16 Facts About Emel Mathlouthi

Emel Mathlouthi rose to fame with her protest song "Kelmti Horra", which became an anthem for the Tunisian revolution and the Arab Spring.

Emel Mathlouthi started singing and acting at 8 years old in a suburb of her hometown Tunis.

Emel Mathlouthi wrote her first song when she was 10 years old.

Emel Mathlouthi discovered her strong vocal capacities when she was 15, encouraged by her entourage and inspired by great pop singers of the 90's.

Emel Mathlouthi found a strong refuge in heavy metal a bit later and gothic music and formed her first metal band at a university in Tunis when she was 19.

Emel Mathlouthi decided to move to Paris, France in 2008 when the Tunisian government banned her songs from radio and TV.

Emel Mathlouthi released her debut, Kelmti Horra, in January 2012.

Emel Mathlouthi gave concerts in Egypt and Iraq, and performed in Canada at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and the Festival du Monde Arabe de Montreal.

Emel Mathlouthi opened for Dead Can Dance at the festival Les nuits de Fourviere in Lyon and performed at the WOMAD Festival at Charlton Parkin the UK.

AllMusic reviewed her performance saying, "opener "Your Sentries Will Be Met with Force" features the enchanting vocals of Tunisian singer Emel Mathlouthi, who adds a sublime new dimension to Moore's glowing, pulsating electronics".

Emel Mathlouthi hadn't played on an acoustic guitar in a long time.

Emel Mathlouthi wrote Arabic lyrics for a Persian song that Neshat had selected.

Emel Mathlouthi will be on tour worldwide throughout the year.

Emel Mathlouthi's singular style is a mix of North African sounds and modern electronic production.

Emel Mathlouthi was featured in the 2014 documentary No Land's Song by Ayat Najafi, in which she becomes the first female to sing as a soloist in Iran since 1979.

Emel Mathlouthi's music has been used in the soundtracks of several movies.