Dania al Khatib who regularly appears on Abu Dhabi TV as a presenter of a travel show through which she is touring all over the world, has launched her singing career seeking change in every new album.
About her latest album, al Khatib told Gulf News, “al Hilwa Di (the pretty girl) is different because it presents new musical ideas. In terms of the voice, lyrics and arrangement, it is more mature. Simultaneously, it remains the same because it’s me. I like to keep evolving both personally and professionally, and my music changes with me. While the first album appealed more to the young, this one is for all ages. The title song is a modern update on a classic folklore song.”
Khatib calls her style of music “fusion pop with Arabic and Western influences. Although I sing mainly in Arabic, I like to work with a variety of sounds. In Yalla Bina I had a bhangra remix done. Chico of Gypsy Kings composed Es Salam for my second album. I also performed a duet with British boy band 911 on the hit single, Private Number. The new album features Para No Verte Ma’s with Argentinean stars La Mosca.”
The young Lebanese singer said that she always imagined herself as a singer. “From the time I was a child in Lebanon, I loved singing. You would always catch something in my hand that resembled a mike, be it a carrot or a candle. I would be singing in my room, recording and playing back my favorite songs.”
She added, “I was actually a fine arts graduate, and landed up on television totally by chance. As a painter, I was at a local Lebanese TV channel to do graphics for their studio when somebody asked me to do a screen test.
Without any intention of auditioning, I performed the screen test in a very relaxed manner. Two days later, I was called and asked to report as a TV presenter. When I faced the camera again, I became nervous. Then, after two months of training, I became comfortable and really loved facing the camera. That’s when I was spotted by executives of Star TV.”
“I want to perform more concerts, and work on my next album. My philosophy in life is accept who you are and just be yourself,” said Khatib – Albawaba.com
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