La Zarra

54560 fans

“O my heart, ask not where the love has gone
It was but a citadel of my imagination that has collapsed Pour me and let me drink of its ruins
And tell of me as long as my tears flow
Tell how that love became past”
Oum Kalthoum, “Al Atlal”
“When I sing, sorrow is never too far away. Melancholy... I find it romantic. And it carries me to feelings that I can’t necessarily grasp in everyday relationships. Music helps me transcend reality. If I’m this way, it’s definitely thanks to the female singers I’ve listened to since I was a young girl.”
It’s an incredible story, one where magic triumphs over cynicism. The story of a voice – a voice capable of summoning the most dizzying emotions – that nobody had ever heard. La Zarra
would sing at home by herself, for herself, and within herself. In Montreal, city where she was born, she sang with no witnesses, when no one was around to listen. Barbara, Édith Piaf, Billie Holiday, Céline Dion, Mariah Carey, 2-Pac, Puff Daddy, Arabic music, middle of the road – she never dismissed anything. She shied away from labels and would let her heart have the last word, always. It was her mother who first initiated her to songs. As a young girl, she remembers Piaf most vividly – she recalls not being fond of the way the French singer rolled her “R”s. But then, she fell under Piaf’s spell. Intensely. Up until her recent cover of PNL’s “À L’Ammoniaque”, which she seamlessly blended with Piaf’s “Mon Dieu”. The result is simply mind-blowing. Her cover of SCH’s “Tirer un Trait” is equally overwhelming.
“When I hear all these songs again, so many feelings come back to the surface, and nostalgia takes hold of me. These melodies will forever reside within me, in my heart”, she explains. Urban pop – the ultimate catchphrase. Practical and ridiculous. As if there was something called country pop...
For La Zarra, we must come up with something much better. Attaching a half-hearted label to her obviously won’t cut it. In La Zarra’s case, hip hop crosses the line into song. The waltz whisks us away to uncharted lands. The bossa nova ripples under a silver moonlight. La Zarra has an intricate way of mixing genres, of dissolving eras, and of tracing a new path where clichés implode and ultimately disappear. What if she’s the one – La Zarra – who could finally sign the armistice between middle of the road and rap? Between past and present? Between parents and their children? Thirty years ago, rappers were ashamed to speak of song, wary to admit they enjoyed listening to Goldman or Brel. By contrast, singers considered rap to be anti-music, only meant to celebrate the ‘hoods and to shake up the established world order. These two positions were absurd, of course. They sought to oppose one another while they were, in fact, intrinsically linked – and had always been. When listening to La Zarra’s voice, we quickly come to realize that this opposition is no longer relevant. She represents more than the missing link (she would undoubtedly blush at such a compliment, seeing as she prefers instinctive beauty to contemporary narcissism) – she is, rather, the junction. Yes, quite precisely. The junction.
“I never took singing lessons, and never intended to become a singer. I felt it was perhaps a calling, but not my first choice. As a teenager, I wanted to be a professional dancer (laughs). All of this began by mere coincidence. I crossed paths with a composer called Benny Adam. He heard me sing one night and invited me to drop by the studio the next day. And that’s how I found myself writing “Printemps Blanc”. That was in 2016...”
In the age of singers who are anything but talented, in today’s world of discarded artists who get signed based on their number of followers, La Zarra is nothing short of an apparition. An exception. She exudes a modest sense of eagerness that is absolutely admirable. Through her songs, she tells her life story. These songs must not only be heard – they must be listened to attentively in order to truly discover her. In order to explore her music that takes no prisoners, and that invites listeners into a space where there is no room for lies. La Zarra has indeed grasped something crucial: just as in love, you shouldn’t give away all your secrets on the first date. You should keep the mystery alive, and build bridges that, one day, open you up to the world. La Zarra lives her life by proxy through songs that have the ability to heal, to soothe.
When Billie Holiday tears apart reality and dives into the depths of our soul – her songs like strange fruits that hang painfully from their trees – we are left feeling neither fear nor hatred. We rise. We soar. Our tears turn into pearls, and our ghosts into traveling companions. La Zarra has this power within her as well – the ability to overcome pain in order to breathe anew. Music as a cathartic experience. Aristotle was onto something – something very important. Songs are anecdotal. They last but a few minutes, yet have the power to uproot Man from himself. We look to them to write the soundtrack of our lives. They are precious and indelible, like small tattoos.
