Amir Abdallah is a 20 year old artist hailing from Los Angeles, California. He has been releasing music independently for over 2 years, showcasing a diverse range of styles. In addition to his career in music, Amir is also involved in the dance and modeling industries.
Musical Roots
Amir has been singing and dancing for most of his life and was heavily involved in performing arts throughout his education. He grew up listening to a wide range of music, with artists such as Beyonce, Selena Quintanilla, and Aretha Franklin serving as major influences. Amir began focusing on his singer-songwriter career during his first year of college in Chicago, where he is currently studying dance.
“I am actually studying dance in Chicago, but have always dreamt of being a singer as well,” Amir said. “The funny thing is that I actually ended up getting injured during a dance class which stopped me from dancing for a semester. In the meantime, I decided to lean my focus into music because maybe I couldn’t dance, but I knew I could sing and write for the time being. A couple of years later and here I am. I quickly learned the benefits of being multifaceted in this industry because if one outlet takes a hit, there is always another to fall back on.”
Unique Perspective on the Music Industry
Amir believes that the current state of the music industry, with its emphasis on streaming and social media promotion, has led to a trend of superficial and indistinguishable music. He strives to create raw and honest music that is relatable to listeners, often addressing heavy topics and personal experiences in his songwriting.
“I think we are in the day and age of quick streaming, which is the new reality for music distribution,” Amir said. “For many artists, it’s no longer about storytelling or perfecting their craft, but to just put out random singles. Now with Tik Tok being at the forefront of music promotion for many, a lot of artists are putting out music that all sounds the same, with little to no substance.”
“I feel like the music I aim to create is geared towards staying raw and truthful to myself, which I believe creates a sense of relatability amongst listeners. I am not shy to speak on heavy topics and speak on the struggles I have endured and conquered in my life.”
Personal Identity and Experiences
Amir is a gay, Christian man of Mexican and Palestinian descent who grew up with a single mother of four and has faced challenges including drug abuse and mental illness in his family. He believes that personal experiences are crucial in being able to connect with and be a voice for others.
“I am a gay man who also happens to be Christian which is controversial to many people,” Amir said. “I am also a person of color, being Mexican and Palestinian. There are not enough people of color at the forefront of the music industry, especially Arab artists. I was also raised by a single mother of 4 kids, living off of food stamps with a father deported from the country, and dealt with drug abuse and mental illness among family members. To the everyday person, this all may seem insane, but to me it is necessary to have these types of experiences in order to be able to connect with a variety of people. I am a firm believer that in order to be a voice for someone, you need to have walked in their shoes to truly relate to them and their situations. And I have walked in plenty of pairs.”
Future Goals
In the next five years, Amir plans to complete college with a BA
