Leyla Diamondi: Finding Her Voice Between Greece, Turkey, and London’s Pop Scene

Living in London with both Greek and Turkish heritage, Leyla Diamondi is quickly establishing herself as one of pop’s most exciting emerging voices. With standout tracks such as Falling in Love and her latest single Ocean Blue, she combines powerful, emotive vocals with infectious pop energy. Her multicultural background gives her music a distinctive identity, with influences from both Greek and Turkish culture subtly shaping her songwriting and artistic perspective. Having collaborated with a range of artists and DJs, Leyla continues to explore new creative directions while dreaming of one day working with artists like The Weeknd—not only because she admires his music, but because she would love to experience his entire creative production process.

Whether performing at festivals, clubs or more unconventional venues, such as Munich’s increasingly popular coffee raves, she brings an energy that feels perfectly suited to long summer days and unforgettable summer nights. 15-year-old contributor Gigi Christias, herself London-raised with Greek roots, sat down with Leyla for a conversation between two young women at different stages of their journeys, exploring creativity, inspiration, Greece, music, and what it means to find your own voice.

Which emotions spark your songwriting the fastest, and why?

There isn’t really one emotion that typically takes precedence over another. I guess whatever I bring into the room with me. I love love, and so I have quite a few songs in that emotional space.

Do you have any rituals or habits that help you get into the creative zone before writing or recording?

I find living life feeds creativity so I try to take moments for myself to walk, socialise, observe and digest art, eat well and generally feed the brain with external and internal stimuli to turn into music.

What is something about your songwriting or creative process that has changed the most over the last few years?

I used to write only for myself, then I wrote for others, now I write with the intention of connecting (how can I share my truth in a way that connects us all and creates a conversation?).

If you could collaborate with an artist from a completely different genre, who would it be and why?

I think it would be so much fun to collaborate with a female rapper like Doja Cat, Cardi B or Megan Thee Stallion. I think I could learn so much. I also think it would be so fun to work with a cinematic music creator like Hans Zimmer, just to be able to exist in that magic for a moment in time.

How has your classical music training influenced the way you write and perform your music today?

It helped me discover an outlet for expression through music, which I very much needed when I was younger. It also taught me that sometimes the things we want come to us through hard work. I did a lot of exams and auditions and faced the highs of success and the lows of rejection from a young age, and it’s important to understand that neither has to shift you from your focus.

Are there any aspects of Greek music, history or mythology that inspire your songwriting or artistic vision?

Yes, very much so. With every experience, I tend to philosophise internally and as my ideas develop and morph, I take great joy in trying to find ways to share those messages in ways that connect. Philosophy is very much a part of my Greek culture that I identify with.

Is there a place in Greece where you feel particularly calm, inspired or creatively recharged?

Wherever a member of my family is.

How did you feel when you saw your first billboard in Los Angeles?

I was very excited! I knew it was going up but to see it stand tall with its vertical posture towering over civilians and cars made me feel like I did the song a little bit of justice. Wait a While deserved to be there with the sun and with the stars!

Which of your own songs means the most to you personally, and what makes it so special?

They all come from a personal place, one isn’t necessarily more special than another. Right now I have a release coming out called Ocean Blue. It’s my second solo release in a while alongside Passenger Princess and I guess I’m excited about the self-expression aspect of that!!

What does a typical day look like for you when you’re not performing or in the studio?

I am in the studio every week at the moment, at least for the last few years. I have a large catalogue. Generally, I just fall back into training and creatively feeding myself for the next opportunity to write, share and connect!

In short: working on my craft, writing songs, feeling feelings.

Would you ever like to release a song in Greek or Turkish? If so, what would that represent for you personally and artistically?

When the moment is right, I would very much like to, yes! I would want to make a song that personally means something to me.

Does your music influence your fashion style, or is fashion another way for you to express yourself?

I am still learning about visual artistic expression, but yes, very much so! It’s such a fun and great tool to add another layer of storytelling to an artist’s personal history and a song’s artistic vision.

What is your dream venue to perform in one day, and what makes that place so special to you?

I have always had a vision of stepping out on the Wembley Arena stage. The outfit, the hair, the shoes, the camera lights—I see it all.

Beyond music, whether it’s your love of animals or a cause close to your heart, what are you most passionate about, and why is it important to you?

Family—blood and non-blood. It’s important to me.