Latifa
Encyclopedia
Latifa Bint Alayah Al Arfaoui (born February 14, 1968 in Manouba
, Tunisia
), better known as Latifa , is an Arab
pop music
singer, Latifa standing for gentle in Arabic
.
In 1983, shortly after her father died, Latifa and her family took a trip to Egypt
to rest and mourn. During that time, she met composer Baleegh Hamdi, who advised her that she ought to move to Egypt
for the sake of her career. However Latifa wanted to concentrate on her education. She returned to Tunisia
to finish her high school final exams. Due to financial issues, she couldn't go back to Egypt
, so she attended college
in Tunisia
, studying Dutch
literature for a year and a half. Her family decided to help her make her dream come true by sending her to Egypt
, so she quit college in Tunisia
and joined the Arab Academy of Music in Egypt, from which she earned her bachelor degree. She is preparing for her master's degree.
Composer
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
happened to hear her on the radio. Two days later he went to the Academy to find out more about her, leaving Latifa speechless as she discovered he wanted to speak with her. At the time Latifa primarily performed long Tarab songs, but she was interested in doing something new. She began to work with composer Ammar Al Sherai'ei and poet Abdulwahab Muhammed, whom she met during her first visit to the capital, Egypt
.
.
"Akthar Min Roohi" ("More than My Soul"), was released in 1986. She began singing Arab pop songs with music by Ammar Al Sherai'ei and lyrics by Abdulwahab Muhammed. The album was hugely successful all over the Arab world
. The songs had very original ideas and distinctive styles, and Latifa began making her songs shorter and adding different influences such as tango music
. She also shot a music video for the single "Ew'ah Tegheer" ("Don't Be Jealous") which was extremely popular. The huge success of this album allowed Latifa Bint Alayah Al Arfaoui to buy half the shares of her producer's company and studio, La Reine. Since then, she has co-produced all her own albums and music video
s.
Hobbak Hadi ("Frigid Love") was released in 1993. In the title song, Latifa asks directly for more love because she is bored of her lover's "frigid" love; she needs love that moves her.
In 1997, Latifa released the album Al Ghinwa ("The Song") considered follow up to "Akthar Min Roohi" from a previous album.
Latifa then decided to perform a new style of songs called Qasa'ed Fos'ha. Her next album, 1998's Taloomoni Al Donya ("The World Blames Me"), featured Latifa singing lyrics written by the poet Nizar Qabbani
.
Latifa came back with a hit album, known in the Arab world
with the title Wadeh ("Clear") and internationally known with the title Inchallah ("God willing") in 1999. The album was distributed by Universal Music France, and it was the first album in which Latifa performed in another language
. The Franco-Arab song "Inchallah" made the Elle Magazine top 5. In the Arab World
, "Inchallah" ("God willing"), Kerehtak ("I Hated You") and Wadeh ("Clear") were popular singles.
The 2002 variety album Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms II featured Latifa performing an Arab Mawwal in the song "Take Me I'm Yours
," and singing a small part in both Arabic and English
with Chris Difford
and Glenn Tilbrook
of the band Squeeze.
Latifa won the World Music Award 2004 for best selling artist in the Middle East
and North Africa
because of the album Ma Etrohsh Ba'ed ("Don't go away") produced in the year 2003 by Alam El Phan(Mazzica TV). Her speech was censored
on ABC
when she said, "My happiness remains incomplete until Palestine
& Iraq
are freed". In 2004, Latifa produced an album distributed by Warner Brothers France
, titled Les Plus Belles Chansons De Latifa ("Latifa's Best Songs"). Although the album was mostly a collection of greatest hits, it also featured a brand-new Raï
song called "Khalleoni" ("Let Me") that was Latifa's first attempt at Raï
. In November, 2006 Latifa re-signed a contract
with Rotana
to distribute her records all over the Arab World
.
