Latifa

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Latifa لطيفة
Image:Latifa.jpg Latifa in the year 1999
Background information
Birth name	Latifa Bint Alayah Al Arfaoui
Born	February 14, 1961
Origin	Manouba, Tunisia
Genre(s)	Arab pop music, Classic, Arab Tarab,Khaleeji, Arabic music, Arabesque music, Music of Egypt, Middle Eastern music, Disco, Techno, Raï
Occupation(s)	Singer, Actress
Years active	1980s–present
Label(s)	La Reine, Universal Music France, Warner Brothers France, EMI, Alam Al Phan, Rotana
Website	Latifaonline.net

Also see the American singer Queen Latifah

Latifa Bint Alayah Al Arfaoui (Arabic: لطيفه بنت عليه العرفاوي‎) (born February 14, 1961 in Manouba, Tunisia), better known as Latifa (لطيفة), is an Arab pop music singer.

The word Latifa is Arabic for "Soft", "Delicate", "Gentile" or "Sensitive".

Contents 1 Career highlights 2 Latifa performing Arab classic music (Arab Tarab) 3 The first transitional period of Latifa's style 4 The second transitional period of Latifa's style 5 Latifa's hits around the Arab world 5.1 1980s Hits 5.2 1990 - 1994 Hits 5.3 1995 - 1999 Hits 5.4 2000 - 2005 Hits 6 Discography 7 Videography 8 Unofficial releases 9 Latifa the actress 10 Facts about Latifa 11 Sources 12 External link

[edit] Career highlights

Latifa began her career at a very young age by becoming a prodigy at the age of six.

In 1983, shortly after her father died, Latifa and her family took a trip to Egypt to rest and mourn. During that time, Latifa met composer Baleegh Hamdi, who advised her that she ought to move to Egypt for the sake of her career. But Latifa wanted to concentrate on her education. She returned to Tunisia to finish her high school final exams. Due to financial issues, she couldn't go back to Egypt, so she attended college in Tunisia, studying Dutch literature for a year and a half. Her family decided to help her make her dream come true by sending her to Egypt, so Latifa quit college in Tunisia and joined the Arab Academy of Music in Egypt, from which she earned her bachelor degree. Even with her current busy schedule, Latifa is preparing for her master's degree.

Once when Latifa was singing live on a radio station, composer Mohammed Abdulwahab happened to hear her. Two days later he went to the Academy to find the girl he had heard on the radio. Latifa was speechless when she discovered he wanted to talk to her. At the time Latifa primarily performed long Tarab songs, but she was interested in doing something new. She began to work with composer Ammar Al Sherai'ei and poet Abdulwahab Mohammed, whom she met during her first visit to Egypt.

[edit] Latifa performing Arab classic music (Arab Tarab)

Many of Mursel's early albums (1980s) have afghan style. The album Mesa Al Jamal ("Evening Of Beauty") made Mursel famous in Egypt.

[edit] The first transitional period of Latifa's style

Akthar Min Roohi ("More than My Soul"), released in 1986. She began singing Arab pop songs with music by Ammar Al Sherai'ei and lyrics by Abdulwahab Mohammed. The album was hugely successful all over the Arab world. The songs had very original ideas and distinctive styles, and Latifa began making her songs shorter and adding different influences such as tango music. She also shot a music video for the single "Ew'ah Tegheer" ("Don't Be Jealous") which was extremely popular. The huge success of this album allowed Latifa to buy half the shares of her producer's company and studio, La Reine. Since then, she has co-produced all her own albums and music videos.

Hobbak Hadi ("Frigid Love") was released in 1993. In the title song, Latifa asks directly for more love because she is bored of her lover's "frigid" love; she needs love that shakes her heart. Before the release of this album, no Middle Eastern woman had ever used such direct words about her love for a man in popular song.

In 1997, Latifa released the album Al Ghinwa ("The Song"). The actual song "Al Ghinwa" was considered to be the second part of the song Akthar Min Roohi from a previous album released in 1986.

Latifa then decided to perform a new style of songs called Qasa'ed Fos'ha. Her next album, 1998's Taloomoni Al Donya ("Everyone in the World Blaming Me"), featured Latifa singing lyrics written by the poet Nizar Qabbani.

