Emirati singer and performer Alya has released her debut single, Lemonade. Blending contemporary pop and R&B with Arabic-influenced rhythms, the track is the first single from her forthcoming debut EP and marks the beginning of Alya’s journey from the UAE to an international audience.
Born and raised in Dubai to an Emirati father and British mother, Alya, a talented dancer, actress, and recording artist, is making her global pop debut at 21. The single is released by gamma., the global music and media company co-founded by Larry Jackson.
At the heart of Lemonade is a young woman who knows her worth, confidence, chemistry and the excitement of a youthful crush, while inviting someone into her world on her own terms. An English-language pop track, Lemonade pairs Alya’s confident delivery – moving between sweetness and attitude – with catchy melodies, infectious hooks and a danceable beat blending contemporary pop production, R&B grooves, warm Middle Eastern textures and Arab-influenced drums. Bright, refreshing and memorable, the song is designed to feel like the soundtrack to a carefree summer.
Commenting on her debut with Lemonade, Alya said: “I loved every part of bringing Lemonade to life, from recording in Los Angeles to developing the choreography and working with incredible talent in the UAE and internationally. It feels like the perfect introduction to this new chapter – fun, confident and unexpected. I hope it makes people want to dance and feel fierce. I’m proud to begin this journey and take a piece of home with me as I introduce my art to audiences around the world.”
The song was recorded in Los Angeles as part of ALYA’s debut EP, produced by Afterhrs, the creative team managed by Big Family and associated with major hits for artists including Teddy Swims, Maroon 5 and One Direction. Shot in New York, the music video captures ALYA’s playful and confident energy, propelling her performance background to the forefront through expressive choreography and bold styling.
This upbeat track marks the first major milestone in a journey shaped by Alya’s lifelong passion for music and dance. Growing up surrounded by music and inspired by watching her mother sing, she taught herself to sing and dance before pursuing music seriously at 14. Growing up, she drew inspiration from Beyoncé and Michael Jackson whose music and stage presence helped shape her ambitions as a performer.
At 18, Alya received a full scholarship and completed a one-year programme at Urdang, a leading London conservatoire for dance and musical theatre, where she trained in hip-hop, commercial dance, jazz, tap and ballet alongside acting and vocal development.
Alongside her role as a singer and performer, Alya plays an active role in shaping the EP’s artistic identity. She co-writes the majority of her songs and contributes to their wider creative direction, including the music, artwork and visual concepts.
Alya’s upcoming debut EP will further explore the blend of pop, R&B, dance and regional influences shaping her evolving sound. Lemonade is now available across all major music-streaming platforms.
You can listen to the song here https://vyd.co/AlyaLemonade.