Dina Ayada

Belgium’s Dina Ayada makes smart, nimble hip-hop rooted in pop and globally-infused electronic music. As a singer and rapper, she first earned exposure through national talent competitions, then began releasing her own singles in the early 2020s. Her 2022 breakout single “Miles Away,” led to a major label contract, endorsements from several high profile stars, and the 2023 EP Superstar. Born and raised in Belgium, Ayada grew up listening to American artists like Missy Elliott and DMX as well as the Arabic radio stations played by her Moroccan parents. Musical ability came easily to her and by age 12 she was rapping and singing her own songs. Participation in national competitions like The Voice Kids and helped season her during her teenage years, but her first real exposure came through a series of collaborations with Belgian producer Chuki Beats. Early singles like “Savage,” “Ride or Die,” and “My Summer” earned national recognition, but it was a social media post of her 2022 song “Miles Away” that vaulted Ayada to viral success on a global scale. Stars like Kanye West, Playboi Carti, and Lil Yachty endorsed the track and she subsequently left law school to pursue a full-time music career. Signing with RCA, Ayada released her debut EP, Superstar, in 2023. ~ Timothy Monger