Read: Emel Mathlouthi on why she doesn't want to be classified as 'voice of the Tunisian revolution'

Thursday Jul 12th 2018

News snacks

Singer-songwriter and producer Emel Mathlouthi gained global recognition as a protest singer when her recording 'Kelmti Horra (My Word Is Free)' became an anthem of the Arab Spring. But, in a recent interview with Arab News, she explains why she no longer wants to be categorized as 'Voice of the Tunisian revolution'.

"That was all a long time ago (...) I don't want to only be defined as someone associated with the revolution. I want to create music that’s on the frontline, not only of what it’s standing for, but also the quality of what people are listening to." - Emel Mathlouthi

Mathlouthi also said her next album will be in English, as it was the language she started singing in as a teenager. According to Arab News, she seeks inspiration for new songs in the poetry of T.S. Eliot, Rainer Maria Rilke and John Ashbury. Earlier this year, she already released the video for 'Insanity'; watch it below, co-directed by Claire Price:

Emel Mathlouthi's performance at Le Guess Who? 2018 is curated by Moor Mother. This curated program also features Art Ensemble of Chicago, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, Nicole Mitchell, 700 Bliss, Irreversible Entanglements feat. Pat Thomas, RP Boo, Saul Williams & King Britt, and many more.