Ayah Marar
Ayah Marar will release her eagerly anticipated debut album The Real on October 1st through her own label Hussle Girl.
First video for ‘Unstoppable’ here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meavgE5eiWc
The Real follows Ayah’s debut single Mind Controller on Hussle Girl in April and last year’s collaborations with Yogi – the storming Follow U on Ministry of Sound - and Cross The Line with Camo & Krooked on Hospital Records.
Born in Jordan to a Czech-Bulgarian mother and a Palestinian-Jordanian father, Marar refers to herself as a “proper mongrel”.
From an early age she was exposed to a myriad of musical styles, and it’s no surprise her debut album is a kaleidoscope of sounds that cherry-pick the best from the underground dance scene.
"It's an homage to dance music in whatever form, whether it's garage or two-step or house or drum and bass," Ayah explains.
Full of well-crafted pop hooks, The Real looks set to shatter dance floors. Lyrically there is an alluring mix of strength and vulnerability, with boxfresh beats and Marar's supple, characterful vocals providing an emotional anchor.
From Mind Controller’s yearning, bass-heavy pop (which was championed by KISS FM earlier this year), to the ravey synth stabs and hands-in-the-air chorus of Beg Borrow Steal, via The Predator’s brilliantly black-hearted dubstep rave up, it's all anchored by real human emotion.
The Eastern-influenced Camouflage Girl is a nod not only to Marar's roots but also to production powerhouse The Neptunes, whilst the amazing Sign Your Name bounces along on huge stuttering synths and a hint of modern day R&B production touches. It's this diversity that sets The Real apart.
In a pop world dominated by quick fixes and TV talent show acceleration, Marar's put in the hard graft, be it adding guest vocals to tracks on Hospital Records and the Metalheadz label, touring Europe with DJs or having her own four year DJ residency at Herbal.
It's this passion mixed with a willingness to collaborate and form creative bonds that have come to define much of Ayah's career so far. Her early friendship with Calvin Harris has lead to a recent recording session between the two, and the resulting track will feature on Harris' new album, due in October.
Another old friend in need of an amazing vocal was DJ Fresh, who called Ayah out of the blue - the three songs they co-wrote will feature on DJ Fresh’s forthcoming September album and includes his new single The Feeling.
The key thing with Ayah Marar is that the two worlds - the mainstream and the underground - co-exist because it's all part of who she is, The Real straddles both worlds perfectly and cements her status as the Queen of UK Bass.
Having previously toured with Example, Calvin Harris, Camo & Krooked and with a string of festivals under her belt (Lovebox, Global Gathering, Secret Garden Party, V), Ayah Marar will return to London later this month.
Upcoming UK dates
20th August - Ministry of Sound, London (Under The Radar Tour)
24th August - Notting Hill Arts Club, London
7th Sept - Proud Galleries, London
28th Sept - Electric Brixton, London (with Netksy)