Girl power anthems are a surefire way to connect to the girls of the world. Danielle Robay certainly has not failed in delivering a dance-worthy girl anthem or two, especially with the song Real Girl.

Robay was born and raised in Chicago and has always dreamt of being a singer and dancer.

“I have been singing my entire life” Robay said. “I was always a dancer but I would sing every second and I have been writing songs since I can remember…it was my way of expressing what I was feeling, even when I was little. I still have a lot of them saved  – they are in crayon.”

Her song writing has come a long way since the crayon days, but the songs were probably just as relevant to her life as her songs are now. Singing about what she knows is refreshing in the pop music scene where listeners are constantly bombarded with songs that are not written by the people singing them.

“Real Girl” was written in collaboration with J. Roman,  singer-songwriter-producer that is about to hit it big in Chicago. He discovered her while she was on a tour of the B96 radio station.

“He told me that when he was my age he was in a boy band and saw my passion for music, the same passion he had. He sings and writes, so after hearing me sing he introduced me to his producer, and we have been writing/recording ever since. He has really taught me so much about music, writing, and the industry. It was fate,” Robay said.

Robay is featured on his new group, Jump Smokers, album out July 27^th. The song is called “For the Love of Electro.” Pitbull is also featured on the album and Robay is very excited to be included on an album with someone so famous.

“It’s surreal,” Robay said. “My parents have always been so supportive, but when someone that isn’t your mom truly believes in you, it’s really validating.”

Roman wrote the first half of “Real Girl” after meeting Robay and they proceeded to write the remainder of it together. It’s her first professionally recorded song.

“Ever since I was little my mom has stressed the importance of confidence. It may sound cliche, but it’s so true: beauty comes from the inside. If you feel smart, hot, sassy, and that you have something to offer the world, it’s going to shine through you…and THAT is what makes you beautiful. I want “Real Girl” to be an anthem of empowerment for all girls.”

Robay tries to capture her confidence and the way that music makes her feel empowered in her songs to give it back to the girlslistening. She likes to think of her songs as a soundtrack to her life.

“I’ve always been a “good girl”…so for me, music is my drug. When I’m recording I feel so empowered, like I can just take on the world at that very moment,” Robay said.

Robay admits to being very passionate about female empowerment and being happy with life. While she mentions that the media is always going to influence the way women feel about their bodies, she admits that she tries her best to focus on other things.

“Instead of spending my time agonizing over my perfect weight, and finding the perfect outfit, I find happiness from things that make my life feel full: my family, laughing for hours with my friends, SINGING, dancing, and eating ice cream,” Robay said.

As far as her music is concerned, Robay has a lot of influences from across the charts including Beyonce. Her sound is similar to Christina Milian’s from the early 2000s, but she says she’s not trying hard to distinguish herself.

“I actually have never tried or thought about trying to distinguish myself from other artists. I listen to my gut, I write what I feel, I’m just me…what you see is what you get!”