La Zarra is mainly driven by instinct, much like all other self-taught artists bestowed by some form of grace. It is in 2019 that she chose this name – La Zarra. A name that recalls her roots, that is almost superhero-like. A name that lends to the imagination. It conjures up the image of a lady whose velvety voice enthralls a cabaret audience, on a Parisian night in the 19th century, before she runs down the streets of the capital city on a nocturnal quest for sensational adventures. A lady that could have been brought to life by Hugo’s pen, or by Toulouse-Lautrec’s paintbrush. La Zarra is an enigma. A promise. A signature in phosphorescent ink. When talking to her via video call, her parrot (Chloé) and her cat (one of three feline companions) invite themselves effortlessly into the conversation.
“I admire all these women who, at a time when it wasn’t easy being a woman, managed to stay strong, independent, and to make their presence known. Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe... all these women inspire me. But I can’t see myself going on stage dressed in underwear (laughs). That’s just not me.” La Zara dresses much like the way she sings – with undeniable class and depth. A free woman, a femme fatale... it’s not a choice she needs to make, and she knows it. And that in itself is moving and impressive.
She is currently working on her debut album, scheduled to come out in spring 2021. Several songs have already come together. She admits having written over forty of them. Song selection is already proving to be a challenge, but one she will rise up to. Although the album title is still undecided as of yet, “The Bridge” could be a potential lead. Very fitting. The link between two entities – hip hop and song – which have for far too long given each other the cold shoulder, as she put it, through a disarming smile. La Zarra is both a peacemaker and a pioneer. An old soul and an ever-curious child.
She took her time, not wanting to rush things. Not wanting to trample on anything. She was right in doing so. Now, she is ready. She has something to offer. And expects nothing in return. Well, maybe not nothing... a little love would be nice. Make that a whole lot of love. A connection with the audience. Her audience. The one she – she who has incredibly never walked the stage – awaits almost feverishly. An audience that will come to life when hearing her voice. A bright voice like no other. One that can tear away the darkness that currently seeks to divide us, to swallow us whole.

Top tracks

04
Tu t’en iras
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:26
Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond
01
Évidemment
La Zarra
Évidemment
03:00
Composers: Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond - Fatima Zahra Hafdi
01
Sans moi
La Zarra
Sans moi
03:38
Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond
07
Les amants de la colline
Slimane
Chroniques d’un cupidon
03:25
Writer: Slimane / Composers: Meir Salah - Yaacov Salah
13
Vie d’artiste
La Zarra
Traîtrise
02:46
Writer: Nazim Khaled - Fatima Zahra Hafdi / Composers: Nazim Khaled - Fatima Zahra Hafdi
01
À l’ammoniaque / Mon dieu
La Zarra
À l’ammoniaque / Mon dieu
03:15
Composers: Michel Vaucaire - Charles Dumont - Nabil Andrieu - Tarik Andrieu - AnaÏka - Harold Hotton - Sam H
01
Tirer un trait
La Zarra
Tirer un trait
02:58
Composers: Bruno Pietres - Luca Mecozzi - Pierre Lefebvre
01
Fille de joie
La Zarra
Traîtrise
02:50
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir / Composers: Richard Beynon - Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond
02
LVQM
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:09
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir / Composers: Stan Neff - Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Gary Derussy
01
Formidable - Souvenirs d'enfance
La Zarra
Formidable - Souvenirs d'enfance
03:31
Composers: Paul van Haver - Lionel Capouillez
05
TFTF
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:00
Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond - Marc Vincent - Wladimir Pariente - Alexis Cadrot
03
Simple ami
La Zarra
Traîtrise
02:54
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir / Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir
01
Santa Baby
La Zarra
Santa Baby
03:29
Composers: Philip Springer - Tony Springer - Joan Javits
01
Printemps blanc
La Zarra
Printemps blanc
02:06
Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Noureddine Bahri
08
Comme je l'aime
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:26
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir / Composers: Sean Fisher - Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir
