Fame
Despite her major ambitions, Alya recognises that an international music career requires patience, discipline and resilience. She sees social media as an important tool for independent artists to build audiences without relying entirely on record labels. With more music recorded and a possible extended play in development, she plans to keep improving her craft. For Alya, winning a Grammy remains a long-term goal, but her immediate priority is to keep creating, performing and introducing her sound to more listeners.
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