Meet the region’s young rising talent
In honour of International Women’s Day, we decided to highlight one of the region’s rising musical talent, Ghaliaa Chaker. The singer-songwriter was born in Damascus Syria, but now resides in Al-Ain UAE. What makes her standout among other artists in the Arab World is that she writes, plays multiple instruments, and composes her own music – that is what we call a triple threat!
The 20-year-old’s music fuses R&B, Pop and Rock, and draws its influence from country music, as sh sings about faith and love. Last year, she released her first three singles: Why, Praying and Kel El 3alam, with Why becoming a big hit, reaching the Top 10 list on Apple Music. Ghaliaa’s music has found a home on Apple’s music streaming platform, as it helps her music reach a wider audience.
We interviewed Ghaliaa and Tracey Hannelly, who leads Apple Music outside the US to discuss how the music platform is empowering female regional artists.
Tell me a little about your childhood. Did you grow up surrounded by music?
Ghaliaa: I grew up in a musical family which is where my passion for music started. My mom’s love for international music made me want to be so diverse in writing music. My dad and my sister play percussion, and my brother can sing. My grandmother and my uncles play oriental instruments as well.
When did you start singing? How did you discover your passion for singing?
G: I was always encouraged by my parents to en-roll in talent shows back in school, however, I considered myself a professional singer the day I released my first debut single.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in music?
G: I started my career in music to tell the world untold stories; stories that some people can’t seem to talk about and do so openly. It’s not only that, but also to support tolerance, acceptance and diversity in today’s world.
What has been the biggest obstacle in your career so far?
G: I don’t see things as obstacles but rather, opportunities. Growing up in a home of entrepreneurs, I learned to exploit my passion, to fight whatever obstacles life throws at me and to keep trying until I reach my goals and dreams.
What is your creative process like in the studio? How does your music come about?
G: I don’t like to follow a certain style in writing nor do I stick to one genre. Music is like love, it doesn’t know limits or boundaries or rules even.
How would you describe your style of music and lyrics?
G: I would say it’s storytelling, relevant. Out of the blue and spontaneous!
What has been your biggest achievement so far?
G: In this industry, I get to meet so many artists with a vision, share my music with over 50 countries and global audiences and mixing with people of different cultural backgrounds. The fact that I’ve been able to do so as a professional artist in a very short period of time is an accomplishment I’m proud of and thankful for.
How long have you been associated with Apple Music? How has the platform supported your journey as an artist?
G: I’ve been associated with Apple Music for over 4 months. The platform supported me and helped push my music since my first single, for which I’m grateful. It’s times like these that only makes me more confident in making music and releasing it to people all over the world.
Tell us about your role. How long have you been leading Apple Music international?
Tracey: I joined Apple in 2007, and have been part of the team working on Music at Apple team ever since then. Today I lead the Apple Music and Apple’s other content businesses for all the markets outside of the US.
How does Apple Music support and empower regional artists to grow? specifically emerging talent?
T: Apple Music is passionate about unearthing the very best in Middle Eastern talent and gives local artists a digital platform by taking their music to a global audience and supporting them with editorial featuring. For example, our expert editors carefully curate dynamic playlists which will feature the best Middle Eastern music. Ghaliaa’s Why? was chosen for The Best of 2018 playlist.
Ghaliaa was also selected to feature in our Balcony Sessions at the Apple Store, Dubai Mall last December. The Balcony Sessions, are a collection of unplugged musical performances and a collaboration between Apple Music and Today at Apple to provide a combination of a digital platform and physical performance space – to support Middle Eastern independent music and the local creative community.
What would you like to say about the growing female artist scene? How has it grown in the past few years?
T: Women’s contribution to music has always been significant and meaningful. Brave and purposeful women across every generation and genre have produced some of the greatest musical legacy’s of all time – Umm Kutlhum, Fairouz, Asmahane, Sabah, Warda, Majida El Roumi, Yasmine Hamdan,..the list goes on and on.
What’s interesting now, is that the variety of female artists coming through are not only immensely talented musically and able to imbue their unique female perspectives via their voices, instruments and lyrics. But now female artists are empowered to take full ownership of the entire creative process, the development of their own brand, their style evolution, business management and the direction of their own careers which often leads to many founding their own labels and production companies.
Through your experience with Apple Music, what advice can you give to young aspiring female artists?
T: As a female, a leader and also as a mother of daughters myself, I would give the same advice to all young women today. Never before has there been so much opportunity for women to shine, to blaze a trail and break records in any field or industry.
I’ve always championed other women in the music community, and in my career I’ve been lucky enough to have been inspired and supported by many amazing women myself. What sustains female achievement is having a clear vision, then just working really, really hard work – having the determination and endurance to keep trying even in the light of set backs and adversity is ultimately what drives women to succeed.
What is next for you?
G: I want to work bigger and farther, collaborate and make more music for different kinds of people, and in different languages.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
G: I personally believe that women deserve to be thanked and reminded of how valuable and precious they are every single day. However, it’s a markable day to celebrate them and everything they accomplish in every hour of everyday.
Who’s your female inspiration?
G: My female inspiration is my Grandma, she’s taught me determination, persistence, commitment and patience.
Check out Ghaliaa’s music!
Media: Supplied
