Get to know 2022 Breakthrough Artist of the Year Presented by FACTOR, The Government of Canada and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters nominee, Faouzia in our “7 Questions With” series where we speak with first-time JUNO Award nominees from all genres.
Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Faouzia moved with her family at the age of one to Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Manitoba in Canada, before settling in Carman, Manitoba. At fifteen, she won Song of the Year, the Audience Award, and Grand Prix at the 2015 La Chicane Éléctrique. She began posting her songs and other covers on YouTube which led to a contract with Paradigm Talent Agency.
In 2016, Faouzia won second place in the Canada’s Walk of Fame Emerging Artist Mentorship Program. She was also the recipient of the Grand Prize at the Nashville Unsigned Only music competition in 2017. The same year, she collaborated with fellow Manitoban artist Matt Epp on their single “The Sound”, and won the International Songwriting Competition, the largest songwriting competition in the world. The two are the first Canadians in the competition’s 16-year history to win the top prize, beating 16,000 other entries from 137 different countries. She performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at The Forks, Winnipeg celebrating the 150th anniversary of Canada.
1. How did it feel to be nominated for a JUNO?
It was truly a dream come true. I’ve been following the JUNO awards ever since I was a young girl and to be nominated alongside such great artists is truly unreal.
2. Who are your biggest musical influences?
I think all of Pop music from the early to late 2000s inspired me to be an artist. The mix of beautiful pop melodies with such strong vocalists such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Gaga, Ariana are what inspired me to want to follow my own path in music.
3. What are 3 items you require when you’re on-tour?
I definitely need my in-ears, water, and honey/tea.
4. What do you think is the best song you’ve ever released? What’s the story behind it?
It’s hard to pick which one is the best but I’m really proud of my latest single “RIP, Love” since it combines pop melodies with Arabic influences.
5. Which artist(s) would you like to collaborate with most?
Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, Stromae and the list goes on.
6. What has been your favorite performance of your career?
My two shows that I did back in November 2021 in Los Angeles and New York!
7. What’s next for you?
Expect bodies of work that I’ve been working on for years now and plenty of live shows.
Tickets for The 2022 JUNO Awards are on sale now! Don’t miss out on an unforgettable night of Canadian music hosted by Simu Liu on May 15th.
