wafia

WAFIA left a major mark on the musical landscape of 2018. With unanimous critical acclaim, over 100 million streams, her first headlining tour in Europe, sold-out shows in Los Angeles, Brooklyn, San Francisco, Toronto and throughout her home country of Australia, and debut performances at Red Rocks and Coachella, the confident yet unassuming indie pop powerhouse has proven to be a force to be reckoned with and one of the most exciting artists to watch for as we head into 2019.

As Nylon commented, “the buzz surrounding [Wafia] is remarkable”. The Fader praised her “golden, honeysuckle-sweet voice”, Teen Vogue called her one of the “artists you should be listening to before the end of 2018” and Vogue said that the 25-year-old singer is “single handedly shaking up the music industry with her purposeful pop.” 

Her latest song ‘I’m Good’ has become one of the most buzzed-about songs of the past few months with V Magazine calling it “a breakup bop for the ages”, Refinery 29 highlighting the track’s relatability, saying “Wafia has reached into my soul and ripped out my experiences with breakups and turned them into a perfect song” and Billboard declaring that it “puts Wafia’s confident charisma in plain view.”

Watch a playful new homemade video for ‘I’m Good’ that Wafia recorded at home in Brisbane with her sister Hibba and puppy Khalil, HERE.

Along with I’m Good’, her VIII EP and her Louis the Child-collab on their track ‘Better Not’, Wafia has notches over 100 million streams in 2018 alone. EP cut ‘Bodies’ caught attention from the likes of Vice Broadly, Nylon and Ladygunn for its pointed lyrics addressing the Syrian refugee crisis. 2018 also found Wafia scoring her first appearance on the Billboard charts (‘Better Not’ on the Hot Dance/Electronc Songs chart), and major success on triple j with ‘I’m Good’ being named the 5th most played song of the year.

Wafia shares, ”2018 was so good to me. Between my ‘VIII’ EP coming out earlier in the year, to “Better Not” and then “I’m Good” & all the touring, this is one of those years that shaped me,” said Wafia, adding “To go out on the road and personally see how the music is connecting with people in places I’ve never been but my music has, is the most rewarding part of it all. I did a lot of writing this year too, and I’m most excited for the new year to share where my mind has been at. I feel like 2018 was just setting me up for a particularly special 2019.“

2019 will see exciting new music from Wafia, international tour dates, and more.

‘I’m Good’ is out now via Future Classic, buy/stream it here.

 Stay connected with Wafia:
Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

WAFIA SHARES NEW SINGLE ‘ONLY LOVE’:
VIII EP OUT JAN 19 VIA FUTURE CLASSIC

Rising artist WAFIA today shares her new track, ‘Only Love‘, which premiered via triple j’s Good Nights with Linda Marigliano earlier this week. The track is taken from her highly anticipated VIII EP set for release January 19 via Future Classic. Listen to it below:

VIII finds Wafia—who was born in the Netherlands to Syrian and Iraqi parents and is now based in Australia—navigating her intersectional identities as a young, Muslim woman. Wafia wrote ‘Only Love’, alongside producers HazeBanga (Beyoncé, M.I.A., Syd) and Rogét Chahayed (D.R.A.M., Kendrick Lamar, Solange Knowles). The song explores the cultural complexities of coming to terms with feelings for someone of the same gender for the first time, whilst previously released lead single ‘Bodies’, looks at her family’s struggle within the ongoing crisis in Syria. Watch the Alli Coates-directed video here, and triple j’s HACK program delve deeper with her story here.

Along with the EP’s debut single, ‘83 Days‘, which has been streamed more than four million times to date, Wafia displays unceasing honesty and courage in her artistry, giving her audiences a record so bold, and significant for our time.

2017 has kept Wafia busy, with an Australian headline tour, London Grammar support, and a more recent European run of shows alongside BØRNS under her belt. She continues in 2018 with a North American tour in January and February of 2018, making stops in Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City and more. Check out dates and details below.

’Only Love’ is out now via Future Classic, buy/stream it here.
Pre-order VIII EP now.

