Amira Unplugged
Amira Unplugged | |
|---|---|
| Born | Amira Daugherty Stone Mountain, Georgia, U.S. |
| Alma mater | |
| Years active | 2021–present |
| TikTok information | |
| Page | |
| Followers | 141.1K |
| Last updated: October 13, 2025 | |
Amira Daugherty-Thomas, known by her artist name Amira Unplugged, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer.[1] Known for her genre bending style, Amira combines elements of country-western, soul, hip-hop, rock, and orchestral music.
Early life and education
[edit]Daugherty was born in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where she grew up in a musical household.[2][3] Her parents encouraged her to join band and orchestra in school, where she played the clarinet and violin.[2]
Daugherty earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Georgia State University at age 18.[3] In 2019 she graduated with a B.A. in political science from Agnes Scott College, where she became the first Muslim president of the college's Student Government Association.[3][4] She initially intended to attend law school after graduating from Agnes Scott, but withdrew her application after the COVID-19 pandemic began.[2][3]
Musical career
[edit]Daugherty began to post videos of her singing to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube during the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][3] She used ASL in her videos, to better connect with deaf viewers.[5][6] Due to the online response, she was invited to audition for American Idol, where she performed Stand Up by Cynthia Erivo and a spoken word piece called "Anxiety Eviction". However, despite receiving three yeses from the judges, her audition was not broadcast on the show.[2][7] She was also invited to participate in MTV's Becoming A Popstar, which she ultimately placed second in.[2]
In October 2022 Daugherty took part in Pepsi's Music Lab.[8][9] She released her first official single, "Work Till The Mornin'", the following month. Her second single, "Help Me Help You Out," released on February 3, 2023.
In 2023, Daugherty recorded a cover of "The Sound of Silence" for an AT&T ad presenting a football helmet designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing players.[10][11][12]
She has cited AC/DC, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Michael Jackson as musical inspirations.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Daugherty is Muslim[5] and part of the Deaf community, being completely deaf in her left ear.[2]
References
[edit]- ↑ Dupree, Jessica L. (April 22, 2022). "How 'Becoming a Pop Star' Contestant and Recording Artist Amira Unplugged is Using Her Music to Heal the World". Sheen Magazine. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wells, Veronica (May 20, 2022). "Amira Unplugged Proves You Can Be Yourself And Win". Essence. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Meet Amira Daugherty: Amira Unplugged (Amira Daugherty) | Singer, Rapper, Spoken Word Artist". SHOUTOUT ATLANTA. April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ↑ "Action, Speaks". Agnes Scott College website. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- 1 2 Alexander, Brenda. "Amira Unplugged On How Being A Muslim Creative Helped Shape Her Experience On MTV's 'Becoming A Popstar'". Shadow and Act. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ↑ "Top 3 finalist Amira Unplugged from 'Becoming a Popstar'". Los Angeles Sentinel. May 16, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ↑ Dahir, Ikran (April 20, 2021). "This Muslim "American Idol" Contestant Is Disappointed Her Historic Audition Didn't Air". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ↑ Corrine, Amber (October 20, 2022). "Pepsi Announces Music Lab Bootcamp For Next-Gen Music Artists". VIBE.com. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ↑ Bowenbank, Starr (October 31, 2022). "A Look Inside Pepsi Music Lab's Partnership With UnitedMasters: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- 1 2 Singleton, Isaiah (November 2, 2023). "Amira Unplugged: Atlanta artist, AT&T starts initiative to represent hard-of-hearing athletes". The Atlanta Voice. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ↑ Mahoney, Sarah. "The Long, Quiet Story Behind AT&T's 'Sound Of Silence' Ad". www.mediapost.com. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ↑ "AT&T Creates a 5G Helmet for Deaf Football Players". Adweek. October 19, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
External links
[edit]- 1990s births
- Living people
- 21st-century African-American women rappers
- 21st-century African-American rappers
- 21st-century American women singers
- 21st-century American rappers
- 21st-century Muslims
- African-American Muslims
- Agnes Scott College alumni
- American spoken word artists
- American deaf people
- 21st-century American women rappers
- Deaf musicians
- People from Stone Mountain, Georgia
- Rappers from Georgia (U.S. state)
- Singers from Georgia (U.S. state)
- American musicians with disabilities
- Muslims from Georgia (U.S. state)
- TikTokers from Georgia (U.S. state)