Ballymun born singer Zeinab has been putting out music for the better part of a decade now.
With a number of singles under her belt, multiple TV appearances and popularity that is only growing, the soulful R&B musician spoke to Dublin Live about her future ambitions and where she sees her career going.
One thing is clear from a chat with Zeinab. Her ambitions for success are born out of a pure love for music. Her inspirations include Adele, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Ocean and Beyonce. So it's no surprise that her sound is full of spirit and soul.
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Speaking about her journey to where she is today, Zeinab revealed: "I've been professionally making music since around 2014. I was in university in London studying musical theatre but that wasn't what I fully wanted to do.
"London was the perfect place to connect with R&B musicians. That's when I started writing seriously.
"I didn't actually release anything for a while. I was always getting in my own way, but eventually I needed to bite the bullet and just release something."
Perhaps Zeinab's most joyous song is You Don't Know, a single filled with attitude and boppy badass inspiration.
"I wrote that with a mate called Joe Clear who has been a mentor of mine,2 said Zeinab.
"I wanted a Beyonce kind of track. Our reference track was Crazy in Love."
Speaking about her connection to Ballymun, Zeinab said: "I grew up in the Ballymun flats and lived there until I was eight. I went to primary school there. I've lived in Finglas for the majority of my life, but I have more of a connection to Ballymun having gone to school there.
"I've done so much in the Axis. Anytime I go there I feel like part of the family. There are so many names that have been coming out of Ballymun for years."
Zeinab is one of the many up and coming Dublin singers with plans to make her mark on the world of music. When asked if there were any other Dublin artists that should be on people's radar, two in particular came to mind straight away.
She said: "I've been so obsessed with CMAT. She's so witty. I love the fact that she worked chicken fillet rolls into a song lyric. She's so inspirational for having such a strong brand. Her music videos are brilliant.
"Adam Mohammad is brilliant. Both of our dads are Sudanese and know each other from Ballymun. I've known Adam since he was tiny. I remember someone sending me his spoken work piece. He's so good. People really need to check him out."
With a repertoire of singles behind her that gives listeners a true feel for who Zeinab is, she is gearing up for her next release on May 6.
Summertime promises to be the ultimate summer anthem, a song that Zeinab says is the perfect companion for driving with all the windows down.
"It's very Fresh Prince, DJ Jazzy Jeff kind of vibe," she said.
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