Avoiding a Toxic Culture with Laila Barakat’s Debut Single “Hollywood”
By: Noam Halberstadt (Rocket Fuel Records)
Every once in a while, a young new pop artist breaks through the clutter and catches the attention of music fans and critics alike. Laila Barakat is no exception. This multi-talented 17-year-old singer/songwriter has it all going. Laila is a ”rising star with her new song Hollywood” (Bob Johnston Former MCA Records Executive) and the song shows an incredibly mature view on the toxic “pop star” culture that most people associate with successful popular music.
Lyrically, the song speaks to a new generation of listeners who are influenced by a culture of independent thought and musical preferences. Laila critiques the toxicity of the Hollywood persona and asserts that one does not need to be a part of that culture to make authentic original music. The song is incredibly dynamic and the tension seems to naturally build to a dramatic climax which really makes the listener say “Yeah! Maybe I DON’T need Hollywood!” Her classy vocal style is paired beautifully with an arrangement that emphasizes deep bass tones and intricate rhythms and allows for her voice to really stand out in the mix. Laila continues to push the boundaries of traditional pop music as she ventures into a more original approach.
Stream on Spotify
Follow Laila Barakat
