A strident songstress whose intensity is cloaked in mellifluous vocals, Emel Mathlouthi is also known for her role as a leading artist in the Arab Spring. Born in Tunis, she was shunned from her country's official airwaves but rose to prominence through social media. She released her first album, Kelmti Horra (My Word is Free) in 2012, garnering lavish praise from critics and fans for her powerful vocals laid over a unique mix of North African rhythms and modern electronic beats. Her 2015 was prolific, which included completing work on her second album with producer Valgeir Sigurðsson and culminating with her solo performance at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony. Called one of the top fifteen acts of 2015 by PopMatters, Emel Mathlouthi is a unique artist with a powerful message and a voice beyond comparison. Partisan Records will release her new album in early 2017.
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