Soumia: Moroccan Zouk diva is back in full force

By Christine Jean-Pierre

CSMS Magazine Staff Writer

If you haven’t been listening to the latest Zouk hit on Trace fm in Martinique or log on   Youtube.com this week, you may have missed the musical firestorm now hitting the Konpa/Zouk world. Yes, Morrocan diva Soumia is back with a refreshingly sweet Konpa titled Mene Mwen that has been holding the number one spot on live radio countdowns all week all over Konpa and Zouk stations in both Europe and the Caribbean. Since her previously released hit Ton Silence, she had been keeping a low profile—until now. Just when we all thought that Soumia was gone for a bit, she comes back in full force with a new album and hot singles such as La Prisonnière, La isla bonita and, now, the new Konpa club hit Mene mwen.

            Soumia was born on August 27, 1977 in Saint Mande (Val-de-Marne) on the outskirts of Paris to Moroccan parents. She began singing since she was a teenager as a member of her local church choir and participated in various musical talent shows in France. In late 1997, Soumia got discovered by renowned Zouk producer Ronald Rubinel and released her first song in early 1998 Pou temps which was a duet with Zouk singer Talina for the zouk compilation RUBIZOUK. The success of the single helped her reach the gig of performing at the Au Zenith stage for the Zouk Hit machine I and II concert, where she performed along side Thierry Cham and Zouk hit maker Kaysha.

            In early 2001, she began working on a second Zouk compilation album. This time, she collaborated with Kaysha for the album ZOUK R&B VOLUME III. The collaboration between Soumia and Kaysha would be the start of many more songs to come for her first solo album Still in Love released in 2002.  The songs in the album were produced by Kaysha and featured artistes such as Elizio, Perle Lama, Lynnesha, and Jacky Rapon. The album was chalk-filled by hits like Rendez moi that became one of the hymns of a new generation of Zouk fans.

            In late 2005, Soumia released her second album Still in love again. In that album, although very awaited, she didn’t disappoint her fans with hits like Ton silence produced by Ali Angel and Entre Nous written and produced by Zouk songstress Kenedy. In this album, she demonstrated her maturity by writing most of the songs on the album; she also proved she is a multicultural artist with an impressing skill for multi-tasks.

            Her diversity is once again proven with the release of this impeccable video released last week on You Tube. In this video filmed on one of the golden beaches of Martinique, many pillars of the new generation are featured, noticeably Warren, Teeyah, Marvin, Thayna, Kaysha etc.  

            Against the backdrop of a paradisiacal paysage and turquoise water, this beautiful mûlatresse, framed by fans and producers, sings and dances with a meticulousness that has already won the hearts of many. The steady climbing on the chat and the swelling of the numbers on You Tube speak for themselves.

            Soumia is an incredible artist with an impeccable vocal talent, which is almost reminiscent of the late Edith Lefel. According to Zouk and Konpa fans and critics, Soumia is and may forever be a remarkable Konpa/Zouk songtress for many years to come.

Also see  Konpa/Zouk/Kizomba and the ancillary findings of the week

Stop being bias towards Konpa: Zouk , Kizomba and Konpa are just the same or Just about 

Kaalysta: La nouvelle Caledonian zouk sensation 

Warren E-Zouk Album: An Artistic Success 

Misty Jean’s Li pa two ta has catapulted the artist to the pinnacle of her career 

Harmonik’s Jere’m: album review 

Jude Jean: the forgotten prince of the nouvelle generation
Kenedy: La nouvelle princesse of zouk

Milca: New Haitian diva crowned in Paris while Konpa is breaking new grounds

Dwindling record sales forces Zouk producers to call Konpa to the rescue

Zouk music producers have turned into Kompa to boost record sales