Najat Aatabou
Najat Aâtabou | |
---|---|
نجاة اعتابو | |
Khémisset, Morocco | |
Nationality | Moroccan |
Occupation(s) | Singer, Songwriter, Composer |
Known for | Hadi Kedba Bayna |
Spouse | Hassan Dikouk |
Najat Aâtabou (
Her song "Hadi Kedba Bayna" was sampled by the Chemical Brothers in their 2004 song "Galvanize".
Early life
"Najat Aâtabou" was born in
However, her family soon found out about her job, and did not accept her vocation for music with a possible singing career for her.[2] Her brothers threatened to kill her if she continued. So she was afraid and decided to run away from home. She fled to the local music shop, which was her first choice because "they played music there", as she later said. That day a coincidence happened. A famous Moroccan music producer, "Mustapha El Mils", walked into the shop, looking for Najat Aâtabou after he had heard the song "J'en ai marre". He asked for her trust and to join him in Casablanca, another Moroccan city. Having no choice, she left for Casablanca, where she would stay for three years, living with the mother of the music producer. After these three years, her family found her and eventually accepted her choice to stay there.[3]
Career
As a singer and songwriter of
Another song of hers, "Choufi Ghirou", is about women who are in a relationship with married men, and in Morocco it is illegal to have such a relationship. It was released in 1984 and means in Arabic "Go Find Another Guy". Her songs have evoked social and political discussion in Morocco and brought improvements on feminist issues. She sings in Moroccan Arabic, Berber and French languages.[4]
She is also one of the subjects of the film "Morocco Swings", which is about two generations of Moroccan singers.[5][6][7]
Personal life
Najat Aâtabou is married to Moroccan music producer "Hassan Dikouk" and has three children. She currently resides in a chalet in the south of France and still records songs.[citation needed]
Albums
- 1991: The Voice of the Atlas (Globe Style)
- 1997: Country Girls & City Women (Rounder/Universal)
- 1998: Najat Aâtabou (La Fa Mi)
- 2001: La Diva marocaine (La Fa Mi)
References
- ^ World Music Expo website http://www.womex.com/virtual/succes_theater_talent/najat_aatbou
- ^ a b "Najat Aatabou - Biography on MSN Music". 20 March 2012. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ "Najat Aatabou: Afropop Artist -- Morocco, North Africa". 3 November 2008. Archived from the original on 3 November 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ "Biographie de Najat Aâtabou". Music Me.
- ^ "Bay Area Events". 20 May 2011. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ "Morocco Swings - Sausalito, CA - on Fri Aug 4, 2006 at Cobalt Sun Gallery | SF Station". 5 March 2016. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ "Tiburon International Film Festival". www.tiburonfilmfestival.com. Retrieved 2 June 2021.