PHOTOS // JIMMY FONTAINE
STORY // ANGIE PICCIRILLO
Like many pop singers, ABIR started grooming herself for stardom at a young age, singing everything from JLO to Keyshia Cole, and everyone in between like a non-stop karaoke DJ. But unlike many singers whoâve made it today, ABIR is not a clone of any other pop star before her⊠Her debut EP, MINT, was just recently released, with stellar tracks like âYoung and Rudeâ to the super-relatable âFor Ya,â ABIR has only shown us inklings of what sheâs capable of so far.
The songs on this EP have been said to be reflective of the life sheâs actually lived since graduating from George Mason University and taking the mega-bus to New York City, where she now calls home. It was there that she went from singing other peopleâs music to being discovered by Atlantic Records CEO Craig Kallman â who spotted her in Brooklyn when she performed ahead of rapper AminĂ©.
Up until recently, ABIR had never been on a real traveling tour â that is until she joined KIIARA at the end of October for a 16-city tour. Undoubtedly, for ABIR â this is just the beginning.
âYoung and Rudeâ sounds like it has some world music influence – would you agree with that at all?
I definitely hear it now that Iâve had a chance to sit back and take the music in, but it wasnât intentional, haha. I am super excited to get into more worldly music, specifically some Arab drum patterns/melodies. Soon, though!
From your past, it seems you love everything from Pop music to rap â what are your favorite genres currently?
Right now, Iâm into a lot of R&B and Pop music. Iâve been jamming Daniel Caesar, Teyana Taylor, and Ariana Grande a bunch.
Youâve sung everyone from JLo to Keyisha Cole before â What other artists inspire you now? If you had to sing a song at Karaoke, what is your âgo-toâ track now?
Iâm still super inspired by the music I grew up listening to/singing. I find myself listening to more older music than new. I was just jamming Destinyâs Child âFulfilledâ album and Amy Winehouseâs âBack to Blackâ last week and felt so inspired. I would say my go-to karaoke record now is âIâm Realâ by JLo! I even got the Ja Rule parts down.
Your EP, MINT, was just released â tell us what it was like the day before it was released. Were you nervous? Were you excited? Did you do anything special to celebrate?
I was suuuuuper nervous up until the second it was released and the responses started coming in. After that, I started feeling the excitement of having my first project out and was ready to celebrate with all my friends, family, and fans at my release party. I performed a couple of the records and then danced the night away.
Youâve said that your songwriting as a kid was often based on âfantasy,â especially when it comes to relationships â how was that method changed today? Do you now pull from real events in your life?
I didnât feel like I had any experiences that people could really relate to when I was younger so I always insisted on writing about love and heartbreak from the relationships I saw on movies/TV. Nowadays, I actually pull from things that happen in my everyday lifeâŠlike going out with friends, relationships, living in the concrete jungle, and everything in between.
Of all the songs on this EP, which one means the most to you?
I would say âFor Yaâ means the most. It summarizes my feelings on the things that are changing around me and reminds me that everyoneâs growing up.
What are your plans for 2019?
Iâm super excited to get back in the studio after tour and release some new music at the top of the new year!
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