New York, NY (Top40 Charts) It's hard to imagine a 13-year-old belt out powerful vocal runs, but that's what secured Lynn Hayek's title as the first winner of The Voice Kids Arabia in 2016. Today at 14, the Lebanese songstress still boasts power vocals that defy her years and brings technical melisma to a song. Out today, "Party Language" is the budding star's latest single and debut into the U.S. market.
Produced by Grammy Award winner Oak, "Party Language" features a hypnotic Arabic maqam reminiscent of Lynn's background paired with English lyrics that can be likened to a contemporary Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time." The video's schoolhouse setting becomes a fitting backdrop to both the song and
September beginnings; it marks Lynn's first English song but not her first major coup.
In 2016, millions in the eastern hemisphere fell in love with a then 13-year-old Lynn Hayek during her reign as a contestant on The Voice Kids Arabia. Shortly after, she released her debut video "Am Bi'akbar" ("I Am Growing Up") which has since garnered over 10 million views on YouTube.
Part of Lynn Hayek's appeal stems from her ability to express teenage growing pains and discovery when she sings, offering full emotion through her vocals and an occasional mischievous smile paired with wide-eyed wonder. Al Saher, one of the judges of The Voice Kids, praised Hayek in an article appearing in The
National for having "one of the most beautiful voices I've ever encountered. When she sings on stage, I can see she is trying to prove her worth and her place on that stage. She has incredible feeling."
Originally from Mina, the port area of Tripoli, Lynn Hayek grew up by the sea. "I haven't studied music, but the sound of the sea and the streets are music to me," she says in the article by The National. Despite receiving no musical training, Lynn's talent boasts an incredible ability to sing technically difficult songs. Her voice carries a warm tone that is reminiscent of soulful divas. Her inspirations mirror that charisma and include traditional Lebanese performers such as Melhem Zein, and kindred stars propelled under the spotlight at a very young age, such as
Ariana Grande.
Lynn is currently working on her second Arabic song 'Bokra Tareekh' with a global message for peace. To launch the record, Platinum Records has partnered with Generations for Peace and MBC Hope as part of a youth empowerment campaign. The "Narratives for Peace" event focuses on reframing the conversation around how the general public discusses peace and peace-building. Through a collaborative spirit with the Creative/Arts/Entertainment/Marketing/Advertising/Media and
Private sectors, the initiative aims to build a much more energetic and dynamic perspective on contemporary issues. On Friday, Sept. 21 (International Day of Peace) Lynn will perform the song live at the United Nations in New York alongside gospel singers Stanley Brown and
Stephanie Fisher.