10
Ne m’en veux pas
La Zarra
Traîtrise
02:51
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi / Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Alexis Cadrot - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond - Marc Vincent
07
Pas le Coeur à la fête
La Zarra
Traîtrise
02:50
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi / Composers: Yaacov Salah - Meir Salah - Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Alexis Cadrot - John Mamann
11
Fleur oubliée
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:18
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi / Composers: Philippe Brault - Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Alban Lico
12
Je coule
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:35
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi / Composers: Philippe Brault - Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Pierre-Laurent Faure - Marc Vincent

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  • Discography
Albums
℗ 2021 Capitol Music France
03-12-2021
Traîtrise
01
Fille de joie
La Zarra
Traîtrise
02:50
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir / Composers: Richard Beynon - Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond
02
LVQM
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:09
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir / Composers: Stan Neff - Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Gary Derussy
03
Simple ami
La Zarra
Traîtrise
02:54
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir / Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir
04
Tu t’en iras
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:26
Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond
05
TFTF
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:00
Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond - Marc Vincent - Wladimir Pariente - Alexis Cadrot
06
Traîtrise
La Zarra
Traîtrise
02:39
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir / Composers: Yaacov Salah - Ahmed Saghir - Clément Langlois-Légaré - Mheir Salah
07
Pas le Coeur à la fête
La Zarra
Traîtrise
02:50
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi / Composers: Yaacov Salah - Meir Salah - Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Alexis Cadrot - John Mamann
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
℗ 2022 Capitol Music France
03-12-2021
Traîtrise
01
Sans moi
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:38
Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond
02
Fille de joie
La Zarra
Traîtrise
02:50
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir / Composers: Richard Beynon - Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond
03
LVQM
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:09
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir / Composers: Stan Neff - Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Gary Derussy
04
Simple ami
La Zarra
Traîtrise
02:54
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir / Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir
05
Tu t’en iras
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:26
Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond
06
TFTF
La Zarra
Traîtrise
03:00
Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond - Marc Vincent - Wladimir Pariente - Alexis Cadrot
07
Traîtrise
La Zarra
Traîtrise
02:39
Writer: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir / Composers: Yaacov Salah - Ahmed Saghir - Clément Langlois-Légaré - Mheir Salah
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
Singles
℗ 2023 Capitol Music France
23-06-2023
Évidemment (Duet Version)
01
Évidemment (Duet Version)
La Zarra
Évidemment (Duet Version)
03:00
Writer: Antonis Pappas / Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond
℗ 2023 Capitol Music France
19-02-2023
Évidemment
01
Évidemment
La Zarra
Évidemment
03:00
Composers: Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond - Fatima Zahra Hafdi
℗ 2022 Capitol Music France
24-06-2022
Sans moi
01
Sans moi
La Zarra
Sans moi
03:38
Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Yannick Rastogi - Zacharie Raymond
℗ 2021 Capitol Music France
22-10-2021
Santa Baby
01
Santa Baby
La Zarra
Santa Baby
03:29
Composers: Philip Springer - Tony Springer - Joan Javits
℗ 2021 Capitol Music France
12-10-2021
Formidable - Souvenirs d'enfance
01
Formidable - Souvenirs d'enfance
La Zarra
Formidable - Souvenirs d'enfance
03:31
Composers: Paul van Haver - Lionel Capouillez
℗ 2021 Capitol Music France
05-03-2021
Tirer un trait
01
Tirer un trait
La Zarra
Tirer un trait
02:58
Composers: Bruno Pietres - Luca Mecozzi - Pierre Lefebvre
℗ 2021 Capitol Music France
15-01-2021
