– Hindi Zahra – Paris Rooftop Concert – September 30, 2015 – Culturebox
French-Moroccan singer-songwriter Hindi Zahra has been active since 2009. Her voice and work have drawn comparisons to Beth Gibbons of Portishead, Norah Jones and Manu Chao. But she is no copy or imitator, Hindi Zahra is a phenomenon unto herself. A dazzling mixture of Berber music, Soul and Indie, Zahra combines these elements and accompanies them with a voice of plaintive somnambulance; at once, captivating – over time, spellbinding.
With an excellent and perfectly synonymous band, she is a breath of warm night air.
Hindi Zahra’s music is a captivating tapestry of sounds, effortlessly blending traditional Moroccan chaâbi and raï with Berber and Egyptian musical influences. Her eclectic style encompasses folk, blues, Afro-American grooves, and psychedelic rock.
The free-spirited Hindi Zahra is to music what Frida Kahlo is to painting; Hindi is considered the next big thing in World Music. She sings in Arabic, English and French with an eclectic sound that mixes elemental folk, desert blues, African-American soul, indie music, tribal and even hip-hop. She is often described as the child of Django Rheinhardt and Billie Holiday. Hindi Zahra’s eccentric image is also quite intriguing and surreal, especially in her music video for ‘Stand up’ where she looks like the chief of an ancient Mayan tribe, with the occasional wild feathers. In other words, Hindi Zahra is universal!
Hindi Zahra actually comes from a family of Berber artists, the most famous of which are The Oudaden Group. Her mother Doukri Mahjouba, along with her uncles, initiated her to the greatest Maghreb singers, the traditional Gnaoua music, Dylan folk, and Bob Marley’s reggae music. Zahra also learned the ancestral rhythms and melodies of the Egyptian repertoire, as well as the folk sounds of Ismaël Lô.
Today, Hindi Zahra is celebrated as one of the most prominent female artists in contemporary Europe. Her music continues to captivate audiences worldwide, resonating with listeners who seek an authentic expression of freedom and individuality.
This concert, an intimate affair, was part of a series of concerts performed on a rooftop in Paris, is an elegantly crafted, and much-too-short 25 minutes.
In the meantime, sink into this rooftop session from Hindi Zahra and let her take you places.
