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When Dina Ayada emerged on the musical scene, it was with a freestyle on TikTok that went viral and became her breakout single, "Miles Away". This, including "Popular" and "Games", is one of the few tracks that have gained significant popularity on the platform. The young Belgian singer started making music with her brother by way of creative expression before she started sharing some of her stuff on TikTok, which subsequently took off as audiences from all over came to discover her sound, which is a blend of various genres from hyper-pop to hip-hop, to R&B with a whole lot of energy that carries through her music.
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Born and raised in Belgium with North African heritage, Dina has something to say with her music, and she is letting her authenticity shine through in everything she offers. The past few years of her career have seen her release 2023's SUPERSTAR! and 2024's The Script, her two EPs that have introduced her artistry to the world in a way that feels new and refreshing. Now gearing up for the release of her album, she is elevating and stepping up in every way possible.
As we speak with Dina, we touch on everything from her career to embracing her North African Heritage, the upcoming album, what it means to embrace one's truth, and more.
First, how was your first introduction to music as something you had an interest in?
Music has always been a part of my life. My dad would play Arabic music around the house, and I'd be singing along before I even fully understood the lyrics. Growing up, I was obsessed with MTV, watching videos from artists like Tupac, Aaliyah, DMX, Lauryn Hill. Eventually, I realised that music became the way I processed things. After school, if I were stressed, I'd write lyrics or do karaoke. I wasn't great at first, but it was my way of expressing myself, and it's how I grew into who I am now.
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How did you discover the type of artist you wanted to be?
I started figuring out the kind of artist I wanted to be about two years ago, right before everything took off. I built a team around me, including my creative director, my manager, and, at the time, a producer I used to work with. My creative director told me, "Before we start putting stuff out, we need to build your whole image first." So we sat down and thought about it: What do I want to represent? What do I stand for? And that's when I realised I had to bring my culture into it - the things I value, my faith, my family, and my relationships.
From there, I started posting on TikTok, and things just started blowing up. As I continued to release music, I gained a deeper understanding of myself and life. It reached a point where I wasn't just making music; I was telling my story, opening up about my family, friends, faith, and everything that makes me who I am.
When it comes to expressing your emotions and yourself the way you do in your music, were you always open to doing that, or was there ever a bit of hesitancy about how much you shared?
My culture influences everything I do, from the way I carry myself to the way I create music. I've always been mindful of representing my roots with respect, and that's reflected in the way I approach my songs. Even now, as I create more mature music, I remain intentional about how I express myself. I want to show where I come from, whether that's through the visuals, the energy, or the stories I tell. It's all part of who I am.
When I was younger, I had difficulties expressing my emotions, but as I've grown and learned from my mistakes, I've become more open to expressing myself in my songs.
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You mentioned that you grew up in Belgium and that your heritage is Moroccan. How does that cultural background influence your art and creativity?
The biggest difference is definitely in the sound and the storytelling. During the process of releasing my music, I was still figuring things out. However, with this debut album I'm working on, I've stepped into who I am as an artist. I've been working closely with Bugz Ronin and my whole team; we built this together, and the production is on a whole different level. We're blending different sounds that've inspired me throughout my life. For example, I've always been fascinated by American hip-hop culture, and I like to blend that with new sounds. Growing up in Antwerp helped me develop an affinity for fashion. Fashion is an integral part of my career, and I enjoy blending fashion and music.
This time, I'm telling my story, not just making songs to vibe to, but speaking on what I've been through. Previously, I made music from the perspective of a teenager, but now I'm grown, and this album reflects that. It's a new chapter: the production, the lyrics, the visuals - everything's levelled up. This isn't just music, it's art.
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Putting out the EP, what was the experience of putting the project out versus when the project was out?
There was time pressure putting the EP together. It was right before I went on tour with Gunna, and we wanted something I could present on stage. The songs were based on what I was going through during that time: heartbreak, my relationship with God, family, and just real life. After it dropped, many more people discovered me, and I'm proud of it. Now, with the album, I'm going deeper; the sound is more mature, and there's more storytelling. However, that EP was an important step for me.
Has that change and mindset in how you approach the album been something you consciously considered when making it, or did it develop naturally from your artistic journey following the EP?
The change and mindset came together very naturally. I always knew everything was God's plan, so I followed. After last year's tour, I took some time to reset and figure out the direction I wanted to take with the album. This year, I've been spending a lot of time in the studio, learning and growing alongside some incredible and inspiring people. That focus is why I've been more offline on social media. It's all about creating something meaningful that people will connect with. It wasn't forced; it was the natural next step in my journey.
You went on tour last year supporting Gunna. How was that experience for you?
It was my first time touring in the U.S., and I'm grateful for the new audience that discovered my music. The vibe was amazing, the energy was positive overall, and it felt like a family, it felt like home.
Gunna and I clicked on that tour, and since then, we've stayed in touch and continued to build our relationship. Spending time together, especially in the studio, has been a massive part of my growth as an artist. I was impressed by his energy, his performance, and how much he loves fashion too; I feel like we have so much in common. He's so grounded and humble, and he's exactly the artist I wanna become. For me, he became a mentor, and I'm thankful for his presence and advice.
What does that look like for you when you're not making art, when you're not, when you're not trying to, or when you're not plugged in?
I focus on resting and recharging. I have meaningful conversations with my parents and team, and they understand when I need to step back and take time for myself. I also journal to express how I'm feeling, both mentally and physically. Working out has become a big part of my routine because it helps me feel better overall. I find small moments to reflect and plan for what's next, and when I can, I relax and meditate to keep my mind calm and clear.
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You've had a hectic last couple of years with everything you've been doing. When you think back on everything that happened then, what does that experience feel like?
Looking back, it still feels surreal how quickly things have moved, especially when I started at 18. I'm not where I want to be yet, but I'm really happy with the progress. There's pressure for sure, but having a solid team and my family sticking by my side and believing in me has made all the difference. I've met some amazing people and played festivals I used to only dream about, like Rolling Loud overseas, which I've done twice now. This next album is something that I know will change my life, and I can't wait to share my story with the world. It's been a lot of hard work, ups and downs, but I'm grateful for every moment and excited for what's next.
When you think about where you are and the space you are in, what are you most looking forward to in the next chapter of your career?
What I'm most looking forward to in the next chapter is fully stepping into the artist and person I'm becoming, sharing deeper parts of my story, connecting with more people around the world and growing in a way that feels true to me. I want to reach new places, both literally and creatively and build something lasting that reflects my values and roots. It's about evolving with purpose, staying grounded in my heritage and faith and using my music to inspire and uplift others. This next chapter feels like the moment where everything aligns and I'm ready to embrace it fully. I would love to collaborate with big fashion brands I love, being able to go on tour and perform in front of my community. The idea of being able to perform the songs I've been working on for a whole year is something I'm very excited about, and hopefully, people will connect with my art. I can't wait to show the world what I'm capable of. This is just the beginning.
Styling Credits (In order of Images)
Cover Look
Top: Mowalola SS24
Bottoms: Mowalola SS24
Glasses: Hot Future SS24 Jewellery: Annabel B
Shoes: Timberlands
Look 1
Shirt/ Hat: Charles Jeffery LOVERBOY AW24
Jewellery: Annabel B
Look 2
Blazer: Lanvin SS24
Shirt: Lanvin SS24
Skort: Lanvin SS24
Shoes: Kurt Geiger London
Jewellery: Annabel B
Look 3 & 6
Jacket: Namilia AW24
Look 4
Jacket: Namilia AW24
Look 5
Trousers: Y/Project SS24
Belt: BB Simon
Vest: COS
Glasses: Hot Future SS24