Printemps blanc
01
Printemps blanc
La Zarra
Printemps blanc
02:06
Composers: Fatima Zahra Hafdi - Ahmed Saghir - Noureddine Bahri
℗ 2020 Capitol Music France
11-12-2020
À l’ammoniaque / Mon dieu
01
À l’ammoniaque / Mon dieu
La Zarra
À l’ammoniaque / Mon dieu
03:15
Composers: Michel Vaucaire - Charles Dumont - Nabil Andrieu - Tarik Andrieu - AnaÏka - Harold Hotton - Sam H
Featured in
℗ 2016 Capitol Music France
09-12-2016
Les autres
01
ARA
Niro
Les autres
05:12
Writer: Niro / Composers: Seezy
02
On changera jamais
Niro
Les autres
04:49
Writer: Niro / Composers: Wealstarr
03
Mama t'avais raison
Niro
Les autres
03:19
Writer: Niro / Composers: Therapy
04
Normal
Niro
Les autres
04:02
Writer: Niro / Composers: Therapy
05
S3
Niro
Les autres
03:47
Writer: Niro / Composers: Ray De Souza
06
Vamos
Niro
Les autres
02:57
Writer: Niro - Ayesha Chanel / Composers: Therapy
07
Roulez
Niro
Les autres
03:12
Writer: Niro / Composers: Therapy
Access the complete album info (18 songs)
℗ 2022 Noé Music
01-09-2022
Chroniques d’un cupidon
01
Enfant de la lune
Slimane
Chroniques d’un cupidon
03:13
Writer: Slimane / Composers: Meir Salah - Yaacov Salah
02
La recette
Slimane
Chroniques d’un cupidon
03:17
Writer: Slimane / Composers: Meir Salah - Yaacov Salah
03
Chez toi
Slimane
Chroniques d’un cupidon
03:19
Composers: Slimane - Claudio Capéo - Meir Salah - Yaacov Salah
04
Des milliers de je t'aime
Slimane
Chroniques d’un cupidon
03:32
Writer: Slimane / Composers: Meir Salah - Yaacov Salah
05
L'armure
Slimane
Chroniques d’un cupidon
03:15
Writer: Slimane / Composers: Meir Salah - Yaacov Salah
06
Sentimental
Slimane
Chroniques d’un cupidon
02:56
Writer: Slimane / Composers: Meir Salah - Yaacov Salah
07
Les amants de la colline
Slimane
Chroniques d’un cupidon
03:25
Writer: Slimane / Composers: Meir Salah - Yaacov Salah
Access the complete album info (19 songs)
℗ 2022 UMG Recordings, Inc. FP
27-06-2022
SUAVEMENTE
01
Suavemente
Soolking
SUAVEMENTE
02:39
Writer: Elvis Crespo / Composers: Elvis Crespo
02
Laisse tomber
ISK
SUAVEMENTE
03:12
Writer: ISK - Timal / Composers: HoodStar
03
Balader
Soolking
SUAVEMENTE
02:54
Writer: Soolking / Composers: Soolking - Mkl
04
Filtré
Timal
SUAVEMENTE
02:49
Writer: Timal - Gazo / Composers: Noxious
05
On a l'habitude (Ok Many)
Vegedream
SUAVEMENTE
02:50
Writer: naps - Vegedream / Composers: Evazao Evazao - Ken Kabongo
06
Papier rose
100 Blaze
SUAVEMENTE
02:52
Writer: 100 Blaze - Jul - naps / Composers: HRNN - Luis Santana
07
Daddy chocolat
Koba LaD
SUAVEMENTE
03:12
Writer: Koba LaD - Gazo / Composers: Chapo - Heizenberg - MB - FD Prod
Access the complete album info (64 songs)
℗ 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc. FP
20-09-2023
French Heat Hits
01
Askim
Soolking
French Heat Hits
02:52
Writer: Soolking - Reynmen / Composers: Soolking - BuJaa Beats
02
Mon soleil
Dadju
French Heat Hits
03:11
Writer: Dadju - Anitta - Carolina Colón Juarbe - Michael Malih - Cristina Chiluiza / Composers: Dadju - Nyadjiko - Carolina Colón Juarbe - Michael Malih - Cristina Chiluiza
03
Validée
Booba
French Heat Hits
03:25
Writer: Booba - Benash / Composers: Hi Stakes
04
Ε. Signaler
Damso
French Heat Hits
03:22
Writer: Damso / Composers: Double X
05
Meleğim
Soolking
French Heat Hits
03:40
Writer: Soolking - Dadju / Composers: Nyadjiko
06
Macarena
Damso
French Heat Hits
03:27
Writer: Damso / Composers: Double X
07
Bolide allemand
SDM
French Heat Hits
02:56
Writer: SDM / Composers: Berry - Yopsy - Isko
Access the complete album info (26 songs)
℗ 2022 UMG Recordings, Inc. FP
16-06-2022
De Tour La Grande Boucle | Cycling Music
01
Voilà
Barbara Pravi
De Tour La Grande Boucle | Cycling Music
02:55
Writer: Barbara Pravi - Lili Poe / Composers: Barbara Pravi - Igit
02
Dernière danse
Indila
De Tour La Grande Boucle | Cycling Music
03:32
Writer: Indila / Composers: Indila - Skalpovich
03
J't'emmène au vent
Louise Attaque
De Tour La Grande Boucle | Cycling Music
03:05
Writer: Gaëtan Roussel - Alexandre Margraff - Robin Feix - Arnaud Samuel / Composers: Gaëtan Roussel - Alexandre Margraff - Robin Feix - Arnaud Samuel
04
Le Dernier Jour du Disco
Juliette Armanet
De Tour La Grande Boucle | Cycling Music
03:27
Writer: Juliette Armanet - Diane Jacqus / Composers: Juliette Armanet - Adrien Armanet
05
Nos plus belles années
Grand Corps Malade
De Tour La Grande Boucle | Cycling Music
03:32
Writer: Grand Corps Malade - Kimberose / Composers: Mosimann
06
La bohème
Charles Aznavour
De Tour La Grande Boucle | Cycling Music
04:03
Writer: Jacques Plante / Composers: Charles Aznavour
07
Quelqu'un m'a dit
Carla Bruni
De Tour La Grande Boucle | Cycling Music
02:45
Writer: Carla Bruni - Leos Carax / Composers: Carla Bruni
Access the complete album info (15 songs)