With America’s growing fascination with mental health, suicide, and female power, the country is in need of a fierce heroine. Enter 21-year-old Dev09: a gifted singer, songwriter, and the voice of Generation Z, which aches for empathy and affirmation. Born in rural Indiana to a violinist and Amy Winehouse-loving mother, Dev sang before she could talk. Her advanced sense of melody can be accredited to cello lessons, which she started at the age of three and continued until she switched to guitar lessons at age fourteen. Whether in the house or on a family road trip, life was a constant sing-along for Dev. Despite her incredible talent, Dev’s unusual artistic perspective and bipolar II disorder made her an outcast in her conservative town. After eighteen years of failing to fit in with the crowd, she took her uniqueness where it would be much more appreciated: Los Angeles. Before heading West, Dev asked ASAP Yams, founder of the ASAP Mob, how many retweets she would need for him to escort her to senior prom. His response, “1K boo,” is now one of her several tattoos. Unfortunately, Yams died shortly after their exchange, but the experience connected the teen vocalist with ASAP Ferg’s producer Stelios Phili. The two collaborated to create Dev’s Pigeons & Planes-heralded breakout “You Made Me”— a groovy middle finger to the haters back home. “What’s she saying? Shouldn’t talk like that/Boy, if I followed your advice then I’d be where you at.” Los Angeles welcomed both gifts and curses for Dev. While she finally found a city that celebrated her individuality, her inability to cope with her mental illness led to a drug addiction.After a successful three month stint in rehab, Dev signed with 300 Entertainment. Now, one year later, she is ready to give the world her debut EP. Scheduled for a fall release, the composition will showcase the cocky burner “Bored,” a song Dev wrote while still in a dark place. Although its chilly lyrics are rooted in the abuse of drugs and people, it packs enough muscle to empower those who are currently residing in that same unhealthy space. During a time when mental illness is rampant yet misunderstood, the 5'7 luminary with a sterling voice and heart-wrenching history provides hope. How many new artists can relate to young sufferers, cover topics that range from hyper-sexuality to self-worth, and have the courage to open songs entitled "Piece of Shit"? Just one.