WAFIA TOUR DATES

January 1– Sydney, NSW – Field Day Festival
January 22 – Vancouver, BC – The Cobalt
January 23 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
January 24 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
January 26 – San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop
January 27 – Los Angeles, CA – Masonic Lodge
January 29 – Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern
January 30 – Toronto, ON – Drake Hotel
February 1 – Brooklyn NY – Rough Trade
February 2 – Boston, MA – Great Scott
February 3 – Washington, DC – Songbyrd

Tickets at wafiamusic.com

Stay connected with Wafia
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

PRAISE FOR WAFIA

“Wafia just can’t seem to put a foot wrong at the moment…”
Best Before

“Wafia…is focused on making music that’s accessible to everyone.” 
VICE’s Broadly

“Wafia is using pop as protest. The 24-year-old makes a song about the Syrian refugee crisis ‘accessible’ with an uplifting, lightweight alt-pop melody.”
Harper’s Bazaar

“23-year-old singer songwriter Wafia is undoubtedly one of the most exciting Australian artists to emerge in recent years.”
Howl & Echoes

‘Hear Wafia’s Powerful And Personal Single About The Refugee Crisis’
Junkee Music

“With production characterized by weary low-end rumbles and resonant keys, [Ta-ku and Wafia] float above the music, playing off each other’s harmonies.”
NPR

‘Wafia continues to be one of Australia’s most important artists with her new single ‘Bodies’ – “The single is one of the most powerful of the year in both meaning and sound.’”
Pilerats

‘WAFIA’S ‘BODIES’ IS PURPOSEFUL POP AT IT’S MOST ACCESSIBLE’
Project U

“The song is invigorating and almost triumphal in its sound. A measured and relatable approach to writing a song about such a heavy topic, it definitely succeeds in conjuring that togetherness Wafia was aiming for.”
Purple Sneakers

“This Future Classic signee is flawless”
Run The Trap

Wafia shares intimate video with live version of ‘Bodies’; VIII EP moves to Jan 19 via Future Classic; world tour dates announced

The 24-year-old artist, Wafia, today releases a live version of her current single ‘Bodies’. The track was recorded with co-writer Ben Abraham and is accompanied by intimate home video footage from Wafia’s childhood. Watch it below:

“Over the years, my mother has chronicled our travels with family videos”, Wafia explains. “We are an immigrant family and this was the best way we could show family back home what our day to day life was like. In 2006 we visited Syria and this was the first time our family videos included them. This video is really special to my heart and is soundtracked by a live version of Bodies performed by it’s co-writer, Ben Abraham, and myself. From my family to yours.”

This live recording and home video follows the release of her official video for the single, which premiered via NYLON earlier this month and comes in support of Wafia’s highly anticipated VIII EP, which is now set for release on January 19 on Future Classic.

Wafia (Al-Rikabi) – who was born in the Netherlands to Syrian and Iraqi parents and is now based in Brisbane – wrote ‘Bodies’ on the day her Syrian family was denied permission to enter Australia amidst the escalating conflict there and Trump’s Muslim ban in America. ‘Bodies’ was co-written by Ben Abraham (Kesha’s ‘Praying’), produced by Robopop (Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX), and follows ’83 Days’, the first song released from the forthcoming VIII EP.

Wafia also today shares North American tour dates in January and February of 2018, in addition to European dates with BØRNS next month. Kicking off in Vancouver, the North American tour will make stops in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City and more. See below for full dates and details.

Pre-order VIII EP, including tracks ‘83 Days’ and ‘Bodies’ now.

WAFIA TOUR DATES

November 15 – London, UK – Scala*
November 16 – Amsterdam, NED – Q-Factory*
November 18 – Copenhagen, DK – Vega Small Hall*
November 19 – Stockholm, SE – Debaser Strand*
November 21 – Berlin, DE – Lido*
November 24 – Paris, FR – Les Etoiles Theatre*
January 1– Sydney, NSW – Field Day Festival
January 22 – Vancouver, BC – The Cobalt
January 23 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
January 24 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
January 26 – San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop
January 27 – Los Angeles, CA – Masonic Lodge
January 29 – Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern
January 30 – Toronto, ON – Drake Hotel
February 1 – Brooklyn NY – Rough Trade
February 2 – Boston, MA – Great Scott
February 3 – Washington, DC – Songbyrd

*with BØRNS
Tickets at wafiamusic.com

’Bodies’ is out now via Future Classic. Buy/stream it here.

