Latifa
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2008-07-03T12:14:15Z
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{{For|the similarly named American rapper and actress|Queen Latifah}}
{{Cleanup|date=January 2007}}
{{Refimprove|date=January 2007}}
{{Inappropriate tone|date=June 2008}}
{{Infobox musical artist 2
| Name = Latifa <br />لطيفة
| Img_capt = Latifa, 2003
| Img = Latifa.jpg
| Img_capt = Latifa, 2003
| Background = solo_singer
| Birth_name = Latifa Bint Alayah Al Arfaoui
| Born = {{Birth date and age|1961|2|14|mf=y}}
| Origin = [[Manouba]], [[Tunisia]]
| Genre = Arab pop music, Classic, Arab Tarab,[[Khaleeji]], [[Arabic music]], [[Arabesque music]], [[Music of Egypt]], [[Middle Eastern music]], [[Disco]], [[Techno]], [[Raï]]
| Occupation = [[Singer]], [[Actress]]
| Years_active = 1980s–present
| Label = La Reine, [[Universal Music]], [[Warner Brothers]], [[EMI]], [[Virgin Records]], Alam Al Phan, LATISOL, [[Rotana]]
|URL = [http://www.Latifaonline.net Latifaonline.net]
}}
'''Latifa Bint Alayah Al Arfaoui''' ({{lang-ar|'''لطيفه بنت عليه العرفاوي'''}}) (born [[February 14]], [[1961]] in [[Manouba]], [[Tunisia]]), better known as '''Latifa''' (لطيفة), is an [[Arab]] [[pop music]] [[singer]].
The word Latifa is [[Arabic]] for "Soft", "Delicate", "Gentle" or "Sensitive".
== Career highlights ==
Latifa began her career at a very young age by becoming a prodigy at the age of six.
In 1983, shortly after her father died, Latifa and her family took a trip to [[Egypt]] to rest and mourn. During that time, Latifa met composer [[Baleegh Hamdi]], who advised her that she ought to move to [[Egypt]] for the sake of her career. However Latifa wanted to concentrate on her education. She returned to [[Tunisia]] to finish her high school final exams. Due to financial issues, she couldn't go back to [[Egypt]], so she attended [[college]] in [[Tunisia]], studying [[Dutch language|Dutch]] literature for a year and a half. Her family decided to help her make her dream come true by sending her to [[Egypt]], so Latifa quit college in [[Tunisia]] and joined the Arab [[Academy]] of [[Music]] in Egypt, from which she earned her [[bachelor degree]]. Even with her current busy schedule, Latifa is preparing for her master's degree.[http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/Ar/bio/aff/?MBR+,Izc3VmbfRWamIESW-QM.ITM9-gM.tUUP1ERXhVPSJUT-AM. Arabic reference]
Once when Latifa was singing live on a [[radio station]], [[composer]] [[Mohammed Abdel Wahab]] happened to hear her. Two days later he went to the Academy to find the girl he had heard on the [[radio]]. Latifa was speechless when she discovered he wanted to speak with her.
At the time Latifa primarily performed long Tarab songs, but she was interested in doing something new. She began to work with composer [[Ammar ElSheraei|Ammar Al Sherai'ei]] and poet [[Abdulwahab Muhammed]], whom she met during her first visit to the capital, [[Egypt]]. [http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/Ar/bio/aff/?MBR+,gTM9-gM.Izc3VmbfRWamIESW-QM.tUUP1ERXhVPSJUT-AM. Arabic reference]
== Latifa performing Arab classic music (Arab Tarab) ==
Many of Latifa's early albums (1980s) have Arab style. The album ''Mesa Al Jamal'' ("Evening Of Beauty") made Latifa famous in [[Egypt]].
== The first transitional period of Latifa's style ==
'''Akthar Min Roohi''' ("More than My Soul"), released in 1986. She began singing Arab pop songs with music by [[Ammar ElSheraei|Ammar Al Sherai'ei]] and lyrics by [[Abdulwahab Muhammed]]. The album was hugely successful all over the [[Arab world]]. The songs had very original ideas and distinctive styles, and Latifa began making her songs shorter and adding different influences such as [[tango music]]. She also shot a music video for the single '''Ew'ah Tegheer''' ("Don't Be Jealous") which was extremely popular. The huge success of this album allowed Latifa to buy half the shares of her producer's company and studio, La Reine. Since then, she has co-produced all her own albums and [[music video]]s.<ref>[http://www.almotamar.net/59511.htm] ''Almotamar.net</ref>
'''Hobbak Hadi''' ("Frigid Love") was released in 1993. In the title song, Latifa asks directly for more love because she is bored of her lover's "frigid" love; she needs love that moves her. Before the release of this album, no Arab woman had ever used such direct words about her love for a man in popular song.<ref>[http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/Ar/bio/aff/?MBR+,Izc3VmbfRWamIESW-QM.tUUP1ERXhVPSJUT-AM.EjM9-gM. http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/Ar/bio/aff/?MBR+,Izc3VmbfRWamIESW-QM.tUUP1ERXhVPSJUT-AM.EjM9-gM.] ''Latifaonline.net'' </ref>
