Taleen is the Voice for Those Less Heard
Check out her newest single, “DML (Deepen My Love).”
Photo by @donniedeathwish
Taleen is proud; Proud to embrace her Palestinian-Jordanian heritage, proud to use her voice as a form of advocacy and expression for women and human rights, and proud to transcend her listeners into the past and future. Born in Amman, Jordan, raised in Los Angeles, and based in Houston, Texas, she taps into every region’s music style in which she’s resided. The multidisciplinary artist, who recently released her single, “DML (Deepen My Love),” takes listeners on a time journey — blending Soul and R&B with Middle Eastern roots — leading to a nostalgic yet unspoken place. Starting music at a young age, her sound is reminiscent of her inspirations Prince, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Freddie Mercury, and Fairuz. We spoke with Taleen about her approach to creating music, using music as a form of advocacy, and what’s on the horizon for the upcoming star.
Hi Taleen, tell me a bit about yourself as an artist.
I’m a Palestinian Jordanian woman, born in Amman. I moved to LA with my family when I was really young, and I’m now based in Houston. I would consider myself a soul/r&b artist, and while I come from a conservative home, I’ve found this interesting middle ground between Middle Eastern and Western culture with my music. Arabic is my first language, and I think I learned to sing before I even spoke. I’ve been in love with music and art from a very young age.
What influences your art and music?
As a child, I wasn’t allowed to listen to music, so I used to wake up super early while my family was asleep to watch MTV. I fell in love with Beyonce, Destiny’s Child, Prince, Michael Jackson, and Amy Winehouse. I also fell in love with Coldplay and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They definitely influenced my music.
How does your background influence your music?
It’s interesting when artists have a very unique background because I grew up in a conservative home where everything was very meticulous. I wasn’t allowed to do much because my family wanted to protect me from the world. I felt a bit oppressed and hidden from life when I actually had a big sense of curiosity. Naturally, when you’re oppressed, you express yourself through your art. It was an outlet for me to write about my experiences. I also think that from a young age, as a Palestinian, you know that the world is messed up. I grew up with a sense of compassion for a lot of things, and I wanted an outlet to express myself.
How do you advocate for your beliefs through your art?
As someone who stays steadfast in their virtues, I advocate for people to heal first and foremost, and that’s something that’s universal. If I can influence people to look within themselves, that’s how I’m advocating for humanity through my music. Especially for women, so that they’re able to be themselves in a way that doesn’t make them conform to anything and feel small. That’s the message I want to get across and the story I want to tell.
What’s the meaning behind DML?
DML stands for ‘Deepen My Love,’ it’s an acronym that people just started saying. It’s about my personal experiences, and it’s also for others who can relate. I am a young woman who can be sought after by many in a generation that’s always in lust and afraid to trust. I want to find something that fills your cup in a way that allows you to be loved and understood. The meaning is also about refusing to settle for anyone or anything until I meet a connection that truly loves me and understands me, whether that’s a partner or a sense of security.
Do you have any upcoming music or features?
Absolutely! I am sitting on a lot of work that I’m really excited to drop soon. I don’t have any features as of right now, but I’m definitely not opposed to that in the future.
