Taleen: From Amman to Houston, Her Journey to Inspire

In the heart of Amman, Jordan, amidst the rich Arabic culture, Taleen drew her first breath. Arabic flowed from her lips before she even knew the world beyond her home. It was here, that the seeds of her musical journey were sown. From her earliest days, Taleen carried within her a deep reverence for her heritage. She knew that one day, she would weave these influences into the fabric of her art, a testament to her roots.

Raised in Los Angeles but now calling Houston home, Taleen has a vast pool of inspirations to draw from. Her influences in music come from artists like Prince, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Freddie Mercury, and Fairuz. Taleen describes her music as modern with a vintage feel. She made her official debut by releasing her first single, “Time Traveler,” in March 2023, which quickly garnered attention, giving Taleen a promising start to her musical career. Her second single, “DML (Deepen My Love),” was released in April 2024.

Her first memory of music growing up was watching MTV music videos. Even though her parents didn’t allow it, Taleen would wake up early on Saturday mornings. Taleen admits that she grew up in a very conservative household. Later on, her dad discovered that she could sing, and her journey to becoming an artist began, even though her parents were not fully convinced by it as a career. Pushing through those hard moments, Taleen made a decision to do vocal training in 2018, which would launch the start of her music career as we know it today. As a person, Taleen shares that she is very resilient, and that is what got her through the difficulties she faced earlier on. Honestly speaking, Taleen says that the journey to becoming an artist is not only challenging but also very daunting.

Taleen’s first studio memory was recording a song with a producer from Houston. After that day, she knew that she wanted to pursue music wholeheartedly. Speaking on the music scene in Houston, Taleen says that people are in love with music, and they show up to live shows even if you are up-and-coming. Looking towards the future, Taleen would like to work with Cleo Soul and Leon Bridges, both artists whom she looks up to. Producers that she would like to work with in the future include Timbaland, Metro Boomin, and Kaytranada, to name a few. Talking about her future releases, Taleen shares that fans can expect her to drop more music following the release of "DML," which is gaining traction online. Currently, she is working on a music video for her latest single.

"DML" was written in Taleen’s house, and she wanted the song to feel very heavy-hitting. The hook was the first thing that she wrote, and then she continued to finish the rest of the song. Her writing process varies from time to time, and the first line that she wrote was “deep in my frustrations.” Having recently done a few live shows, Taleen shares that she would practice a few days before the show, and on the day of the event, she hopes that everything will go well. With her star rising, Taleen shares that fans should not expect a full-length project just yet. Her first body of work will most likely be a mixtape before she decides to do an album.

“There’s a lot that goes into our lives daily that we should treat ourselves with love. Having a healthy lifestyle and educating myself on how I could show up for myself by being grateful for life and praying in the morning.” I think that gratitude is the greatest lesson for me. Every day I wake up and name a few things that I am grateful for, and I tell myself words of affirmation.”

Taleen

Taleen admits that she started off having a lot of self-doubt. She felt that there was a lack of support that she needed at the time to get to the level of the greats. "I am a bit of a perfectionist, so I put a lot of pressure on myself," she adds.

As Taleen reflects on her journey from Amman to Houston, from childhood MTV sessions to commanding live performances, it's clear that her path has been defined by resilience and a relentless pursuit of her artistic vision. Her music, a fusion of modern sensibilities with a vintage allure, speaks volumes about her diverse influences and unwavering commitment to her craft. From her debut single "Time Traveler" to the recent release of "DML (Deepen My Love)," Taleen's trajectory is marked by a palpable momentum, drawing attention and anticipation with each step.

Yet, amidst the rising tide of success, Taleen remains grounded, mindful of the challenges and grateful for the lessons learned along the way. As she looks ahead, eyes set on collaborations with revered artists and producers, Taleen's message of perseverance and self-love resonates deeply, echoing the sentiment that every dream is within reach for those who dare to pursue it.

As our conversation draws to a close, Taleen's honesty shines through, a testament to the authenticity that fuels her artistry and inspires audiences around the globe.