She might not have made it to the live rounds on last year¡¯s X Factor, as part of the group Straight Up, but Sydney teen Latifa Tee is making a name for herself in the US.
The pop group initially impressed judges with their audition piece, performing the Jackson 5¡¯s ¡®I Want You Back¡¯. However, they failed to make it further than the home visit stage.
Despite this minor setback, the female pop diva of the group, Latifa was poached and subsequently signed to Redfoo¡¯s manager Ian Fletcher and his company F.A.M.E (Fletcher Artist Management Enterprises).
¡°The whole X Factor experience was so much fun but I¡¯m definitely grateful for the way things have played out¡± Latifa told The Daily Telegraph, earlier this year. ¡°They¡¯ve worked out perfectly.¡±
It would seem that things are working out pretty well for the 16-year-old singer. Currently completing Year 11 at MLC School in Burwood, Latifa released her debut single, ¡®Games¡¯ last week.
The track, with its catchy blend of pop and urban beats, is reminiscent of a young Rihanna. With lines like ¡°Can somebody tell the DJ/Quit playing games with my heart¡± Latifa sounds like a female Justin Bieber.
¡®Games¡¯ has already received regular airplay on the Southern Californian airwaves, with a number of well-known radio stations in Los Angeles giving the young singer¡¯s debut track a spin.
The young singer, who is determined to finish her schooling before she pursues her music career, ventured to LA during her summer break to record her debut album. With only 14 days to record 11 songs, the experience was ¡°unbelievable¡± and undoubtedly arduous.
¡°What I want my music to be is, music that everyone loves listening to, and just music that makes you feel good, or makes you feel a story¡± said Latifa on a recent vlog post.
She added: ¡°I think that¡¯s what every song should do, make you feel like you want to dance. That¡¯s why my music is really important for me, like, I need to feel like I want to dance.¡±
Latifa Tee¡¯s debut single is available now on iTunes.
