Dina Ayada: The Moroccan R&B hyper-pop princess

It’s not every day that a law grad from Morocco ditches the courtroom to go bar-for-bar in the rap world. But Egyptian-Moroccan sensation Dina Ayada really is just that girl. At just 20, Dina has taken her addictive fusion of hyper-pop, R&B, and glitchcore, earning a dedicated fan base and co-signs from heavyweights like Kanye West, Playboi Carti, Ty Dolla $ign and Swae Lee. After signing her first record deal, Dina released her debut EP, Superstar!, and premiered it on tour with Lil Tjay across Europe and Canada. This year, she joined Gunna on his latest US tour and headlined her own across China with her new EP, The Script. 

“I was in law school for two years before everything took off with my music career,” Dina tells Dazed MENA, explaining that opportunities began to emerge that she could no longer ignore. She soon reckoned with the fact that, while she enjoyed her studies, she couldn’t see herself in the field. “What truly inspired me was the feeling I get when I’m creating music, performing on stage, and spending time in the studio. That’s the lifestyle I want to live – one where I wake up every day and focus on my passion for music.”

After leaving academics behind, Dina segued into music like it was the next logical step – and clearly, it was. Her viral breakout with tracks like Miles Away and Popular showcased an artist unwilling to play by the rules, with Trippie-Redd like beats and euphoric melodies. Her track, Hummer, retains the addictive hooks that first put her on the map while pushing the envelope with daring, glitch-infused production. Her track Go! has her fans reeling, with a sonic rush that feels like hitting the gas on an open highway. 

Now based in LA, Dina has found herself on a whirlwind journey, having wrapped up a tour in China and now closing her last few shows for her Starlight world tour. She’s headlined at Rolling Loud in Europe and Thailand, as well as at Wireless Festival in Abu Dhabi; but it was opening for Gunna – someone Dina has admired for years – that cemented her sense of belonging in the industry. “Spending time with him offstage really had a profound impact on me,” Dina shares with Dazed. “Gunna’s genuine, respectful nature reminded me of home and the importance of staying grounded, no matter how far you go. He’s taught me so much about life and music… That experience is something I’ll carry with me as I continue to evolve as an artist.”

Dubbed the ‘Moroccan Ice Spice’, Dina draws comparisons to other young, rising stars with her effortless cool and undeniable impact on youth culture. But the truth is, Dina is paving her own lane, creating music grounded in her unshakeable values. “What fuels my creative process is a combination of personal experiences, my connection with God, and the people I care about – my family, friends and community,” she shares. “My relationship with God plays a central role, grounding me and guiding my creativity in a positive direction. And I’m always looking for ways to express growth in my music.”

Dina’s Moroccan and Egyptian roots find their subtle ways to seep into her sound. “Growing up with a mix of Arabic and European influences, I naturally incorporate elements of North African culture into my sound and style,” she notes. “Whether it’s through subtle musical elements or the imagery in my visuals, I want to represent where I come from and show the world the depth and creativity that exists in the region.”

Ultimately, Dina is passionate about seeing artists with similar backgrounds gain the global recognition they deserve. “There is so much talent, innovation and rich cultural heritage in the SWANA region that deserves to be showcased on a larger scale,” she notes, emphasising the power of storytelling through the region’s lens. ““I believe that the next few years will be pivotal for artists from SWANA, and I’m excited to see more voices from our region lead the conversation in music, fashion, film and other creative fields.”
Gearing up for an electrifying tour across Europe, Dina is most looking forward to connecting with her audience on a deeper level. “This tour will give me the chance to perform my latest tracks live and bring my energy and message to new cities,” she says. “I can’t wait to see how fans react to my new material. It’s a thrilling time for me, and I’m excited for what lies ahead!”