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Natacha AtlasOne of the most prominent representatives of world music
Date of Birth: 20.03.1964
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Natasha Atlas
Natasha Atlas is one of the most prominent representatives of world music. She was born in a family of an Englishwoman and a North African immigrant. Growing up in a neighborhood belonging to the Moroccan community, Natasha found herself immersed in Arab culture from an early age. In addition to studying German, English, and French, she also learned Arabic music and dance, mastering the art of belly dancing.
At the age of fourteen, Natasha's parents divorced, and her mother took her to Northampton, United Kingdom. Here, Natasha became interested in underground culture and started singing in local clubs. After a few years, she returned to her native Brussels and continued to improve her vocal skills by performing in Arab and Turkish clubs. She briefly joined the Belgian salsa group Mandanga, but her desire for independence led her to pursue a solo career.
London and Brussels equally attracted Natasha, causing her to move frequently. In the late 80s, while in London, she met the renowned musician Jah Wobble, who invited her to join his project "Invaders Of The Heart." At that time, Natasha had already recorded a hit called "Timbal" with the popular group Loca!, which combined Arab exoticism with European dance culture. The collaboration with Jah Wobble can be seen on the album "Rising Above Bedlam," which was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize. "Timbal" also became a popular club dance hit and was included in the compilation album "Fuse Two" released by the Nation label.
Jah introduced Natasha to the musicians from Transglobal Underground, a group known for its unique blend of Eastern melodies and European club traditions. She became the lead vocalist of the band and recorded two albums with them - "Dream Of 100 Nations" and "International Times." With Transglobal Underground, Natasha toured the world, performing at famous music festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading, Phoenix, and even WOMAD, by invitation from Peter Gabriel. In 1994, Natasha appeared on Jah Wobble's album "Take Me To God." Concurrently, she recorded her debut solo album "Diaspora," which was released in 1995. The album featured collaborations with renowned musicians such as Tunisian Walid Rouissi and Egyptian musician and composer Essam Rashad. "Diaspora" blended dub, dance, Arabic, French, and Spanish influences, incorporating traditional Arab instruments, guitars, violins, and samplers. The debut single "Dub Yalil/Yalla Chant" and the remix of "Duden" by the famous Talvin Singh gained significant popularity.
In 1995, Natasha Atlas was invited by the famous Hollywood composer David Arnold, known for his soundtrack to the film "Stargate" with Kurt Russell, to collaborate. This meeting led to a successful long-term collaboration. In 1998, Natasha recorded a Middle Eastern-inspired rendition of the famous "From Russia With Love" for Arnold's album "Shaken Not Stirred." Arnold, in turn, produced the track "One Brief Moment" for Natasha's third album "Gedida" (1999). This track marked Natasha's first English-language composition, as her previous albums, including "Diaspora" and its follow-up "Halim" (1997), were primarily in other languages. "Halim" brought Natasha popularity in North Africa and the Middle East. The music video for the single "Amulet" won the prestigious Nuit De Clip Award in Tunisia. Additionally, the appearance of the song "Mon Amie La Rose" on her third album "Gedida," a cover of French singer Françoise Hardy's repertoire, earned Natasha the Victoires De La Musique (France's most significant music award) in the category of "Female Singer of the Year."
In 2000, Natasha Atlas took a brief break. During that year, a remix collection titled "Remix Collection" was released, featuring remixes by Talvin Singh, DJ Spooky, and Banco De Gaia, among others. A year later, she released her fourth studio album "Ayeshteni," which included a famous cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell On You" and an adaptation of Jacques Brel's hit "Ne Me Quitte Pas." This album was recorded and mixed in Cairo, where Natasha has been living in recent years.
In May 2003, Natasha quietly released her fifth album. This album showcased an even more diverse range of genres than its predecessor, blending traditional Eastern melodies, European club beats, American rap, French chanson, and more. Natasha had reached a status where she could experiment freely with her music. The album featured an incredible number of guest artists, including vocalists like Sinéad O'Connor and musicians like Jah Wobble. Producers such as Brian Higgins, responsible for the success of Sugababes' "Round Round" and Cher's "Believe," and Mike Nielsen, known for his work with Jamiroquai and Underworld, were also involved in the album's production. One track, "Adam's Lullaby," was a collaboration with English composer Jocelyn Pook and the Prague Symphony Orchestra.
Natasha Atlas is known for her cover versions of songs, and this album included a rendition of James Brown's "This is a Man's World," which took on a new perspective when sung from a female point of view.
Natasha's unique and exotic style of music has garnered praise from respected musicians such as Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant, and Jean-Michel Jarre. She gained recognition for her performance at Jarre's concert near the Egyptian pyramids in Giza, where she was a guest performer.
Natasha Atlas continues to intrigue with her exoticism. As a talented musician and a beautiful woman, she represents a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, proving that music knows no boundaries - neither geographical nor national.