PRAISE FOR WAFIA

“Wafia just can’t seem to put a foot wrong at the moment and with her latest single, “Bodies”, she’s all but confirmed that her forthcoming EP ‘VIII’ is going to be one helluva project. Following on from lead single “83 Days“, the new single is one of Wafia’s most sonically bold releases yet. Masked in extremely catchy synth-pop melodies and a singalong-ready hook, although the surface shines extremely bright, the cut’s beauty is in its underlying meaning.”
Best Before

“Wafia…is focused on making music that’s accessible to everyone.” 
VICE’s Broadly

“Wafia is using pop as protest. The 24-year-old makes a song about the Syrian refugee crisis ‘accessible’ with an uplifting, lightweight alt-pop melody.”
Harper’s Bazaar

“23-year-old singer songwriter Wafia is undoubtedly one of the most exciting Australian artists to emerge in recent years.”
Howl & Echoes

‘Hear Wafia’s Powerful And Personal Single About The Refugee Crisis’
Junkee Music

“With production characterized by weary low-end rumbles and resonant keys, [Ta-ku and Wafia] float above the music, playing off each other’s harmonies.”
NPR

‘Wafia continues to be one of Australia’s most important artists with her new single ‘Bodies’ – “The single is one of the most powerful of the year in both meaning and sound.’”
Pilerats

‘WAFIA’S ‘BODIES’ IS PURPOSEFUL POP AT IT’S MOST ACCESSIBLE’
Project U

“The song is invigorating and almost triumphal in its sound. A measured and relatable approach to writing a song about such a heavy topic, it definitely succeeds in conjuring that togetherness Wafia was aiming for.”
Purple Sneakers

“This Future Classic signee is flawless”
Run The Trap

‘Single Of The Day’ – “Wafia’s new single “Bodies” is another step forward for the artist as she continues to wear personal stories on her sleeve and articulate such candid experiences beautifully through music.”
The AU Review

“Cool, yearning R&B”
The FADER

WAFIA SHARES VIDEO FOR ‘BODIES’;  PRE-ORDER VIII EP OUT OCT 13 VIA FUTURE CLASSIC

Australian singer Wafia today shares her new video for current single, ‘Bodies’ which premiered on NYLON Magazine overnight. Watch the video below:

Director Alli Coates explains, “The video is a visual representation of the social divide ripping our world apart. The old world regimes of the west are clinging to this idea of a homogenised, heteronormative, nationalist society. Young men are trained to be aggressive and women are trained to be pageant ready pieces of meat.” 

Coates continues, “Wafia and I talked at length about the heat she had been feeling as a Muslim woman in Australia amidst a time of free-flying hate rhetoric. To me, Wafia represents the resistance against xenophobia, racism, and prejudice in the best way. She uses this as the fuel for her burning fire, she is the uprising against a life lead by fear.“

Wafia adds, “The first time I met Alli I was incredibly drawn towards her energy. Opening up to her about the meaning of Bodies and my experiences was effortless. When it came time to put the video together, Alli’s perspective was incredibly important because I never wanted this song or video to only stand for my story. We wanted it to feel inclusive to everyone that feels like they stand out to the people surrounding them.”

‘Bodies’ was co-written by Ben Abraham (Kesha, Praying), produced by Robopop (Lana Del Rey,Charli XCX) and follows the release of ‘83 Days’, Wafia’s first solo release since her debut XXIX EP in 2015 and the first track off her forthcoming VIII EP. The song is a particularly personal one for the singer — who was born in the Netherlands to Iraqi and Syrian parents — as it addresses her family’s struggle to escape the ongoing civil war in Syria, and to attain refugee status in Australia. Contrasting lyrics about the crisis with upbeat pop instrumentals, Wafia deliberately attempts to make the song’s message reach audiences beyond those already concerned with the Syrian conflict.

Following its radio and online premieres across triple j’s ‘Good Nights with Linda Marigliano’ and VICE’s Broadly, ‘Bodies’ received over 750k impressions in its first week, global play-listing support across Spotify and Apple Music including New Music Friday and was spotted on the Viral Charts in Australia, the U.K. and throughout Europe. The love for the track continued with tweets from American singer Khalid, as well as the Syrian American Medical Society, The Global Citizen Festival and The National Museum of Women in the Arts and was also named as “one of Australia’s most important artists” by local outlet Pilerats.

