“I've been singing since I was five years old — since then I knew that this is what I want to do all my life,” says FREIA, a 22-year-old singer from Bucharest. She describes her sound as “unique pop-electro with tribal sounds,” and first got noticed online with her home-produced, video covers. Since then, FREIA’s begun a collaboration with French DJ Kungs (who made the contemporaneous smooth jazz-dance hit “This Girl”). Born Victoria Ioana, FREIA is featured on “Bangalor Streets” from Kungs' debut album Layers. She’s also been featured on Showtime’s TV show Roadies.

Watch her cover of The Weeknd's "Starboy" and get to know her a little better below.

Hometown: I'm from nowhere and everywhere. I am constantly embracing so many different cultural influences, feeling at ease in big cities as well as inspired by countryside and desert landscapes.

What does FREIA mean?

My real name is Victoria Ioana. Freia is inspired from Freja, the Norse Goddess Of Love, and I chose it because I really love how it sounds. It just describes perfectly my tribal vibe.

How did you start writing music?

I started writing lyrics a few years ago, but it was kinda just for fun and it was tricky for me at first to write down my emotions. The moment I started my first independent music project — Freia — with my producer Quba was actually the moment when I felt free to express my feelings. When you are working on something so personal, you just know that the only way that it will truly reach people's hearts is by writing this story yourself and being sincere, true to who you are. Quba is the one making the music that inspires and represents me — and that's because he knows me so well, and the creative process starts in my head when I hear an idea from him and my mind just writes down the feelings born from those sounds. This changed my life completely, because I constantly see that the music that comes from my heart is loved and appreciated — it's the best feeling in the world!

Do you play any instruments?

I don't. I really wanted to play the piano and the guitar when I was very young, but I had the unfortunate experience to learn from a teacher that wasn't good for me. When you are 6 and the teacher constantly hits your fingers when you make a mistake, you kinda get scared and run; at least that's what I did. It's never too late, though... so who knows?

Who would you love to collaborate with?

Coldplay. That would be a huge dream come true.

Who are your musical inspirations?

Honestly, my inspiration is the tribal music.

What's your relationship with Kungs?

I met Kungs when I and Quba went to London to record the song. Before that, he sent me a demo and we had a couple of days to make the voice lines and the lyrics. I am so happy that we made this collaboration! He is an amazing young producer!

If you were a hashtag, what would it be?

#jungle

What are your new year’s resolutions?

I worked really hard this year to finish my first album and now that it's done, I dream that 2017 will be an amazing year for my career.

For more profiles on up-and-coming artists, visit our Artist of the Day page.