Growing up in the 'Ville
Dawn grew up in the Winter Hill neighborhood of Somerville and feels as though her music is a reflection of her hometown. When she was growing up, she said, her neighborhood was violent and many struggled with addiction.
"People from Somerville can understand my words in my songs because they grew up just like I did," she said. "They know exactly what I'm talking about and exactly how it feels. People will understand that they are not alone in what they are feeling. It's been a long road, but I’m glad I am where I am.”
At 15, she was adopted by her aunt and uncle and her life began to change. It was a difficult adjustment at first, living in a new house with new legal guardians.
“I think it's just the fact that you grow up, and you aren't with your biological parents, and then you're going from house to house, and your mom is there for a minute and then she's not, and your dad doesn't even exist in your life until you're older," said Dawn. "I was the only Black person in the family, and I’m half Puerto Rican. I felt like an outsider in my own home.
The Tea‘ from the soulful multi-skilled Boston native Riah Dawn, is the type of song you feel compelled to listen to again and again, as she has such a pure voice that helps you to unwrapped any self-doubt and throw it away. Opening yourself up to new and exciting possibilities is the only way to truly grow and to follow those goals and dreams you have deep inside you. This is the type of artist that shows you where the key is, as she has been there and knows what it feels like.
Unlocking that happy side of you is possible, if you believe in yourself enough and want to walk through into the sunlight.
XXTRA WAVE
My name is Riah Dawn and I am a singer and songwriter from Boston MA. My song, “Count Me in”, was written while reflecting on being a Hispanic and African American child who was adopted into a Caucasian family. Growing up constantly dealing with an identity crisis and trying to fit in with those around me, and white culture in general, was extremely challenging and truly shaped who I have become. As I grew older, I began creating relationships with my biological parents which really made me realize....
SINGERSROOM
Riah Dawn’s “The Tea” suggested that we might be getting a little dirt out of the song we were about to hit play on. However, what felt like it might be a dis track off the title alone was soon a complete switch flip on what we have come to think of when we heard the phrase “the tea.”
In a world where we can’t even turn on our phone without hearing something negative about us or someone else, especially with everything going on in the world, Riah calls out those with hateful motives in a blatant show of love and respect for the person feeling hated. This empowerment song is certainly one that every woman needs in her playlist arsenal for days when the trolls try to win.
Whether you have...