[edit] The second transitional period of Latifa's style

After spending 10 days in the hospital due to a nervous breakdown, Latifa came back with a hit album called Wadeh - Inchallah ("Clear - God willing") in 1999. The album was distributed by Universal Music France, and it was the first album in which Latifa performed in another language. The Franco-Arab song "Inchallah" made the ELLE Magazine top 5. In the Arab world, "Inchallah" ("God willing"), "Kerehtak" ("I Hated You") and "Wadeh" ("Clear") were popular singles. Before the release of this album, no Arabic pop singer had ever sung anything like "I hated you."

The 2002 variety album Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms II featured Latifa performing an Arab Mawwal in the song "Take Me I'm Yours," and singing a small part in both Arabic and English with Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook of the band Squeeze.

Because of the album "Ma Etrohsh Ba'ed" (Don't go away) - produced in the year 2003 - Latifa won the World Music Award 2004 for best selling artist in the Middle East and North Africa. Her speech was edited on television when she said, "My happiness remains incomplete until Palestine & Iraq are freed". Watch the uncensored video file at Latifa's official site

In 2004, Latifa produced an album distributed by Warner Brothers France, titled Les Plus Belles Chansons De Latifa ("Latifa's Best Songs"). Although the album was mostly a collection of greatest hits, it also featured a brand-new Raï song called "Khallooni" ("Let Me") that was Latifa's first attempt at raï.

On 18th of November 2006, Latifa re-signed a contract with Rotana to distribute her records all over the Arab world.

[edit] Latifa's hits around the Arab world

During her career, Latifa had many hits all over the Arab world; these are the high lights:

[edit] 1980s Hits

• Mesa Al Jamal (Arabic script: مسا الجمال)
• Akthar Min Roohi (Arabic script: أكثر من روحي)
• Ashan Bahibbak (Arabic script: عشان بحبك)
• Ew'ah Tegheer (Arabic script: اوعى تغير)

[edit] 1990 - 1994 Hits

• Al Donya Betedh'hak Leya (Arabic script: الدنيا بتضحك ليا)
• Eddieeni Forsah Thanya (Arabic script: اديني فرصة ثانيه)
• Asalhak Wo Malo (Arabic script: اصالحك و ماله)
• Mosh Bel Basatah(Arabic script: مش بالبساطة)
• Hobbak Hadi (Arabic script: حبك هادي)
• Bahib Fe Gharamak (Arabic script: بحب في غرامك)
• Beyihsibooni (Arabic script: بيحسبوني)
• Ana Ma Atniseesh (Arabic script: انا ما اتنسيش)
• Lamma Yejebo Sertak (Arabic script: لما يجيبوا سيرتك)
• Ana Ad Ma Ahibbak (Arabic script: انا قد ما احبك)

[edit] 1995 - 1999 Hits

• Wo Ahkeran (Arabic script: و اخيراً)
• Ana Albi Aleel (Arabic script: انا قلبي عليل)
• In Kan Al Bo'ad (Arabic script: إن كان ع البعد)
• Ya Seedi Massi (Arabic script: يا سيدي مسي)
• Istihala (Arabic script: استحاله)
• Ma Wahashtaksh?! (Arabic script: ما وحشتكش؟!)
• Ya Hayati (Arabic script: يا حياتي)
• Hassib (Arabic script: حاسب)
• Al Ghinwa (Arabic script: الغنوه)
• Ita'ziz (Arabic script: اتعزز)
• Ghadart Bi (Arabic script: غدرت بي)
• Taloomoni Al Donya (Arabic script: تلومني الدنيا)
• Ya Ghaddar (Arabic script: يا غدار)
• Inshalla - Inchallah (Arabic script: انشالله)
• Kerihtak (Arabic script: كرهتك)
• Wadeh (Arabic script: واضح)
• Yalla Inghanny - Chanton L'amour (Arabic script: يلا نغني)

[edit] 2000 - 2005 Hits

• Ma Etrohsh Ba'ed (Arabic script: ما تروحش بعيد)
• Halat Hob (Arabic script: حالة حب)
• Al Masri (Arabic script: المصري)
• Khallooni (Arabic script: خلوني)

- Note. Some songs where produced on the years mentioned on the top but they became hits one year later after shooting the music video, as a result some of 1999 hits could be in the 2000 hits but they were added there according to the year of production.