Fans of Wafia can catch her live show across her upcoming East Coast tour later this month, with Sydney-based vocalist and producer, Annie Bass now joining Buoy in both Sydney and Melbourne. Wafia is also set to support London Grammar at Brisbane’s Riverstage this weekend. Watch her live performance of ‘83 Days’ with co-writer Ben Abraham here before seeing it for yourself this September.

Pre-order VIII EP, including tracks ‘83 Days’ and ‘Bodies’ now.

WAFIA TOUR DATES
*with support from Buoy + Annie Bass

Saturday 23 September | Brisbane | Riverstage (supporting London Grammar)
Friday 29 September | Sydney | Oxford Art Factory*
Thursday 5 October | Melbourne | The Corner Hotel*
Monday 1 January | Sydney | Field Day Festival

Tickets at wafiamusic.com

’Bodies’ is out now via Future Classic. Buy/stream it here.

Stay connected with Wafia
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

LOVE FOR WAFIA

“Wafia just can’t seem to put a foot wrong at the moment and with her latest single, “Bodies”, she’s all but confirmed that her forthcoming EP ‘VIII’ is going to be one helluva project. Following on from lead single “83 Days“, the new single is one of Wafia’s most sonically bold releases yet. Masked in extremely catchy synth-pop melodies and a singalong-ready hook, although the surface shines extremely bright, the cut’s beauty is in its underlying meaning.”
Best Before

“23-year-old singer songwriter Wafia is undoubtedly one of the most exciting Australian artists to emerge in recent years.”
Howl & Echoes

‘Hear Wafia’s Powerful And Personal Single About The Refugee Crisis’
Junkee Music

“With production characterized by weary low-end rumbles and resonant keys, [Ta-ku and Wafia] float above the music, playing off each other’s harmonies.”
NPR

‘Wafia continues to be one of Australia’s most important artists with her new single ‘Bodies’ – “The single is one of the most powerful of the year in both meaning and sound.’”
Pilerats

‘WAFIA’S ‘BODIES’ IS PURPOSEFUL POP AT IT’S MOST ACCESSIBLE’
Project U

“The song is invigorating and almost triumphal in its sound. A measured and relatable approach to writing a song about such a heavy topic, it definitely succeeds in conjuring that togetherness Wafia was aiming for.”
Purple Sneakers

“This Future Classic signee is flawless”
Run The Trap

WAFIA SHARES NEW SINGLE ‘BODIES’; VIII EP OUT OCT 13 VIA FUTURE CLASSIC

Brisbane-based, Dutch/Iraqi artist Wafia (real name Wafia Al-Rikabi) today releases her new single ‘Bodies’, which premiered across triple j’s Good Nights with Linda Marigliano and across Broadlyearlier this week. Taken off her forthcoming VIII EP out via Future Classic on October 13, ‘Bodies’ calls on her family struggle across the on-going situation in Syria and is Wafia’s boldest, most personal work to date. Listen to it below:

Wafia explains:

“The idea is that I wanted to draw similarities between the large groups of Syrian Refugee’s walking miles to safety and those that can protest freely in the western world. I can’t think of anything more human and simple than reminding ourselves that we are fragile bodies but the strength that can come of bodies in large numbers. We live in a world where so many things are difficult and divisive but I wanted this song to be accessible and inclusive because at the end of the day we all want to be a part of something bigger than us and this is the best way I knew how to portray that.”

‘Bodies’ was co-written by Ben Abraham (Kesha, Praying), produced by Robopop (Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX) and follows the release of ‘83 Days’, Wafia’s first solo release since her debut XXIX EP in 2015 and the first track off her forthcoming VIII EP.

Fans of Wafia can catch her live show across her upcoming East Coast tour later this month, including a support set alongside London Grammar in Brisbane. See dates and details below.

