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We asked Astroye about her music, her creative process, and the words that carry the most weight in her scene.
1. What almost ended up being your artist name before you landed on ‘Astroye’?
I actually started out under the name 'Qannas,' and I still have a lot of respect for those early days. It’s a name that a core group of my original listeners still remembers me by. But as my sound evolved, I realized I needed a name that actually reflected the world I was building.
I actually started out under the name 'Qannas,' and I still have a lot of respect for those early days. It’s a name that a core group of my original listeners still remembers me by. But as my sound evolved, I realized I needed a name that actually reflected the world I was building.
I transitioned to 'Astroye' because it fits the character and the specific style I’ve developed over time. It feels more like a true representation of where I am now.
2. If someone heard just one track from you, which should it be, and why?
I’ve never really liked the idea of having one 'perfect' single and a bunch of filler tracks. I want someone to be able to hit 'shuffle' on my profile and, no matter what comes up, feel like they’re getting the real me. Every song has its own vibe, but the quality stays the same. I’d rather a listener find the track that fits their mood in that moment than try to force-feed them one specific 'first impression.
I’ve never really liked the idea of having one 'perfect' single and a bunch of filler tracks. I want someone to be able to hit 'shuffle' on my profile and, no matter what comes up, feel like they’re getting the real me. Every song has its own vibe, but the quality stays the same. I’d rather a listener find the track that fits their mood in that moment than try to force-feed them one specific 'first impression.
3. Weirdest place you’ve ever written a bar/lyric?
I’m a firm believer that inspiration doesn't wait for the 'perfect' moment. I do my best work when I’m navigating new spaces and staying curious.
I’m a firm believer that inspiration doesn't wait for the 'perfect' moment. I do my best work when I’m navigating new spaces and staying curious.
One of my favorite tracks was actually written on my way from University to work. I ended up crouched on the sidewalk with my notebook because I was so determined to capture the idea in the moment. To me, the lack of a traditional workspace isn't a barrier; it's just part of the process.
4. What’s your toxic creative habit?
I’m incredibly prolific, but I’m also my own toughest critic. Because I’m constantly evolving with my producer, we often find that our newest work outshines what we did just a few weeks prior.
I’m incredibly prolific, but I’m also my own toughest critic. Because I’m constantly evolving with my producer, we often find that our newest work outshines what we did just a few weeks prior.
While I’ve left projects behind in the past to chase a higher standard of quality, I’ve recently focused on 'finishing for the sake of growth' so that my best ideas actually reach the audience.
5. What’s something you had to unlearn to grow musically?
For a long time, I think I was creating from a place of 'humility' that actually ended up being a limitation. I had to intentionally unlearn those guards and the habits that were keeping my sound and lyrics safe. By breaking down those walls, I’ve been able to put much more genuine effort into the work.
For a long time, I think I was creating from a place of 'humility' that actually ended up being a limitation. I had to intentionally unlearn those guards and the habits that were keeping my sound and lyrics safe. By breaking down those walls, I’ve been able to put much more genuine effort into the work.
It’s allowed me to balance vulnerability with strength, and I think my music is much more impactful now because it’s finally coming from an authentic place.
6. What word from your dialect hits hardest in your scene/crowd, and why?
I’ve found that my audience really resonates with the authentic elements of my local dialect. There’s a specific way we blend the 'a' and 'o' vowels in my community that feels very 'home' to people. I used to think of it as just the way we speak, but I’ve realized it’s a powerful cultural touchstone.
6. What word from your dialect hits hardest in your scene/crowd, and why?
I’ve found that my audience really resonates with the authentic elements of my local dialect. There’s a specific way we blend the 'a' and 'o' vowels in my community that feels very 'home' to people. I used to think of it as just the way we speak, but I’ve realized it’s a powerful cultural touchstone.
Embracing those original Arabic accents has allowed me to connect with my listeners on a deeper, more nostalgic level, and they’ve shown a lot of appreciation for that cultural honesty.
7. Who’s an artist from your city that deserves more love?
While he’s not from my city, I’d have to point to REVU. He’s the producer who really pushed me to evolve and find my new sound. What I appreciate most about him is his work ethic; he has a way of stressing the quality of every detail that really changed how I approach my own projects.
7. Who’s an artist from your city that deserves more love?
While he’s not from my city, I’d have to point to REVU. He’s the producer who really pushed me to evolve and find my new sound. What I appreciate most about him is his work ethic; he has a way of stressing the quality of every detail that really changed how I approach my own projects.
He’s one of those rare creative artists who genuinely cares about the community and creates space for others to grow. His influence on my career has been huge, and his work definitely deserves a wider spotlight.
8. Dream collab: who’s on your wishlist & why?
I’ve been lucky that every feature and collaboration I’ve done has felt like the right fit. It’s also been a goal of mine to do this interview for some time, so it’s great to be here. As for the future, I’m really interested in 'multimedia' collaborations.
8. Dream collab: who’s on your wishlist & why?
I’ve been lucky that every feature and collaboration I’ve done has felt like the right fit. It’s also been a goal of mine to do this interview for some time, so it’s great to be here. As for the future, I’m really interested in 'multimedia' collaborations.
My dream would be to partner with a graffiti or canvas artist. I’m fascinated by how music and visual art can feed into each other, and I’d love to bring that kind of raw, street-art energy into my creative process.
9. If your music were a place, where would it be?
If I had to visualize my music, I’d describe it as a magenta-colored planet somewhere in deep space. I’m really drawn to creating 'spacey' atmospheric vibes that feel immersive, but I balance that with a lot of individuality in the lyrics.
I want the listener to feel like they’ve stepped into a specific world that’s visually and sonically distinct, where the production feels vast but the words feel personal.
10. How do you get re-inspired when you hit a creative block?
I’m a firm believer in the idea that to be a great creator, you have to be a great observer. I spend a lot of my time studying other artists, not just in music but in visual arts too, to understand their process and the elements they use.
10. How do you get re-inspired when you hit a creative block?
I’m a firm believer in the idea that to be a great creator, you have to be a great observer. I spend a lot of my time studying other artists, not just in music but in visual arts too, to understand their process and the elements they use.
It’s how I recharge my own inspiration and discover new flows or production techniques. My ultimate goal is to turn that around and be just as much of a spark for my audience as other artists have been for me.
