Deeyah Presents

 DEEYAH PRESENTS: Amreen (US)

 

 

 

 

Rapper, singer and writer born and raised in the US of Pakistani descent.

Amreen, this 16 year old Pakistani American’s ambition to be a singer became serious for her at the age of 14. She can perform in 4 languages and hopes people will not only enjoy her music, but also relate to what she has to say through her lyrics. Her song ‘Judge’ for the SISTERHOOD project was written after being made aware of honour killings through Deeyah's blogs and the ICAHK’s (“International Campaign Against Honour Killings") Myspace pages.

| Myspace: Amreen |

Listen to Amreen's Song: Judge | Lyrics availabe here

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Lady Dizzla (UK)

 

 

 

 

Rapper, singer, dancer and model from the UK of Yemeni and Indian descent.

 Lady Dizzla, 18, from London has Indian, Arab Yemeni and British roots. She remembers dancing along to Michael Jackson ever since she was a child. Dizzla says she began rapping 2 years ago because it appealed to her as a strong and honest form of musical expression. Her song for SISTERHOOD is called 'I Won't Cry' which is both a personal and very powerful song. 'I Won't Cry' is about the physical and emotional torment, pain and scars of rape. Despite the gut wrenching rendition of a traumatic experience and subject the song is empowering and inspiring-- it is a journey through a young woman's emotional battle to finally regain strength and control of her own life.



| Myspace: Lady Dizzla |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Neelofer Mir

 

 

 

 

Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Educator and Business Women. A Born Leader. Born and Raised in South London of Pakistani heritage. Starting out on the London Open Mic circuit some 10 years ago, Neelofer soon made a name for herself as the most dynamic and thought provoking Asian female Spoken Word Artist on the scene. Challenging Stereo types and making it known that she has the courage of her convictions to be an individual and make her own choices - hence the aptly named track "POET" submitted to the "SISTERHOOD" project. Currently working on her debut Album and collaborating with the legendary Talvin Singh.



| Myspace: Neelofer Mir Myspace |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Kiran Zamman (UK)

 

 

 

 

Singer, writer, producer and musician from the UK of Pakistani descent.

Kiran Zamman, 25, is a British Pakistani from an artistic family in Nottingham. ‘I Have a Dream’ was written post-911 drawing inspiration from the great ‘Martin Luther King Jr’ --shedding light on equal rights, racism and injustice. For her forthcoming solo debut album Kiran is playing all the instruments, producing writing and mixing all the material herself. Kiran’s musical influences range from jazz, R&B, Arabic, electronica to the sounds of the 80’s.

| Myspace: Kiran Zamman |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: MC Suriya (UK)

 

 

 

 

Rapper and writer from the UK of Pakistani descent.

MC Suriya, 16, is a British Asian rapper from Bradford who began rapping at age 12. She sees music as a hobby for the time being while she concentrates on her education. She says her lyrics consciously do not cross her ethical, cultural, and religious boundaries because she hopes to amend cultural and religious bridges through her art. Her song “Breakin Dha Silence” for the SISTERHOOD project is about female artists in the music industry-- lyrically she draws on some of the struggles she’s been through.



| Myspace: MC Suriya |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Lady Massacre (UK)

 

 

 

 

Rapper and writer from the UK of Pakistani descent.

Lady Massacre – 16 year old British Muslim, brought up in Sheffield felt voiceless at the turn of the war in Iraq. As a result she began putting her feelings on paper. Lady Massacre regularly competes in online rap battles and she feels strongly about inspiring and becoming a future role model for other Muslim women.



| Myspace: Lady Massacre |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Yasslam (France)

 

 

 

 

Yasmine, a 26 year old poetess whose alias is “Yasslam” – can be found performing and reciting her poetry in cafés in Paris. She was born in France to Algerian parents. She has been writing poetry since she was young in her first language; which is French but she incorporates Arabic and English into them. “I approach all subjects in particular those that touch the condition of the woman: sexism, the forced marriages, the materialist women, racism, terrorism etc...” An observer of people and the ways of the world, Yasslam says this; life and her origin are all equal factors in inspiring her to write. “I think that a true passion is one you keep all your life. Our passions are within us to give meanings to our lives, otherwise we would not be happy.”

She reflects on this further; “I am a woman. I am Moslem and I’ve always wanted to express myself in this outlet so naturally.” She comments that its difficult to understand why our cultures don’t accept women singing/performing; yet she Yasslam is not conflicted. People who she comes across ask her if she considers herself Algerian or French, “Deep within me I know I belong to the two. I have enough room in my heart to contain these two countries’ cultures.” The song she has given for Sisterhood is called "Beautiful Algeria", to show her love not only to the people of the country but to outsiders too so they know the positive characteristics of the country which she holds dear to her heart.



| Myspace: Yasslam |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Lyrical Lailah (UK)

 

 

 

 

Writer, producer and rapper.

Lyrical Lailah; born and raised in Bradford of mixed Pakistani and White English descent. She gladly contributed her track “UnAbused” to SISTERHOOD which is about the silence that surrounds the issue of violence against women – “I wanted to relay the pain and voice the subject of abuse against women,” Having worked with domestic violence victims as a housing support worker in a hostel for homeless women and children--Lyrical Lailah takes inspiration from life and what she sees around her. She hopes to achieve appreciation and for “someone to be inspired” by her actively making music.



| Myspace: Lyrical Lailah |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Jus1Jam (UK)

 

 

 

 

Writer and poetess from the UK of Pakistani descent.