WAFIA TOUR DATES
*with support from Buoy + special guests

Saturday 23 September | Brisbane | Riverstage (supporting London Grammar)
Friday 29 September | Sydney | Oxford Art Factory*
Thursday 5 October | Melbourne | The Corner Hotel*
Monday 1 January | Sydney | Field Day Festival

Tickets at wafiamusic.com

’Bodies’ is out now via Future Classic. Buy/stream it here.

Stay connected with Wafia
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

LOVE FOR WAFIA

“Cool, yearning R&B”
The FADER

“23-year-old singer songwriter Wafia is undoubtedly one of the most exciting Australian artists to emerge in recent years.”
Howl & Echoes

“With production characterized by weary low-end rumbles and resonant keys, [Ta-ku and Wafia] float above the music, playing off each other’s harmonies.”
NPR

“83 Days is all about her powerful vocal prowess…”
Pilerats

“The awareness Wafia has over her own music is incredible. Everything she writes is so acutely matched with an emotion, or many within the one song, and she knows exactly how to cathartically express everything.”
Project U 

“’83 Days’ beautifully assembles Wafia’s organic, heartfelt vocals and rich, mellow RnB chic with production from Toro, displaying raw emotional and vulnerability with genuinely smooth, humble aesthetics.”
Purple Sneakers

“This Future Classic signee is flawless”
Run The Trap

Rising vocalist and songwriter Wafia premieres the video for new single ‘83 Days’ today, featuring a live performance of the track alongside co-writer Ben Abraham (Kesha’s ‘Praying’). Watch it below. It is also available for free download here.

“Being able to sing these songs with my co-writer, longtime collaborator and friend, Ben Abraham, was really special for me,” says Wafia. “He’s a big part of my project and the conceptualisation of these songs so it’s super important to me that we can strip these songs back and sing them the way we wrote them.”

The new song, produced by Toro (Tory Lanez, Cashmere Cat, Kehlani), is the first from her forthcoming EP set for release via Future Classic later this year. ‘83 Days‘ has been streamed more than 1.2 million times to date, receiving critical acclaim online and extensive plays across tastemaker radio stations worldwide. Wafia also debuted the track live in May to sold-out crowds in New York and Los Angeles.

 ‘83 Days‘ follows last year’s collaborative (m)edian EP with Future Classic label mate Ta-ku and the duo’s subsequent world tour. Watch them perform for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert here.

’83 Days’ is out now via Future Classic.
Download the live version of ‘83 Days’ now or buy/stream it here.

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

LOVE FOR WAFIA

“Cool, yearning R&B”
The FADER

“23-year-old singer songwriter Wafia is undoubtedly one of the most exciting Australian artists to emerge in recent years.”
Howl & Echoes

“With production characterized by weary low-end rumbles and resonant keys, [Ta-ku and Wafia] float above the music, playing off each other’s harmonies.”
NPR

“83 Days is all about her powerful vocal prowess…”
Pilerats

“The awareness Wafia has over her own music is incredible. Everything she writes is so acutely matched with an emotion, or many within the one song, and she knows exactly how to cathartically express everything.”
Project U 

“’83 Days’ beautifully assembles Wafia’s organic, heartfelt vocals and rich, mellow RnB chic with production from Toro, displaying raw emotional and vulnerability with genuinely smooth, humble aesthetics.”
Purple Sneakers

“This Future Classic signee is flawless”
Run The Trap

Australian vocalist and songwriter Wafia returns today with her new single ’83 Days’, which premiered overnight on triple j’s Good Nights with Linda Marigliano. Co-written with Ben Abraham and produced by Toro, ’83 Days’ is the is her first solo release since her debut XXIX EP in 2015 and the first track from her forthcoming EP set for release via Future Classic in 2017.

Wafia says of the song, “This song comes after someone I love wouldn’t stay. I developed an obsession with noting down the ways their absence was so loud and present. How intangible they had become. How intangible the memories I was left with are. How I reminisce on only the highest points of the situation that I know were so bad for me. How something that ceased to exist anymore could be felt constantly.”

’83 Days’ is the most recent release from the 23 year old Netherlands born, Brisbane-based Wafia Al-Rikabi, which follows the collaborative (m)edian EP with label mate Ta-ku and the duo’s subsequent world tour. Watch their performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert here.

’83 Days’ is out now via Future Classic. Buy/stream it here.

Listen to it below: