Zara Moussa
Zara Moussa | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | ZM |
| Born | 1980 (age 43–44) |
| Origin | Niamey, Niger |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, rapper |
Zara Moussa (born c. 1980) is a Nigerien singer and rapper, performing under the name ZM.
A native of Niamey, Moussa first came to public notice in 2002 when she won a hip-hop contest in her home city[1] which had been organized by the French embassy.[2] Subsequently she became the first female rapper from West Africa to sign a record deal. The resulting album was titled Kirari, from a Hausa word used to call people to battle. Her songs address social and political issues such as women's rights, domestic abuse,[1] and matters of importance to public health; in this regard she is similar to other Nigerien rappers, such as Safiath.[3] Many are performed in the French language, but some are in Zarma and some in Hausa.[4] Her style blends hip-hop and other African influences.[5] Moussa is married, and describes her husband, who has written some of her songs and assists in producing her recordings, as her biggest support in a country where music is often not seen as a worthwhile investment, and whose hip-hop scene is dominated by men. She has appeared at WOMEX as well.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Alison Behnke (15 December 2007). Niger in Pictures. Twenty-First Century Books. pp. 70–. ISBN 978-0-8225-7147-6.
- ^ a b "Verdensmusikbanken - Verdensmusik i undervisningen - Interview med Zara Moussa". www.verdensmusikbanken.dk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ Burgess, Sarah (11 December 2013). "Four Nigerien Women Musicians You Should Know: ZM (Zara Moussa)". Africa is a Country. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ "Zara Moussa | Studio le Rocher". Studiolerocher.fr. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ "Zara Moussa - virtualWOMEX". www.womex.com. Retrieved 5 November 2017.