10 Facts About Souad Massi

Souad Massi is an Algerian Berber singer, songwriter and guitarist.

Souad Massi began her career performing in the Kabyle political rock band Atakor, before leaving the country following a series of death threats.

In 1999, Massi performed at the Femmes d'Algerie concert in Paris, which led to a recording contract with Island Records.

Souad Massi was born in Algiers, Algeria to a poor family of six children.

Souad Massi grew up in the working-class Bab El Oued neighborhood of Algiers and took up singing and playing the guitar at an early age.

Souad Massi recorded and performed with the group for seven years, releasing a successful album and two popular music videos.

Souad Massi disguised herself by cutting her hair and dressing in male clothing, but she nevertheless became the target of a series of anonymous death threats.

In 1999, Souad Massi was invited to perform at the Femmes d'Algerie festival in Paris, which led to a recording contract with Island Records.

Three years later, Souad Massi released her third album, Mesk Elil.

Souad Massi was the Italian variety show's guest star "Non facciamoci prendere dal panico" in 2006 by Italian singer and showman Gianni Morandi.