Music Discovery — Dounia, the 19 year-old activist and brilliant singer

Dounia is a typical New York teenager, who is taking the music world by storm in the same way she once was a social media star. At only 19 years old, she has thousands of fans who are addicted to her music and outspoken attitude.

Dounia embodies the teens of the digital age. First a star on social media, she became popular for her outspoken and realistic speech and her refusal to conform to the outdated standards of the Hollywood vision of a “perfect body”. Brought up in New York, Dounia became an internet sensation with the Soundcloud recordings of her own music. She was later signed to Viceversa Records, where she released two singles, “Amare Parole” and “Night Hours”.

Now she is looking at moving on into a solo career, and becoming an independent artist. Her first solo single, “East Coast Hiding” was inspired by her varied childhood. Raised first in Morocco before moving to Queens, the young singer/songwriter loves her home. The sultry vocals on the track belie the age of the singer, and are disarmingly mature. The confidence of her voice and the outspoken attitude show through her dulcet tones.

https://soundcloud.com/douniatazi

In a recent interview, she explained how she felt about her music, her life now, and her future. For Dounia, music was never a decision or a choice. She has always seen her music as part of who she is. Being an outspoken individual — it is of course also reflected in her music. When there is something she wants to say, she does not hesitate in saying it. And her new track is no exception. For her, “East Coast Hiding” is about how she sees her home town in more of a “getaway” light, still enthralled by the city she calls home.

She does not want people to tamper with her music

Her new single is being released independently of any music producer, as she does not want it to be altered from the original form she sang it in. While she micro-manages every aspect of her music, she is also sensitive about it. Music is still a part of who she is, and she hopes she never reaches the day where it becomes just another job or obligation. So independence seems to be the only way for her.

An advocate for equality

As an advocate of equality, realism and intersectionality, Dounia tries not to take any of the negative comments she receives to heart. “The bigger the scale you’re on, the more backlash you’ll receive for absolutely anything,” she says. “Including something as necessary as defending and amplifying the voices of marginalized groups.” She considers the social issues she sides with as more important than any trivial comments.

Another of her beliefs is the authenticity of music. She likes to remind people that her art does not have to have guidelines to be “dope”. Good things can come without a line of executives promoting it.