A sit down interview with Grammy award-winning artist Daya

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The first-ever Grammy Festival took place last Monday at the Changyang Music Theme Park in Beijing.

The much-anticipated concert had a lineup full of international superstars including, Pharrell Williams, OneRepublic and Carly Rae Jepsen. And I was lucky enough to meet and speak to some of the stars before the event.

First up, I sat down with American artist Daya, who at 18-years-old won a Grammy for "Best Dance Recording" for her hit song with The Chainsmokers, "Don't Let Me Down."

Jenny: Tell us about your name "Daya." It's very unique. Where does it come from?

Daya: It's a translation of "Grace," which is my real name in Hindi, and I have ancestry in India, so it's kind of like paying homage to the culture.

Jenny: Is it your first time here in China? And how's it been so far? What's been the best part?

Daya./CGTN Photo

Daya: It's my first time performing here, so I'm really excited. I did a showcase yesterday, and the Chinese fans I can already tell are willing [ready] over here so I can't wait for today [to perform at the Grammy Festival].

Jenny: What's the one thing that those who may not know you in China should know about you?

Daya: That I'm a freak, I'm weird. That I have a very weird sense of humor.

Jenny: Who is your biggest musical inspiration at the moment?

Daya: I think Cardi B. I think she's very real and her story is really inspiring – how she got to where she is now. And she's just so empowering for women everywhere because she's been through a lot, obviously. So she can relate to all types of women. And I think that's something we've needed in pop culture.

CGTN reporter Jenny Cortes Ybanez posing with singer and songwriter 'Daya.' /CGTN Photo‍

Jenny: You like to convey messages to your fans and audience through your music, but if there was only one important message they could get out of you and your music, what would that be?

Daya: Just to love yourself and to listen to yourself. I think that was a really hard thing for me to learn at first. But I grew into that. I was just being pushed around a lot when I first got into the industry, but now I have a very strong inner voice, and I'm able to let that direct me.

Jenny: What music are you working on now?

Daya: I'm working on my next project, and I have a couple of songs that will be released in the next couple of months. So stay tuned! These ones are the most personal of my collection yet, so I'm excited.

Watch the rest of the interview in the video.