Souad Massi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Souad Massi
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Souad Massi at TFF Rudolstadt 2013.
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| Background information | |
| Native name |
سعاد ماسي
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| Born | August 23, 1972 Algiers, Algeria |
| Genres | Rock, Country, Fado, Algerian folk music, World music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Island, Naïve Records, |
Souad Massi (Arabic: سعاد ماسي) was born on August 23, 1972. She is an amazing singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Algeria. Souad is also a Berber artist.
She started her music journey in a rock band called Atakor. Later, she moved to Paris, France. In 1999, Souad Massi performed at a special concert in Paris. This led to her signing a record deal with Island Records.
Souad's music often features the acoustic guitar. Her songs mix different styles, like rock, country, and Portuguese fado. She also adds sounds from the Middle East and Africa. Sometimes, she uses instruments like the oud. Souad sings in many languages, including Classical Arabic, French, English, and the Kabyle Berber language. She often uses more than one language in the same song!
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Souad Massi grew up in Algiers, Algeria. She was one of six children in her family. From a young age, she loved to sing and play the guitar.
Her older brother encouraged her to study music. She spent her childhood listening to American country and roots music. These styles greatly influenced her own songwriting later on. When she was 17, she joined a flamenco band. But she soon left because she wanted to try new things.
Joining the Band Atakor
In the early 1990s, Souad joined an Algerian rock band called Atakor. This band was inspired by famous Western rock groups like Led Zeppelin and U2. Souad recorded and performed with Atakor for seven years. They released a successful album and two popular music videos.
However, the band's songs often talked about political topics. As they became more popular, they faced some challenges. Souad even changed her look to stay safe. In 1999, she decided to leave the band and move to Paris, France.
Souad Massi's Solo Career
After moving to Paris, Souad Massi was invited to perform at the "Women of Algeria" festival in 1999. This performance helped her get a recording contract with Island Records.
First Albums and Success
In June 2001, Souad released her first solo album, Raoui. The title means "Storyteller." Many people compared its sound to American folk music from the 1960s. Most of the songs were in French and Arabic. The album became very popular in France. The next year, she was nominated for "Best Newcomer" at the Radio 3 World Music Awards.
In 2003, she released her second album, Deb. This album's songs were more about personal feelings than politics. It became one of the most successful albums from North African artists around the world.
Three years later, Souad released her third album, Mesk Elil. This album continued to explore themes of love and loss. It also featured duets with other musicians.
Later Albums and Awards
In 2010, Souad Massi released her fourth studio album, Ô Houria. This album was produced by famous musicians Francis Cabrel and Francoise Michel. It even featured Paul Weller playing piano and singing on one song.
In 2023, her album Sequana received a special award. It was honored with the German Record Critics' Award.
Personal Life
Souad Massi lives in Paris, France, with her two daughters, Inji and Amira. She enjoys the music of Leonard Cohen. She has also said that music from bands like AC/DC and INXS helped shape her musical style when she was growing up.
Discography
- 2001: Raoui
- 2003: Deb
- 2005: Mesk Elil
- 2007: Live acoustique
- 2010: Ô Houria
- 2015: El Mutakallimun
- 2019: Oumniya
- 2022: Sequana
See also
In Spanish: Souad Massi para niños
