South Jersey Artist Feature: Rawan
South Jersey Cultural Alliance is thrilled to highlight Rawan, an Egyptian American artist and songwriter from New Jersey, actualizes her Arabic namesake and reaches a global and diverse audience. Her songs currently stream in over 60 countries. Rawan's nonconformist sound and style are featured in her debut EP “Worn Out Lover”, which was recognized by artists like Yuna and Lil Nas X. Honoring her generation's moment, Rawan dreams of her art becoming a force within the movement committed to deconstructing and challenging stigmas. SJCA has had the pleasure to have Rawan perform at The Heart of South Jersey exhibition and 2nd Saturday in Midtown, Atlantic City!
Can you tell us about your music?
Rawan: Well, I started to get into music at a really young age. I was a really big fan of Hannah Montana growing up and I thought she was the coolest popstar ever (she still is). Feeling inspired by her, I started singing her songs and writing music. I would write little songs and make little rhymes and go to school and share with my friends and they would all be very excited. After that I started to build more courage to go on stage and to sing in front of people. When Covid hit and everybody was home I took the opportunity to start recording my own music and publishing it as an independent artist.
Can you tell us about your latest single, With You?
Rawan: My new song “With You” is a song I had so much fun writing and recording in the studio. It's such a fun song that talks about being in love and the initial rush that you get from somebody. I talk a lot about my feelings in my music and as a hopeless romantic I am bound to be dramatic. This song just talks a lot about wanting to be with somebody all the time and spending every moment with them and how you feel very light when doing so. Just being young, having a lot of feelings and having fun.
How has South Jersey impacted your songwriting practice?
Rawan: Growing up in South Jersey my whole life it's hard to not appreciate and realize the impact that it has on me as an artist. All of my experiences and my feelings that I've talked about in my music have happened right here. From writing my songs to recording music videos to being at the studio all of it is happening in South Jersey.
You can stream, watch and follow Rawan here! You can also follow her on Tik-Tok and purchase merch here!
