Bosnian-born pop artist and TV presenter, Rialda, is no stranger to the spotlight, but 2024 marks an especially exciting chapter in her career. Having spent the early part of the year diving into new creative ventures, Rialda has recently dropped her latest singles, “Found My Way” and its Balkan version, “Sada Najbolja.” In this interview, she opens up about her journey into electronic music, her evolving sound, and the unique blend of genres she enjoys experimenting with. From growing up listening to electronic legends like Axwell and David Guetta to balancing her dual careers in music and television, Rialda reflects on how her experiences have shaped her artistic vision and what’s next for her.
Hi Rialda, how has your 2024 been so far? What have you been working on?
Hi, well 2024 so far has been so different, challenging, but at the same time amazing also. By the beginning of this year I have done a lot of work in the studio including doing something totally different for me and that is the single “FOUND THE WAY” and “SADA NAJBOLJA” . My team and I have more music coming but we decided to start this journey with this single.
How and where and when did you first discover electronic music and why did you decide to pursue this as a career?
I’ve been a huge fan of electronic music my whole life and I grew up listening to artists like Axwell, Sebastian Lager, David Guetta. I just loved the mix of electronic music and vocals.
As my career started I adjusted my music genre to the Balkanian audience and I never have challenged myself to go further till now.
What is the music scene like in Bosnia? Is there good access to clubs, record stores, etc?
I was born in Bosnia and started to make my first moves in the industry there, but in 2017 I’ve decided to move to Serbia, Belgrade because the market was bigger and there were more opportunities for me. That is how I got to expand my music and myself to all balkan countries. The music scene here is so wide and amazing. So many different styles, artists, great productions and clubs also. We have such a big community worldwide and definitely a lot of great music to offer.
What sounds are popular in Bosnia, is there a national sound and style that is unique that you apply to your own music?
Our national sound is more Etno and as the music scene has grown you can hear a lot of different music styles like trap, hip hop, latino sound and electronic also. I personally love to mix different sounds and add Etno sound to it. I like to experiment when it comes to creating music.
How does being a pop musician compare to being a TV presenter? Do they have any similarities you’ve experienced?
I think that nowadays the artists are also tv personalities, performers, actors all in one. The industry is putting you in that “Show business“ box where you have to juggle between a lot of different things in a public space. Personally I am ok with that because it gives me opportunities to try myself in different areas but at the same time I’m doing what I love.
What influenced you to become a pop artist as well as a TV presenter?
My Father was a musician and as I can remember I wanted to be a singer and performer. Through music I got to experience how media works, what is on stage, on TV, behind the scene and as my music career progressed I wanted to try myself in different areas.
What inspired your new single Found The Way (Sada najbolja)?
Actually the whole project was so spontaneous and my husband was actually the main character in pushing me in this direction. Christopher Groove, Flow and I were working on my new songs and one day in that creative atmosphere they were like “let’s try something different “. Chris and Flow had “Found my way “ already prepared and I just wrote lyrics for the “Sada najbolja” version .
Like I said it’s different from everything I have ever done in my career and I need the challenge and the change. Also the sound and lyrics were so inspiring and I could just listen to the demo in my car for days. That was definitely a sign.
Who is your dream musician to collaborate with and why?
Tough question. Regarding electronic music Mahmut Orhan is so amazing, love his work and his vibe and in the pop genre it would be a dream to do a live session with Teddy Swims. His voice, songs and that energy he owns is just wow.
Is there anything else exciting for you coming up this year that you would like to share?
Well this single is definitely the start of a new and exciting era for me. I have more music and different mixes prepared to present by the end of this year and I can’t wait to share all of it. I don’t wanna tell too much too soon but stay tuned.
Rialda – “Found The Way” (Sada najbolja) is out now on EB Music.
Grab it here
Connect with Rialda:
https://www.tiktok.com/@queenrialda
https://www.instagram.com/queenrialda
https://www.youtube.com/@queenrialda/