[edit] Discography

• Mesa Al Jamal (Arabic script: مسا الجمال) "Good evening"
• Waih Waih (Arabic script: ويه ويه) "Ahhh"
• Meen Yeqool? (Arabic script: مين يقول؟) "Who says?"
• Ya Hayati Ana (Arabic script: يا حياتي انا) "My life"
• Ala La towadi'oni Habeebi (Arabic script: ألا لا تودعني حبيبي)
• Ma Laqetsh Methalak - Ma Banamsh Al Lail (Arabic script: ما لقتش مثالك - ما بنامش الليل)
• Andak Shak (Arabic script: عندك شك) "What are you doubting in"
• Lotfi & Latifa (Arabic script: لطفي و لطيفة)
• Hat Qalbi Wo Rooh (Arabic script: هات قلبي و روح) "Return my heart then leave"
• Akthar Min Roohi (Arabic script: اكثر من روحي) "More than my soul"
• Ashan Bahibbak (Arabic script: عشان بحبك) "Because i love you"
• Bel Aql Keda (Arabic script: بالعقل كده) "Come in sense"
• Al Donya Bete'dhak Leya (Arabic script: الدنيا بتضحك ليا) 1992 "The world smiles to me"
• Hobbak Hadi (Arabic script: حبك هادي) 1993 "Frigid love"
• Ana Ma Atniseesh (Arabic script: انا ما اتنسيش) 1994 "I am unforgettable"
• Wo Akheran (Arabic script: و اخيراً) 1995"At last"
• Ma Wahashtaksh? (Arabic script: ما وحشتكش؟!) 1996 "Did you miss me?"
• Al Ghinwa (Arabic script: الغنوه) 1997 "The song"
• Taloomoni Al Donya (Arabic script: تلومني الدنيا) 1998 "The world blame me"
• Wadeh - Inchallah (Arabic script: واضح - انشالله) 1999 "Clear - God willing"
• Sokoot...Ha Ensawwar (Arabic script: سكوت... ح نصور) "Movie sound track"
• Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms II Track "Take me i'm yours" 2002
• Ma Etrohsh Ba'ed (Arabic script: ما تروحش بعيد) 2003 "Don't go away"
• Les Plus Belles Chansons De Latifa 2004
• Hokom Al Ro'ayaan (Arabic script: حكم الرعيان) 2004 "Play sound track"
• Viva Arabia 4 (Arabic script: فيفا عربيا 4) 2005 Tracks "Khallooni" and "Medardarah"
• Ma'alomat Akeedah December 28, 2006 (Arabic script: معلومات أكيدة)

Note. This is not the full discography list of Latifa's albums, some albums wasn't mentioned for information lack.

