Check Out Raya Ackleh’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raya Ackleh.

Hi Raya, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As an Arab-American, I grew up in a musical household, especially due to my father who is a professional musician, singer, and performer. I always loved music growing up, and as you can imagine I grew up listening to music from both cultures – Arab and American – and I’ve always loved writing songs. I started professionally recording at my home studio around age 13, but I didn’t start releasing music until this year. My first single ‘Time of Day’ I released in February, and my second single ‘3ARABIYE’ I released in March. Both songs mean a lot to me, but 3ARABIYE is really significant for me because it’s my first song in Arabic and English. It was the first time I created and finished a song, and been so immensely proud because it showcases both sides of me. 3ARABIYE means “Arab woman” and the song is a nod to the power, confidence, and beauty of Arab women. It’s meant to be an empowering song for women, especially Arab women. A couple months ago, I met Soulja Boy on a film set and showed him 3ARABIYE and explained the meaning. He loved the song and played it a couple times in his tour bus with me. He was really cool, and hearing him tell me how he liked the song and thought my writing and the meaning behind it was awesome really meant a lot! Since releasing, I’ve performed in two festivals and a release party, and I’m looking forward to more performances soon! I’m currently working on more music in both Arabic and English, and I’m so excited to continue releasing.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t say it’s been smooth… The reason I recorded for years before finishing and releasing music is because I would go through these “phases” of being so dedicated to my music and writing and recording for a couple weeks to a month, and then the phase would “end” because I’d get discouraged in my own head or I’d get busy with school or something. Then a couple months later, my spark will reignite, I’ll get motivated, and the cycle starts again. When I wrote my song ‘Time of Day’ last October, and I got a connection at a recording studio in Athens, GA, I told myself I wasn’t going to get in my own head, or get distracted. I wasn’t going to stop until I released music. And sure enough, a few months later, I released ‘Time of Day’ and soon after ‘3ARABIYE’. I’ve been on a roll since, connecting with more producers, writing more music, and planning upcoming releases. It’s been such a relief to finally release music because it feels like I got the ball rolling and now I can’t stop. Having support from my family and friends definitely means a lot as well. And music means so much to me – I’m so happy that I’m finally pursuing it fully.
I’ve faced hardships in my life, many that I won’t speak about, but one of the biggest was in February when I lost my dear grandmother… she was a rock in my life. She always supported me, encouraged me, and loved me despite being in a different continent. We would call and videochat all the time. I heard nothing but positivity and love from her. She would pray for me and our family every night. She had one of the kindest hearts I’ve ever known. I loved and love her so incredibly much. We lost her a week before I was going to release Time of Day… based on my history of giving up after periods of time, I was ready to quit. My family means more to me than anything, and I was absolutely crushed. I didn’t know how to continue. Grief is something I’ve dealt with before a couple years ago with my dear uncle, but it’s not something I’ve ever fully figured out… I don’t think grief is something that CAN be figured out. I took a couple days off from college after finding out about my grandma’s passing. I spent those days and the next crying in my room. Until this day I still can’t believe she’s gone, and I don’t know that I’ll ever really be able to accept it. It doesn’t feel real. After she passed, thoughts of quitting and canceling the release came to my mind immediately, but I thought to myself about what my grandma would say. What she would want me to do. She wouldn’t want me to quit or give up. She always empowered me and made me feel like I could do anything. I delayed the release by a week, and released in honor of her. I continued in honor of her. Coincidentally, the last gift my grandmother gave me last summer was a beautiful watch. I think she might’ve predicted my first release ‘Time of Day’ with that gift. I’m glad I chose to release the song anyways, and I’m so grateful to God that I was blessed with a grandmother like her, who instilled such encouragement in me, that I could feel it even after she passed… I hope to make her proud always.
Something that I’m sure a lot of Arabs and specifically Palestinians can agree with is the struggle of simply living life and being happy despite what’s going on back home – especially Palestine for me. My heart always hurts for my people back home – go the suffering and torture they are experiencing. My people are being murdered constantly… it’s hard to act like it’s not happening – I can’t act like it’s not happening. For some time, I didn’t know what to do – I felt like I had to be depressed. Then I realized that I should live my life, work hard, and do my best to succeed in everything I do in honor of all the Palestinians who can’t. That keeps me going. If I ever feel like quitting or giving up again, I remind myself of the reasons I keep going, and honoring my people and making a name for Palestine is one of them.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a third culture kid. Not kid really – I just turned 21, but that’s the term I know. My parents are from a different country and they moved to America before having me, so I was born here. I feel torn between two cultures sometimes. I’ve gotten into the rhythm of being fluid between the two and embracing both. Having that life experience of two cultures is very interesting, and I’m realizing that there are a lot more people like me. I love American pop, LOVE it. And When I listen to modern Arabic pop – it feels like me, like something only I can understand. So when creating music – what could I do but combine the two? My first single was only in English. My second is in English and Arabic. I’m currently working on music in just English and in Arabic and English. In the future, I might write songs completely in Arabic. I just love that I can combine both sides of me, and hopefully help create a space where other third culture kids don’t feel alone.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Believe in yourself. I know it’s hard sometimes, but you have to find a way to do it. I had so much support from outside of me, but it wasn’t enough until I believed in myself. My dad always told me that you can do anything you put your mind to, and I truly believe that. And remember that you are loved. God loves you, and you should love yourself too.

Much love habaybi!

(Habaybi means “my loved ones” in Arabic)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayaackleh
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CA4aauhGE/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rayaackleh
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/74UXvzcEpT1wFqcA9UqZ0O