Kenza Farah is a successful R&B singer known for her deeply personal and socially conscious lyrics. The Marseilles singer creates Hip Hop-infused R&B, often collaborating with French rappers.
She first emerged as a tomboyish, ghetto poetess of sorts, penning lyrics about overcoming obstacles or the struggles of minorities and immigrant youth. Four albums and 10 years later, she enjoys wide appeal and is one of the foremost female French R&B singers of today.
Born Kenza Maouche, the Algerian-born artist first made a name for herself singing Celine Dion covers. At 14, she began performing at neighborhood festivals and winning talent competitions, and soon after, she met a music producer and recorded her first songs.
She gained a huge internet following, with two songs she posted on her blog being streamed over a million teams each. The web buzz landed her a record deal and officially launched her career.
Though her 2007 debut album, Authentik, was a hot mess all around (vocals, production, and songs), it filled a niche that was void at the time, and her massive internet following helped propel it to gold status.
Avec le Coeur
By contrast, her 2008 follow-up Avec le Coeur was a gem. It was a strong project worthy of bestowing the title “Princess of French R&B” upon the young artist. The double album is a fitting musical time capsule of R&B circa 2008 — and the production gimmicks thereof. Here her lyrics are as poignant as ever, and her sweet voice shines above all.
There’s plenty to like on this platinum-selling album. Top songs include “Au cœur de la rue,” “Mi Corazon,” “Peuple Du Monde Entier,” “Désillusion Du Ghetto,” “Kenza Sur Le Beat,” “Let Me Be With You,” and “J’essaie Encore.”
The song that first landed Kenza Farah on my radar was “Là Où Tu Vas” (“Wherever You Go”) which appeared on the soundtrack of the French film Le Coursier. The song is also available on Farah’s 2010 album, Tresor.
The Top 20 album was in line with her previous efforts, featuring her brand of storytelling over Hip-Hop/R&B beats. The singles included “Sans Jamais Se Plaindre,” “Opérationnel” (meh), “Je N’ai Pas Le Choix” and my favorite, “Coeur Prisonnier.” I’d add “Vagabonde” to that list as a standout track, along with the aforementioned “Là Où Tu Vas.”
Please note: The album is only available on physical CD in the U.S. No digital version is available.
Check out the videos for “Là Où Tu Vas” and “Coeur Prisonnier.”
4th Album
4 LoveThe singer released her album 4 Love in 2012. The “4” is an allusion to this being her 4th album, but the title also signaled a shift in style and subject matter. If her past albums had focused on social ills and street life, then THIS one was going to be about something lighter. Gone, too, were her trademark hoodies and tennis shoes, and tomboy image. A more feminine, more mature artist was on display.
Farah emerged with a sunny Pop vibe and a much less urban-sounding record, winning herself a broader fan base and scoring a summer hit with her first single, “Quelque Part.”
Other singles included “Lucky,” “Avec Toi,” “Coup De Coeur” featuring the rapper Soprano, and “Mohamed,” an Arab Spring anthem inspired by Mohamed Bouazizi, the Tunisian street vendor whose self-immolation sparked the protests that ousted that country’s president and inspired similar movements throughout the Middle East.
Download: “4 Love,” “Accordez moi,” “Quelque Part,” “Indélébile,” “Changer d’air”
A media frenzy erupted in late 2012, when the singer was involved in a backstage altercation with (former) best friend and fellow French R&B singer Léa Castel during a concert in Provence. Shortly after, Farah announced her retirement from the music business. That was an overreaction, to be sure, but the rumor was that she was the aggressor in the incident, and perhaps she was just embarrassed — and rightfully so. At any rate, she reversed course and announced she would be moving on from the dust-up and working on a new album.
More Music
Kenza Farah’s released the album Karismatik, 2014, with the singles “Yatayo,” “Problems” featuring the rapper Jul, and “Briser les chaînes.”
Similar artists: Sheryfa Luna, Zaho, Kayna Samet, Amel Bent, Melissa M, Léa Castel, Wallen, Leslie
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