Mounia Sahara - Reggae music where Africa meets America |
| Basil Walters, Observer staff reporter Wednesday, October 25, 2006 |
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| Mounia Sahara |
Moroccan singer Mounia Sahara's passion for reggae is yet another example of the enormous pull that Bob Marley and the music he made famous have across the globe.
"I was singing ever since I was born. I started to sing in a club every Sunday afternoon when I was around nine years old, in some kids contest in country music. Then I was introduced to Bob Marley by my father Mus Tatha who had a rock band called The Box. From I heard the music of Bob Marley I just get to like reggae music," explains the 29-year-old singer, who was born in Morocco but who has lived since the age of three in Canada.
Growing up, her father, who now teaches children to play musical instruments such as the guitar, the drums, and the piano, taught her how to play the guitar. She fell in love with music, and right away started making big career plans.
It was her fascination with Reggae that, in about 1996, spurred Mounia Sahara to kick-start her professional career as many singers do - singing background vocals - she for a Jamaican reggae artiste known as Silver Reddy. Six years ago, she stepped out on her own and moved to Jamaica where recorded her 2000 maiden CD, I've Got Joy, which was mixed in studios locally on the independent label, Silver Globe Records.
Later she would find the time wasn't right just yet.
"Because I was a new artiste and the songs were original and the people never heard of me, nothing never happened with the CD, it went slow," she admitted candidly.
Disappointed but not defeated, she went back to Canada, ended up taking courses in music lessons and now she is playing a little bit of the piano.
Now, Mounia Sahara says she's ready to conquer the land of reggae.
"I decided to return to Jamaica in 2005 to reintroduce myself and promote myself to the people because I know that Jamaica is the foundation of reggae music," the singer told the Observer.
Since she has been back, Mounia Sahara has appeared on a number of gigs including Rebel Salute, the MXIII Bob Marley Birthday Bash, the Garnet Silk Birthday Bash and at the Roots Bamboo Hotel.
Responses, she says, have been good. Now, with her career-building momentum, the singer, who also released a couple of singles recently, says she has plans to do another album this summer.
Among her singles available now are Israelites, HIM (His Imperial Majesty) and Hip featuring Luciano, Mikey General, among other local acts.
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