Wafia Releases Debut Album 'Promised Land' A Celebration of Hope, Resilience, and Transformation
Today, gold certified, alt pop artist Wafia unveils her long awaited debut album, 'Promised Land', a lush and emotionally resonant body of work that reflects her journey through displacement, identity, and self-discovery. Released via Nettwerk Music Group, the album is executive produced by Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Sabrina Claudio.
Born in the Netherlands to Syrian and Iraqi parents, Wafia’s life has been one of constant movement and reinvention. Her upbringing took her across countries,New Zealand, Holland, and Australia, often under difficult circumstances. From enduring homelessness to facing Islamophobia, these experiences deeply shaped her sense of belonging and identity. Now based in Los Angeles, Wafia channels these struggles and triumphs into 'Promised Land', an album that merges personal storytelling with universally relatable themes of hope, survival, and the human spirit.
“I wanted Promised Land to feel like a sanctuary, a place of peace and comfort,” for me, it’s defined by the belief that what’s meant for you will always find its way to you. It’s a hopeful reflection of everything I’ve learned about resilience, fate, and the beauty of moving forward.”
'Promised Land' unfolds like an emotional journey, each track offering its own unique window into Wafia’s world. Songs like “Crystal Ball” exemplify her ability to embrace the present, even amidst life’s uncertainties.
“That song is about rejecting the need to know the future, I’m in love with this moment, and that’s enough for me.”
The track list weaves together introspective ballads, experimental pop, and upbeat anthems. “Say It to the Moon”, one of the album’s most personal moments, is a heartfelt message to her younger sister, written during late-night phone calls across time zones. In it, Wafia uses the moon as a metaphor for their unbreakable connection.
Elsewhere, the danceable “Big Thoughts” captures a carefree sense of young love, inspired by her own experiences of falling for her partner.
"‘Big Thoughts’ is about that exact moment when I kissed her for the first time, I wanted the song to stay rooted in that feeling of being completely present."
Other highlights include the vibrant “Background”, a celebration of selflessness and love, and “Sad Sh*t”, a defiant track that confronts the doubts of an ex who once told Wafia she wouldn’t succeed.
“That song is my way of reclaiming my power and proving them wrong"
Throughout 'Promised Land', Wafia draws inspiration from nature to tell her stories. Her fascination with dragonflies, migratory creatures whose journey spans multiple generations, is captured beautifully in the song “Dragonfly”.
“Dragonflies rely on the hope that their descendants will reach the destination they couldn’t, It’s such a powerful metaphor for life, faith, and trust in something bigger than ourselves.”
Even as she draws from her own history and the natural world, Wafia’s lyrics remain open-ended, encouraging listeners to find their own meaning in her work.
“I love writing songs that feel like puzzles, with layers that people can unpack in their own way"
Central to the creation of 'Promised Land' is Wafia’s partnership with Sabrina Claudio, whose influence helped shape the album’s lush and dreamy sound. The duo worked closely together over a single transformative month, balancing vulnerability with creative experimentation.
“Sabrina and I bonded so deeply during this process, We laughed, cried, and built something we’re incredibly proud of.”
“Working with Wafia was unlike anything I’ve experienced. Her honesty and passion are unmatched, and it was a privilege to help bring her vision to life.”
The album’s standout track, “Distant”, exemplifies the duo’s meticulous approach. Originally developed over several years, the song underwent numerous revisions before they finally landed on its ethereal final form.
Wafia’s journey to this debut album has been anything but conventional. Starting out performing Coldplay covers in cafés and weddings, she slowly built a following through platforms like Tumblr. Her breakout moment came in 2015, when her cover of Mario’s “Let Me Love You” went viral, earning five million SoundCloud streams and the attention of Pharrell Williams, who played her original song “Heartburn” on his Beats1 radio show.
Since then, Wafia has been heralded as a rising star in the alt-pop world, with NPR naming her 2020 EP 'Good Things' the “perfect pandemic soundtrack”. Now, with nearly two million monthly Spotify listeners, she has reached a new career high with 'Promised Land'.
'Promised Land' is more than an album, it’s a deeply personal offering from Wafia, crafted to inspire listeners to reflect, heal, and grow. Its themes of survival, transformation, and love resonate universally, while her unique voice and cultural perspective make it an especially meaningful contribution to the music world.Wafia hopes her music fosters a sense of belonging for all who listen.
“I think one of the most rewarding things about sharing these songs is hearing how they’ve soundtracked people’s lives, I want everyone who listens to feel accepted, loved, and understood. That’s the kind of space I want to create with my music.”