Meet Palestinian Pop Princess Amira Jazeera
Photography by Alexander Jibaja
Music has been a pillar of Amira Jazeera’s life for as long as she can remember. The self-proclaimed Palestinian Pop Princess grew up on pop music and in the process, harnessed her love for listening to and creating music.
Originally from Ohio, Amira Jazeera has grown to call Chicago home over the last few years. The authenticity, savviness, and soul of the city is present in her music; something she’s cognizant and proud of. Jazeera has an array of singles under her belt that demonstrate the unique and bright worlds she orchestrates with her honeyed voice and confident but vulnerable lyrics. With new music on the horizon, Amira Jazeera understands and values the importance of evolving as an artist and doing so intentionally. She’s ventured into production and found a new love for the storytelling that making music allows for, igniting a fresh fire for a long time passion.
Drive and character shape musicians and their careers, both qualities Amira possesses. Her dedication to longevity through connecting to her fans while not losing herself in the process of reaching more people is admirable, especially in the time of attention grabs disguised as artistry.
Dive into our conversation to get to know the Palestinian Pop Princess, how she makes room for growth, and navigating social media as an artist.
How has 2023 been for you?
It's been really enlightening, honestly. I’ve just been surrounding myself with really good people and just putting myself out there to collaborate more this year, which has been fun creating that community. We have that here and it's beautiful, I love that.
It is a beautiful thing! How did you end up in the city?
Originally, I'm from Columbus, Ohio, but I moved to Chicago when I turned 18 to pursue music. I claim Chicago as my home now, though. I mean, I've been here for long enough and I feel like sometimes you can just move somewhere and know it's home before even being there for like ten years or whatever it is. That's starting your actual adulthood and your career as an artist. That's why I call it home, you know?
Absolutely! Who have you been listening to lately?
I listen to a lot of old music from the OG pop queens such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Brandy. In terms of newer artists lately i’ve been listening to a lot of Snoh Aalegra, Dua Lipa, SZA, & The Weeknd
What a lineup! I love how engaged you keep your fans on social media and I know content creation is an iffy thing for artists. Can you speak to your approach to content creation and bridging that with your artistry?
I would say it’s really been helpful to connect with the outside audience and see what things they like more. Like if I wanted to test a single out, I’d share it with them in a snippet and they'll tell me ‘hey I really like this’ and even ask about it later like ‘where's that one song you shared on your live?’ and I'm like ‘oh my god you're right where is it!’ (laughs) They'll motivate me a lot. Yeah, it can be hard to create content or put yourself out there but just be yourself. That's like the biggest advice I can give, just be yourself, don't think about it too much, and just have fun. People will see that and they'll live through that.
Part of what I love about your social presence is all of the covers! Has there been a specific cover that brought on new fans or a favorite cover you've done in the past?
Hmm, honestly the one that I did recently, Kill Bill by SZA, that one got a lot of good feedback. Some new fans from that too.
Your last couple of releases were in 2022, and you have an array of singles from the years before. 2022 really defined Amira Jazeera in a way. Can you speak to the success of those two singles and any lessons you learned along the way?
First of all, I want to thank you for saying that it sounds like me and not like everyone else because I really do believe in sticking with what's true to you and not replicating something. Yeah, I have influence from a lot of different artists, but I do like to make it my own and I would say that this year that you're gonna see a lot of that again, just things that are really me. I'm producing a lot of my own music now which is a big deal. And I'm gonna keep saying that I produce my own music because women don't really get enough credit for being producers in this industry. That's something I'm really excited about to finally share and continue making things that feel good and not really conforming to a box. It's going to be all different.
I love that! Speaking on production, how has venturing into that world helped you grow as a musician?
It’s absolutely helped me grow! Music production has all these layers and all these textures that help you realize that it’s like storytelling in itself. That's almost like writing a song. when the bass comes in after the synth, it's like, oh, that's the part where you feel moved or feel a certain emotion. And then in your lyrics that can reflect that and everything meshes together so well. When you produce and you write together, it helps you really tell the story the way that you want, the most authentic way.
What artists have influenced your music or even your identity?
Yeah. Hannah Montana (laughs)… There’s a lot; Beyoncé, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande. They just radiate boss bitch energy and inspire me tons.
You call yourself the Palestinian Pop Princess! Can you talk about how your identity folds into your artistry?
Just being Palestinian in general, it’s an identity that I'm so loud and proud about mostly because you see the things that go on and how there are a lot of false narratives trying to erase the culture, the identity, and put stereotypes on it. And I kind of just want to show that there’s so many different versions of us and that we can literally be whoever, we can be anything, and can do anything in this world.
I love that! Has pop music always been in your life?
I grew up on pop music, I was in a very musical household. My older brother was also a huge fan of pop music so it was always around!
Can we expect new music this year?
Yes. Definitely expect some singles that have been produced by me as well as a full body of work.
Lastly, how would you describe yourself to someone hearing your name or music for the first time?
That is a really hard question.
I know, sorry!
Hmm, Amira Jazeera. I would say I'm a multi-dimensional creator who just wants to spread love and inspire.