Gabriela N

Gabriela N (Italian pronunciation: [ˈgaˈbrʲɛ.la ˈɛən] (born Gabriela Ann Xuereb, 18 March 1993) is a Gozitan singer-songwriter, rapper, model and activist from the island of Malta. She hails from Xewkija, Gozo Island, Malta. Besides her native Maltese, she is also fluent in English, Italian and Spanish.

Early life and career

Gabriela was born and raised in Xewkija, Gozo to Zachary Xuereb and Josephine Xuereb née Grima. She made her debut in 2000 as a child singer at the age of eight with the song I Have a Dream (song), which is officially sung by the Swedish group ABBA. From a very young age she showed interest in singing and dancing. She started taking part in local festivals in Gozo and also in Malta where she achieved good placings and often won titles like Best Voice and Most Promising Singer.

2010-2012: Debut album and more achievements

In 2010, she entered the Malta EuroSong for the first time and she made it with the Top 50 (Phase 2) with two songs.^[1] That year she also released a single, "Where Are You Now", and entered the Top 10 in a UK-based chart.^[2] Gabriela, released her debut album "Rising Star" in the same year and it contained fifteen tracks. The tracks were in both English and Maltese languages.

In early 2011, Gabriela was the supporting act for the Romanian born British-based duo The Cheeky Girls. Gabriela N was also featured on the Malta to Midem CD with seventeen other Maltese artists. This project promotes artists internationally.^[3]

In order to focus on her studies, Gabriela decided that in 2012 it was better to take a hiatus to focus on her 3rd and last year in college, in fact she didn't release any singles that year. During that time she managed to study well and at the end of 2012 she graduated with a Triple Distinction*** by her college in BTEC Health and Social Care. She works as a full-time social worker with the Education Department of Malta

2013: U.S. breakthrough

In 2013, Gabriela entered a chart in one of the top radio stations in New York City with two songs: La La Love, which is a cover version of Cypriot singer Ivi Adamou, and HeadSpin, which is one of Gabriela's original songs. La La Love spent seven consecutive weeks in the number two spot. It was one of the top songs requested by the radio's listeners.^[2][4]

2014: New single, U.S. debut and new album

Right after the New Year's, Gabriela started working on a new song called "WALK IN STYLE"^[5] and it was released on 20 January 2014. Gabriela was chosen by "The World Academy of Arts, Literature & Arts to represent her country Malta as the "VOICE OF MALTA" in one of the most big musical projects for humanity in the world. This academy is situated in the United Kingdom. According to a recent interview, she said the following "The academy sent us a piano demo version of the song, following which I worked closely with Rene (the composer) to decide which direction and sound our version would have". In an addition to this she also stated the following "We wanted to find the best genre that we felt it would fit my voice while also bringing out the message of the song itself clearly".^[6]

Gabriela is currently working on her album. The release date is still unknown. In an interview with WAALM she said "Me and my team have been working really hard on it! It is full of uptempo and dance music, it sounds really fresh! Please do look forward for it!".^[7] She also revealed that she is currently working with a very renowned American producer who previously worked directly with Michael Jackson, Nicole Scherzinger, Christina Aguilera and others. From July till August 2014, Gabriela spent a month in the U.S for the recording of her upcoming single which is called "LIE TO ME" and was digitally released on 8th October, 2016.

Personal life

Gabriela is the youngest of two children in her family. She has one older brother, Ivan (1987). She is related to Mgr. Alfred Xuereb from her mother's side.

Discography

• Rising Star (2010)^[8]
• LIE TO ME (2016)

References