Delara: Where Melody and Heritage Intertwine

The Norwegian pop star sat down with us to discuss how she weaves her multicultural roots into her music, her unique sonic style, and her thoughts on the recent rework of her single ‘Kalash.‘

Music is one of the few forces that transcends boundaries effortlessly, but it ultimately comes down to the artist’s choice to embrace and showcase their art to the world and how they reveal the beauty that can emerge when two cultures come together to create something extraordinary.

Proudly embracing her Iranian roots while blending them with contemporary music and a touch of Norwegian heritage, Delara has built an impressive catalog that has taken her to incredible heights. Her artistry is rooted in navigating a rich and complex identity, and she has become known for using her music as a form of powerful storytelling that bridges cultures.

Delara’s career truly began to take flight in 2017 when she released her debut track, ‘Paper Paper,’ which quickly climbed into Spotify’s Top 40 global list and marked her as a rising star. That same year, she released her debut EP, ‘Rebel,’ earning a nomination for Best Newcomer at Norway’s P3-Gull awards.

Continuing to evolve, she returned in 2018 with the EP ‘Timepiece,’ showcasing her versatility as a pop and R&B artist. Her single ‘Checka,’ a collaboration with Loredana, made waves across Europe and expanded her reach to a global audience. Most recently, Delara’s talent caught international attention again with her involvement in Netflix’s Bridgerton Season 3, where she joined Alicia Keys and others as part of the Queen’s Global Orchestra project, further proof of her expanding global footprint.

Adding to this momentum, Delara’s 2023 track ‘Kalash,’ a collaboration with BEAM, was recently reimagined with a complete South Asian twist. The rework comes courtesy of Pakistani desi-pop producer Talal Qureshi and Indian singer-songwriter Charan, blending their unique styles into the track and giving it a whole new cultural dimension. With this exciting fusion in mind, we sat down with Delara to talk about embracing her heritage, uniting different worlds through music, and her thoughts on the South Asian rework of ‘Kalash.’

TFword: Your journey began with a powerful debut in 2017 with ‘Paper Paper,’ and you’ve been breaking boundaries ever since. How did growing up between Iranian and Norwegian cultures shape your early experiences with music?
Delara: It gave me a dual lens from the start. I grew up listening to Persian classics at home, while also being surrounded by Western pop and R&B in Norway. That contrast shaped the way I hear melodies and stories—there was always a tension between tradition and freedom. Music became my way of making sense of both worlds and finding my own language in between.

TF: Your music is described through the lens of your multicultural background. How central is that identity to your artistry?
Delara: It’s not something I ever try to force — it’s just who I am. My identity naturally finds its way into the music because it shapes how I see the world, how I write, and what I want to say. I think it’s powerful when people can hear different parts of the world coming through in a song, not as a gimmick but as a genuine expression.

TF: Your music has spanned various sounds, from your early hits to pop/R&B on ‘Timepiece.’ How would you describe your signature musical style today? 
Delara: It’s emotional and honest at the core. Sonically, I move between genres — R&B, pop, hip-hop, and alternative sounds — but it’s always rooted in storytelling. I want the music to feel real, whether I’m singing about something personal or something bigger than me. I’m not chasing a genre, I’m chasing a feeling.

TF: Can you talk about how this blend of influences came about in your music? Is it a conscious effort to fuse different elements or more of an organic reflection of your own experiences and tastes?
Delara: It’s mostly organic. I’m exposed to so many different sounds — from Iranian instruments to Scandinavian melancholy to Caribbean rhythms — and those things just live inside me. Sometimes I notice the fusion after the song is done, but in the moment it’s just about following what feels right. The mixing of genres and cultures isn’t a formula — it’s a reflection of real life.

TF: Talal Qureshi and Charan recently remade your track ‘Kalash.’ Talk us through your thoughts on the reinterpretation. Did their version bring out something new that surprised you?
Delara: Definitely. Talal is such a visionary — he reimagined the song with a bold, electronic edge while still keeping its soul intact. And Charan brought in a whole new layer with his vocals. It gave the track a different kind of fire, something I hadn’t heard in the original. It’s rare to hear a remix that feels like its own world, and that’s what they created.

TF: How does it feel to hear your work reimagined through such a different cultural and sonic lens, blending it with South Asian electronic sounds?
Delara: It’s exciting — and honestly, it feels natural. After doing Piya Piya with Coke Studio last year, I was already opening myself up to more South Asian collaborations. ‘Kalash Reimagined’ felt like a continuation of that. I love hearing how different cultures interpret the same song, and this remix is proof that when you bring real artists together, magic happens beyond the borders.

TF: You’ve achieved incredible milestones – from chart-topping singles to being featured in the Bridgerton ‘Queens Global Orchestra’ alongside legends like Alicia Keys. Looking back, which moment has felt most surreal for you so far?
Delara: Winning Album of the Year with Shahrazad at the Norwegian Grammys was a moment I’ll never forget. It was such a huge validation for all the hard work and the personal stories I poured into that album. But performing Piya Piya for Coke Studio was also surreal – it was a dream come true to be part of such an iconic platform and to see the track reach so many people across different cultures. It felt like a full circle moment in my career.

TF: As someone who bridges multiple cultures and genres so fearlessly, what message do you hope listeners take away from your work today?
Delara: That you don’t have to choose one identity, one sound, or one box. There’s so much strength in embracing the full spectrum of who you are. I hope people feel seen and empowered through my music — especially those who grew up between cultures like I did.

TF: You’ve achieved success in both Scandinavian and international markets. Do you feel the industry is becoming more open to multicultural artists, or are there still barriers?
Delara: It’s definitely more open than it used to be, but there are still barriers. Sometimes people expect you to fit a certain image or sound because of where you’re from. But artists are breaking those moulds every day, and audiences are more curious and open than ever. I think the key is to keep pushing forward, even when the doors open slowly.

TF: What’s next for Delara? What sonic territories are you excited to explore?
Delara: There’s a lot on the horizon. I’m about to announce my biggest headliner show to date, and I’ve been working on new music and visual projects that go even deeper creatively. I’m also doing more unexpected collabs — just like Kalash Reimagined — with artists across different countries. I’m in a space where I want to explore without overthinking and just follow where the music takes me.

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