. She also starred in the play Hokom Al Roa'yaan ("Reign of the Shepherds") in 2004 written by Mansour Rahbani
. In 2007 she appeared in the seventh episode of the Arabic version of ER known as Lahazat Harega starring as her self.
Translated English titles and Romanization of Arabic by Latifa's official site.
Manouba
Manouba is a city in northeastern Tunisia. It is located at around . It is the capital city of Manouba Governorate.Manouba is well known for its university. It is also an ideal place for family life because of its security, availability of all kinds of services and its high level of education....
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
), better known as Latifa , is an Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer, Latifa standing for gentle in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
.
Early life
Latifa Bint Alayah Al Arfaoui began her career at a very young age as a prodigy at the age of six.In 1983, shortly after her father died, Latifa and her family took a trip to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
to rest and mourn. During that time, she met composer Baleegh Hamdi, who advised her that she ought to move to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
for the sake of her career. However Latifa wanted to concentrate on her education. She returned to Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
to finish her high school final exams. Due to financial issues, she couldn't go back to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, so she attended college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
in Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, studying Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
literature for a year and a half. Her family decided to help her make her dream come true by sending her to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, so she quit college in Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
and joined the Arab Academy of Music in Egypt, from which she earned her bachelor degree. She is preparing for her master's degree.
Composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Mohammed Abdel Wahab , also transliterated Mohammed Abd el-Wahaab was a prominent 20th-century Arab Egyptian singer and composer...
happened to hear her on the radio. Two days later he went to the Academy to find out more about her, leaving Latifa speechless as she discovered he wanted to speak with her. At the time Latifa primarily performed long Tarab songs, but she was interested in doing something new. She began to work with composer Ammar Al Sherai'ei and poet Abdulwahab Muhammed, whom she met during her first visit to the capital, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
.
Albums
Many of Latifa's early albums (1984s) have Arab style. The album Mesa Al Jamal ("Evening Of Beauty") made Latifa Bint Alayah Al Arfaoui famous in EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
.
"Akthar Min Roohi" ("More than My Soul"), was released in 1986. She began singing Arab pop songs with music by Ammar Al Sherai'ei and lyrics by Abdulwahab Muhammed. The album was hugely successful all over the Arab world
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
. The songs had very original ideas and distinctive styles, and Latifa began making her songs shorter and adding different influences such as tango music
Tango music
Tango is a style of ballroom dance music in 2/4 or 4/4 time that originated among European immigrant populations of Argentina and Uruguay . It is traditionally played by a sextet, known as the orquesta típica, which includes two violins, piano, double bass, and two bandoneons...
. She also shot a music video for the single "Ew'ah Tegheer" ("Don't Be Jealous") which was extremely popular. The huge success of this album allowed Latifa Bint Alayah Al Arfaoui to buy half the shares of her producer's company and studio, La Reine. Since then, she has co-produced all her own albums and music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s.
Hobbak Hadi ("Frigid Love") was released in 1993. In the title song, Latifa asks directly for more love because she is bored of her lover's "frigid" love; she needs love that moves her.
In 1997, Latifa released the album Al Ghinwa ("The Song") considered follow up to "Akthar Min Roohi" from a previous album.
Latifa then decided to perform a new style of songs called Qasa'ed Fos'ha. Her next album, 1998's Taloomoni Al Donya ("The World Blames Me"), featured Latifa singing lyrics written by the poet Nizar Qabbani
Nizar Qabbani
Nizar Tawfiq Qabbani was a Syrian diplomat, poet and publisher. His poetic style combines simplicity and elegance in exploring themes of love, eroticism, feminism, religion, and Arab nationalism...
.
Latifa came back with a hit album, known in the Arab world
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
with the title Wadeh ("Clear") and internationally known with the title Inchallah ("God willing") in 1999. The album was distributed by Universal Music France, and it was the first album in which Latifa performed in another language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
. The Franco-Arab song "Inchallah" made the Elle Magazine top 5. In the Arab World
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
, "Inchallah" ("God willing"), Kerehtak ("I Hated You") and Wadeh ("Clear") were popular singles.