Jus1Jam, 24, from Bradford, UK has been writing poetry since her early schooldays. Fascinated by the media’s influence on our perception of the world, Jus1Jam aspired not only to write about her observations but also to be involved behind the scenes in event organizing. She has a passion for helping and promoting others who are talented. Her track “Ride (a Requiem)” is a combination of two poems put together with the musical production and chorus vocals of Kiran Zamman.



| Myspace: Jus1Jam |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Angel MC Shay (UK)

 

 

 

 

Rapper and writer from the UK of Pakistani descent.

Angel Mc Shay (Lyric-Ali), 17, is a British Pakistani from Sheffield who started writing lyrics at age 12. A shy person, she lets everything she’s feeling come out through her music and writing. She raps in English and has performed at festivals and parties. She is currently working on some H.I.V awareness tracks and an anti-bullying album. ‘Open Soul Closed’ is her track for SISTERHOOD, which was written at the time the “war on terror” was proposed.



| Myspace: Angel MC Shay |

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Shaheen (US)

 

 

 

 

Shaheen Sheik was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Currently living in Los Angeles, she already has one album under her belt, and another releasing May 2008. As a South Indian woman, Shaheen has stood strong for her right to pursue music.

She has given her song "rEvolution", the title track to her new album, to SISTERHOOD. The song is about battling the indifference we have for poverty in India. She hopes to inspire men and women to follow their dreams - to know that music and art are beautiful expressions of people's spirits.



| Myspace: Shaheen |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Dizie Mc (UK)

 

 

 

 

Dizie MC,19, is a British Pakistani from Huddersfield who is influenced by the UK Garage and Grime scene, her life and religion. Dizie MC wants to pursue music alongside other ambitions. The song for SISTERHOOD is called “Inspecta”--which is about mischief, mayhem and the police.



| Myspace: Dizie Mc |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Elly & Khai (US)

 

 

 

 

Elly and Khai are both from California, USA. Elly, 20, has a Middle Eastern, Egyptian background and was born in Oakland, US. Khai, 23, is Japanese/European and was born in Chico. Both come from strong musical influenced backgrounds. The talented duo met by chance networking through Myspace in December 2006. Their musical tastes and influences are varied and eclectic. Their own songs consist of English and Arabic tracks. Collectively they write about the rollercoaster of love and life and the problems that make us human. Their track "Waters" for SISTERHOOD was written to inspire women to realize that they are deeper and stronger than what society gives them credit for.



| Myspace: Elly & Khai |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Phoenix

 

 

 

 

24 year old Phoenix is an underground artist, based in Dubai of Yemeni heritage. Phoenix is a writer, a rapper and a part-time producer. Phoenix’s passion for writing music was ignited in 2003. She hopes for music to be a part of her life in some form and hopes for Arab and Muslim women to come forward to freely express themselves through music. She sees herself as part of a new generation changing things for the better. Her contribution to SISTERHOOD is “Leap of Faith” and like all her songs it’s based on experience.



| Myspace: Phoenix |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Nia-V

 

 

 

 

Singer, songwriter and dancer of Persian descent.

Nia-V was born in Iran, but raised in London. Nia-V is a singer/songwriter passionate about her music and trying to make her dreams come true. Although Nia-V has been singing since the age of 5, she was a lover of dance before she realised her true passion and love was in fact singing and making music. Still she is a versatile and experienced dancer in a range of styles. She says: "It's especially through belly dancing that my true middle eastern side shines through. Currently studying Nia-V is also in the process of recording her forthcoming album. "There have been so many people who doubt you and underestimate your true talent, but I've learnt that believing in yourself is the only key to success!" says, Nia-V. Nia-V has contribute her song '6 Degrees Of Seperation' which is about being there for a loved one, to the SISTERHOOD project.



| Myspace: Nia-V Myspace |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Kayla Lahmar (US)

 

 

 

 

Writer and poetess based in the US of Palestinian descent.



| Myspace: Kayla Lahmar |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Raquel Evita Saraswati (US)

 

 

 

 

Writer, poetess and musician based in the US.



| Myspace: Raquel Evita |

 

DEEYAH PRESENTS: Laydee Sly (UK)

 

 

 

 

 

Laydee Sly may only be 15 but she’s been through a lot in her life “I started music only a year ago to express my feelings and tell people my story.” Born and raised in East London to Bangladeshi parents who weren’t together at the time has had a major impact on her life. Raised by her maternal grandparents she felt treated differently to her younger brother. So she started writing music to express her feelings. “I used to write about hating and would swear, now I have changed and am more religious so I write about love and Islam.” Recent travels to Bangladesh and Yemen have changed her outlook on her own life and the expression of her songs. She wants to inspire other younger people and send out a message of Islam “to those like me who do not yet understand Islam fully. I want them to think before they act. I want to make a difference to people, as I have learnt from my life and my past so I want other people to think about theirs as well.” Laydee Sly’s song for Sisterhood is called ‘Kitaab.’



| Myspace: Laydee Sly |