Artist Spotlight: Dana Naidu Unveils The Stories Within Her Neo-soul Debut

Neo-soul and R&B fans, let EnVi introduce you to your newest musical obsession — Dana Naidu. The Dubai born-and-raised songstress just made her solo debut with the confident single, “SOMETIMES.” When asked to describe herself, she simply stated: “I’m an artist, I’m here for the ride, I love the journey.” Dana affirmed that she is someone whose talents must be experienced — and luckily for curious audiences, she possesses a whole catalog of talents. 

EnVi connected with Dana via Zoom on the cusp of midnight in Dubai. Dana dove into her unshakable affinity for the arts, steadfast commitment to authenticity, and reflective debut single. Despite the late hour, her positivity and passion radiated throughout the entire conversation like sunshine.

Creating With Community

Dana has always innately known that she wanted to pursue music, but she answered the call amidst the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. During the pandemic, she uploaded singing covers and connected with other regional musicians. What she consistently advocated for through her music is community and empowerment, which rings true to this day. 

She strongly identifies with the concept of being a “third culture kid” as she is of Tamil and Russian descent, but raised in Dubai. Though she grappled with her identity growing up, it later became a key component of how she addressed her artistry. “Growing up, I didn’t really have much of a community being a third culture kid and moving back and forth,” Dana said. “I just feel like, with my music, I’m going to be able to find that community.” 

Another major part of Dana’s identity is her queerness. As a proud queer creative, she aims to be a safe space for the LGTBQIA+ community. Nothing quite compares to queer yearning — and Dana seeks to sonically capture those deep feelings. “I fully write my music for the girls and the gays,” Dana enthusiastically shared. “That is the audience that I want to be sharing my music with!” Through her music and advocacy, Dana wants to let audiences know that she is a beacon of support. 

A Debut Carved By Destiny

On April 24th, Dana dropped her debut single “SOMETIMES.” This R&B, neo-soul song is an atmospheric fantasy. The song opens with shimmering percussion and layered vocal harmonies that instantly allure audiences. The charming melodies and deep bassline are the perfect accompaniment to Dana’s silky-smooth vocals. Dana’s emotive delivery brings each line to life — allowing listeners to feel the intention behind every word she sings. “SOMETIMES” is not only sonically rich, but thematically rich. 

Nestled within the song’s multidimensional groove is Dana’s personal story. Through “SOMETIMES,” Dana speaks to those who unapologetically love hard, and encourages those more hesitant to embrace these emotions. She sings honest lines like “Been too scared to open up my heart again / But you make it easy” and “Set aside my / Inhibitions / I don’t mind leaving everythin’ behind.” 

Dana initially had two other songs in the pipeline to be her first release. However, after creating “SOMETIMES,” it seemed like the song was destined to be her grand debut. “After I finished writing ‘SOMETIMES,’ I kind of realized the song was actually about me falling in love with myself, and accepting the sound that I was creating,” Dana reflected. “That was the song where I allowed myself to kind of come to terms with who I am as an artist. ‘SOMETIMES’ felt like the perfect song to be my first song out there, because it will fully allow my audience to get to know me completely.” 

Tasty Biscuits And Tattoos

Dana and art have been inseparable for as long as she can recall. “Everything about me is just art,” Dana shared. It is no surprise that her creative endeavors extend far beyond the realm of just singing. Dana is not only the vocalist for the band, The Tasty Biscuits, but also the creative director. The Tasty Biscuits was born from a group of friends who shared the same passion and vision for music. As the creative director, Dana takes charge of stage design, shoots, lighting, and promotional graphics. “Becoming creative director for the band was something I kind of just took on because I have all creative bones in my body,” Dana said. “If there was anything that involved producing an idea, they would just let me handle it.” 

The Tasty Biscuits deliver an authentic R&B sound that deviates from other bands in the region. The band’s work culminates at an annual show they host in August called “The Tasting Session Live.” Between June and July, the band dedicates themselves to write and create a whole album to showcase at the event.. This year, Dana shared that listeners can anticipate “soul, electric, and even a little gospel” from The Tasty Biscuits!

Dana is also a tattoo artist, who picked up the skill on a whim in 2019. Dana ended up having the steadiest hand out of her friends who spontaneously ordered a tattoo kit online. Fast forward to six years later, and she is booking clients through her dedicated Instagram account, Sqwigglies! Dana is the word “creative” personified — eager to share her various modes of expression with the world.

Inspirations, Aspirations

Dana credits women artists like Annie Tracy, Jazmine Sullivan, and Kehlani as her inspirations. “These artists are people that empower me just by existing because I feel like they give me permission to be the artist that I want to be — just by being themselves,” she said. Dana not only aligns with their music, but the message these powerful women aim to share through their artistry. 

Last month, Dana opened up for British singer-songwriter RAYE in Abu Dhabi. Dana, being a huge supporter of RAYE, took that opportunity to personally thank her. “When I walked up to her [RAYE], the first thing I said was, ‘Thank you for giving me permission to be myself.’” she revealed. “The way she advocates for songwriting, the way she walks on stage barefoot… I feel like all of these are things that give me the space to be the artist I want to be.” 

Dana is not only outspoken about her love for art, but her love for the community who cultivate a safe and empowering space. She is already shaping up to be a source of inspiration for many aspiring creatives. Dana mentioned how she sees herself within the young artists who are outspoken about their admiration for her. For those feeling motivated to pursue their dreams, she says, “Just go for it! Don’t worry, take the first step and everything else will follow — as long as you’re doing it with the right intention.”

No Limit To Dana’s Artistry

The year is halfway over — but Dana is making the most out of the remaining six months. Dana hopes to release another song and perform on a large stage outside of Dubai. On a quest to continuously elevate her music, Dana wants to release alternate versions of her original songs. In her latest project, “Living Room Session,” Dana utilizes her living room to bring her music to life. The first installment featuring “SOMETIMES” released on May 25 and is a must-see, as she transformed her living room into an intimate music venue complete with a string quartet, double bass, and keys.

There are many things to learn from and be inspired by when tuning into Dana’s music. To Dana, “music is more than just sound, it’s about connection.” That statement best describes who Dana is, not only as a musician, but as a multifaceted creative. Her music and message transcend all barriers as she speaks to the heart. Whether it is through her magnetic personality, multipotentiality, or even the fire she ignites within the hearts of other aspiring artists — audiences find themselves connected to Dana in one way or another. 

Stream “SOMETIMES” on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Keep up with Dana Naidu on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Looking for more women singer-songwriters for your playlists? Check out EnVi’s artist spotlight with Taiwanese singer-songwriter Whyte (?te) here!