The 2002 variety album Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms II featured Latifa performing an Arab Mawwal in the song "Take Me I'm Yours
Take Me I'm Yours
"Take Me I'm Yours" was the first of many hit singles by the New Wave rock band Squeeze. It established the band's trademark vocal style, with Chris Difford singing an octave lower than Glenn Tilbrook. The song has been covered several times, including a unique take by Tim Curry on his 1981 album...
," and singing a small part in both Arabic and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
with Chris Difford
Chris Difford
Chris Difford is a singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer....
and Glenn Tilbrook
Glenn Tilbrook
Glenn Martin Tilbrook is the lead singer and guitarist of the English band Squeeze, a band formed in the mid 1970s who broke through in the new wave era at the decade's end. He generally wrote the melody for Squeeze, while his writing partner, Chris Difford, wrote the lyrics...
of the band Squeeze.
Latifa won the World Music Award 2004 for best selling artist in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
because of the album Ma Etrohsh Ba'ed ("Don't go away") produced in the year 2003 by Alam El Phan(Mazzica TV). Her speech was censored
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
when she said, "My happiness remains incomplete until Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
& Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
are freed". In 2004, Latifa produced an album distributed by Warner Brothers France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, titled Les Plus Belles Chansons De Latifa ("Latifa's Best Songs"). Although the album was mostly a collection of greatest hits, it also featured a brand-new Raï
Raï
Raï is a form of folk music that originated in Oran, Algeria from Bedouin shepherds, mixed with Spanish, French, African and Arabic musical forms, which dates back to the 1930s....
song called "Khalleoni" ("Let Me") that was Latifa's first attempt at Raï
Raï
Raï is a form of folk music that originated in Oran, Algeria from Bedouin shepherds, mixed with Spanish, French, African and Arabic musical forms, which dates back to the 1930s....
. In November, 2006 Latifa re-signed a contract
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
with Rotana
Rotana Records
Rotana Records is the Arab World's largest record label. It is owned by the Rotana Group, established by the Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, who sometimes personally signs artists to the label. Rotana Records is part of a huge media empire that includes a film production company, a magazine in...
to distribute her records all over the Arab World
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
.
Actress
In 2001 Latifa played a lead role in the film Sokoot Ha Ensawwar ("Silence... We're Rolling"), directed by Youssef ChahineYoussef Chahine
Youssef Chahine was an Egyptian film director active in the Egyptian film industry since 1950. He was credited with launching the career of actor Omar Sharif...
. She also starred in the play Hokom Al Roa'yaan ("Reign of the Shepherds") in 2004 written by Mansour Rahbani
Mansour Rahbani
Mansour Rahbani , was a Lebanese composer, musician, poet and producer, known as one of the Rahbani brothers.- Musical Studies :...
. In 2007 she appeared in the seventh episode of the Arabic version of ER known as Lahazat Harega starring as her self.
Discography
During her 20+ year career, Latifa has released more than 20 albums and singles.Translated English titles and Romanization of Arabic by Latifa's official site.
Most recent
- Atahadda (I challenge)
- Fil Kam Yom Illi Fato (In the past few days)
- Ma'alomat Akeeda (Definite information) International release
- Ma'alomat Akeeda (Definite information)
- Ma Etrohsh Ba'ed (Don't go away)
- Wadeh (Clear/Honest)
International releases
- Les Plus Belles Chansons De Latifa
- Inchallah (God willing)
- Ma Wahashtaksh? (Did you miss me?)
- Wa Akheeran (At last)
Soundtracks
- Hokom Al Ro'ayan (Reign of the shepherds)
- Sokoot...Ha Ensawwar (Silence…we're rolling)
Featured in
- Desert Roses 4
- Viva Arabia 4
- Desert Roses 2
- Etre Femme
Videography
During her career, Latifa released more than 70 music videosExternal links
- Latifa's official site (English and Arabic)
- Official YouTube channel of Latifa