[edit] Videography

• Ashan Bahibbak (Arabic script: عشان بحبك)
• Bahibbak Badalak (Arabic script: بحبك بدالك)
• Asalhak Wo Malo (Arabic script: اصالحك و ماله)
• Ew'ah Tegheer (Arabic script: إوعى تغير)
• Al Donya Betedh'hak Leya (Arabic script: الدنيا بتضحك ليا)
• Eddeeni Forsah Thanyah (Arabic script: اديني فرصة ثانية)
• Et'hadda (Arabic script: إتحدى)
• Damascus (Arabic script: دمشق)
• Bahhib Fe Gharamak 1993 (Arabic script: بحب في غرامك)
• Hobbak Hadi 1993 (Arabic script: حبك هادي)
• Beyihsibooni 1993 (Arabic script: بيحسبوني)
• Zai Al Bahr 1993 (Arabic script: زي البحر)
• Hayyarni 1993 (Arabic script: حيرني)
• Omri Ma Asadda'q 1993 (Arabic script: عمري ما اصدق)
• Ana Ma Atniseesh 1994 (Arabic script: انا ما اتنسيش)
• Lamma Yejebo Sertak 1994 (Arabic script: لما يجيبوا سيرتك)
• Al Khoof 1994 (Arabic script: الخوف)
• Ana Qad Ma Ahibbak 1994 (Arabic script: انا قد ما احبك)
• Thani Wo Thalith Wo Rabi'e 1994 (Arabic script: ثاني و ثالث و رابع)
• Katabtilak 1994 (Arabic script: كتبتلك)
• Mosh Ha Etlaqi 1994 (Arabic script: مش ح تلاقي)
• Mit'hakkim Wo Enta Ba'ed 1994 (Arabic script: متحكم و انت بعيد)
• Wo Ahkeeran 1995 (Arabic script: و اخيراً) | There are two versions of this clip
• Ana Qalbi Aleel 1995 (Arabic script: انا قلبي عليل)
• Al Haq Haq 1995 (Arabic script: الحق حق)
• Al Mawdo'a Mintihi 1995 (Arabic script: الموضوع منتهي)
• Fe Gheyabak Anni 1995 (Arabic script: في غيابك عني)
• In Kan Al Bo'ad 1995 (Arabic script: ان كان ع البعد)
• Ma Wahashtaksh? 1996 (Arabic script: ما وحشتكش؟!)
• Balash Terja'a 1996 (Arabic script: بلاش ترجع)
• Istihala 1996 (Arabic script: استحاله)
• Hassib 1996 (Arabic script: حاسب)
• Ya Seedi Massi 1996 (Arabic script: يا سيدي مسي)
• Ya Hayati 1996 (Arabic script: يا حياتي)
• Fe Yoom Wahid 1996 (Arabic script: في يوم واحد)
• Al Ghenwa 1997 (Arabic script: الغنوه)
• Hamasooli 1997 (Arabic script: همسوالي)
• Et'aziz 1997 (Arabic script: اتعزز)
• Ghadart Bi 1997 (Arabic script: غدرت بي)
• Nar 1997 (Arabic script: نار)
• Taloomoni Al Donya 1998 (Arabic script: تلومني الدنيا)
• Beyinso 1998 (Arabic script: بينسوا)
• Ya Ghaddar 1998 (Arabic script: يا غدار)
• Baini Wo Bainkom 1998 (Arabic script: بيني و بينكم)
• Al Ensan 1998 (Arabic script: الانسان)
• Inshalla - Inchallah 1999 (Arabic script: انشالله) | The remixed version looks different
• Kerihtak 1999 (Arabic script: كرهتك)
• Rihlat Al Zaman 1999 (Arabic script: رحلة الزمان)
• Yalla Inghanni - Chanton L'amour 1999 (Arabic script: يلا نغني)
• Wadeh 1999 (Arabic script: واضح)
• Ajjalt Ihmoomi 1999 (Arabic script: أجلت همومي) | This clip was banned by Latifa
• Ela Toghat Al Alaam 2002 (Arabic script: إلى طغاة العالم)
• Medardarah 2003 (Arabic script: مدردره)
• Ma Etrohsh Ba'ed 2003 (Arabic script: ما تروحش بعيد)
• Khallooni 2005 (Arabic script: خلوني)
• Ashoofak 2006 (Arabic script: اشوفك)
• Al Defa 2006 (Arabic script: الدفا)
• Mashyat Marid 2006 (Arabic script: مشية مارد) | Montaged of Latifa while she was recording the song in the studio, dedicated to Lebanon, Palestine & Iraq.
• Be Nos Al Jaw 2006 (Arabic script: بنص الجو)
• Shofto Be Aini 2007 (Arabic script: شفته بعيني)

[edit] Unofficial releases

• Quand On n'a Que l'Amour 2001 (Jacques Brel's song)
• French version of the song "Wadeh" 2000
• "Eradart Al Hayah" 2000s
• "Ela Toghat Al Alaam" 2002 (To the tyrants of the world)
• "Al Himma Al Himma"
• "Ya Ordon Al Ajwad"
• Ten religious songs 2003
• "Ashoofik" 2006
• "Al Defa" 2006
• "Mashyat Marid" 2006 (Patriotic song dedicated to Lebanon , Iraq & Palestine)

[edit] Latifa the actress

In 2001 Latifa played a lead role in the film Sokoot Ha Ensawwar ("Silence... We're Rolling"), directed by Youssef Chahine. She also starred in the play Hokom Al Roa'yaan ("Reign of the Shepherds") in 2004 written by Mansour Rahbani.

[edit] Facts about Latifa

• During her twenty-plus-year career, Latifa has released over 30 music videos and over 20 albums. Over 20 million albums were sold.
• Latifa has dedicated many of her songs to Arab countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Iraq, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine.

[edit] Sources

• Latifa (her self)
• Latifa's Biography
• Latifa's videography
• Latifa's discography
• World Music Awards 2004 video (uncensored version)
• MSN Arabia
• Arabnights website

[edit] External link

• Latifa's official site (English and Arabic)