Souad Massi

Souad Massi (via last.fm)

Souad Massi ( b. August 23, 1972 ) is a singer and song writer from Algeria. She is a leading light among the young Algerian artists. She sings the Arabic language with a sweet and pure voice. Her songs are of folk rock rhythms (besides she is often compared to Joan Baez or Tracy Chapman). Her activism, popularity and courage brought her into the limelight.Souad Massi, is basically free and generous. She has a golden voice and a sparkling talent. She creates a delicate and harmonious Algerian folk rock with activist and sensitive lyrics. Souad comes from a family of performers. Her elder brother is a composer, her younger brother does new jack music and her little sister is a dancer…As for her, she always knew she would become a singer.She studied Arabo-Andalousian classical music, music theory and universal classical music. When she was 17, she performed on many stages with her only guitar. But at the same time, she was in a flamenco band "Les Trianas d’Alger". It was a real flop. After this defeat she went to pieces and decided to give up. Fortunately, her younger brother pushed her into going on. With her band "Atakor" Souad Massi travelled through Algeria. Their rock music (close to hard rock music) echoed in the whole country. But things became more and more difficult for Souad. Further to many political pressure, the cabinet of town and country planning she worked in (Souad has an engineer degree) decided to dismiss her. Then she has been through a difficult period, financially as well as psychologically. And while the young singer was just about to give up, she was offered to join in the “Femmes d’Algérie / Women from Algeria” Festival. This show which was initiated by Allalou (a former radio and television reporter) and the “Bled-Connection” association, set up in Paris at the Cabaret Sauvage. rest on http://www.africansuccess.org/visuFiche.php?id=537〈=en