In 1997, Latifa released the album '''Al Ghinwa''' ("The Song"). The actual song '''Al Ghinwa''' was considered to be the second part of the song '''Akthar Min Roohi''' from a previous album released in 1986. [http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/Ar/bio/aff/?MBR+,tUUP1ERXhVPSJUT-AM.Izc3VmbfRWamIESW-QM.AjM9-gM. Third paragraph]
Latifa then decided to perform a new style of songs called '''Qasa'ed Fos'ha'''. Her next album, 1998's '''Taloomoni Al Donya''' ("The World Blames Me"), featured Latifa singing lyrics written by the poet [[Nizar Qabbani]].<ref>[http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/Ar/bio/aff/?MBR+,tUUP1ERXhVPSJUT-AM.QjM9-gM.Izc3VmbfRWamIESW-QM. http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/Ar/bio/aff/?MBR+,tUUP1ERXhVPSJUT-AM.QjM9-gM.Izc3VmbfRWamIESW-QM.] ''Latifaonline.net'' </ref>
== The second transitional period of Latifa's style ==
After spending 10 days in the hospital due to a [[mental breakdown|nervous breakdown]], Latifa came back with a hit album, known in the [[Arab world]] with the title '''Wadeh''' ("Clear") and internationally known with the title '''Inchallah''' ("God willing") in 1999. The album was distributed by [[Universal Music]] France, and it was the first album in which Latifa performed in another [[language]]. The [[french language| F]]ranco-Arab song "Inchallah" made the ''[[Elle Magazine]]'' top 5. In the [[Arab world]], "Inchallah" ("God willing"), '''Kerehtak''' ("I Hated You") and '''Wadeh''' ("Clear") were popular singles. Before the release of this album, no Arabic pop singer had ever sung anything like "I hated you".[http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/En/bio/aff/?MBR+,tUUP1ERXhVPSJUT-AM.QM9-gM.Izc3VmbfRWamIESW-QM. Fourth paragraph]
The 2002 variety album ''Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms II'' featured Latifa performing an Arab [[Arabic poetry#Malhunah: informal poetry|Mawwal]] in the song "[[Take Me I'm Yours]]," and singing a small part in both Arabic and [[english language| English]] with [[Chris Difford]] and [[Glenn Tilbrook]] of the band [[Squeeze]]. [http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/En/bio/aff/?MBR+,tUUP1ERXhVPSJUT-AM.QM9-gM.Izc3VmbfRWamIESW-QM. Fourth paragraph]
Because of the album '''Ma Etrohsh Ba'ed''' (Don't go away) - produced in the year 2003 by Alam El Phan(Mazzica tv)- Latifa won the [[World Music Award]] 2004 for best selling artist in the [[Middle East]] and [[North Africa]]. Her speech was [[censorship|censored]] on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] when she said, "My happiness remains incomplete until [[Palestine]] & [[Iraq]] are freed".
In 2004, Latifa produced an album distributed by [[Warner Brothers]] [[France]], titled ''Les Plus Belles Chansons De Latifa'' ("Latifa's Best Songs"). Although the album was mostly a collection of greatest hits, it also featured a brand-new [[Raï]] song called "Khalleoni" ("Let Me") that was Latifa's first attempt at [[Raï]].[http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/En/bio/aff/?MBR+,tUUP1ERXhVPSJUT-AM.QM9-gM.Izc3VmbfRWamIESW-QM. Fifth paragraph]
In November, 2006 Latifa re-signed a [[contract]] with [[Rotana]] to distribute her records all over the [[Arab world]].<ref>[http://elaph.com/ElaphWeb/Music/2006/11/192758.htm http://elaph.com/ElaphWeb/Music/2006/11/192758.htm] ''Elaph.com'' </ref>
== Discography ==
During her 20+ year career, Latifa has released more than 20 albums and singles.
''For full list see, [[Latifa discography]]''
Translated English titles and [[Romanization of Arabic]] by [http://www.Latifaonline.net.com Latifa's official site].
=== Most recent ===
* '''Ma'alomat Akeeda''' (Definite information) International release
* '''Ma'alomat Akeeda''' (Definite information)
* '''Ma Etrohsh Ba'ed''' (Don't go away)
* '''Wadeh''' (Clear/Honest)
=== International releases ===
* '''Les Plus Belles Chansons De Latifa'''
* '''Inchallah''' (God willing)
* '''Ma Wahashtaksh?''' (Did you miss me?)
* '''Wa Akheeran''' (At last)
=== Soundtracks ===
* '''Hokom Al Ro'ayan''' (Reign of the shepherds)
* '''Sokoot...Ha Ensawwar''' (Silence…we're rolling)
=== Featured in ===
* '''Desert Roses 4'''
* '''Viva Arabia 4'''
* '''Desert Roses 2'''
* '''Etre Femme'''
== Videography ==
During her career, Latifa released more than 30 [[music videos]]
See [[Latifa videography]].
== Actress ==
In 2001 Latifa played a lead role in the film Sokoot Ha Ensawwar ("Silence... We're Rolling"), directed by [[Youssef Chahine]]. She also starred in the play Hokom Al Roa'yaan ("Reign of the Shepherds") in 2004 written by [[Mansour Rahbani]]. In 2007 she appeared in the seventh episode of the Arabic version of [[ER (TV series)|ER]], starring as her self.
==Philanthropy==
25% of Latifa's income from her concerts goes to her charity foundation.
== See also ==
* [[Latifa discography]]
* [[Latifa videography]]
* [[Ela Toghat Al Alaam]]
* [[Arabic pop music]]
* [[Arabic music]]
* [[Raï]]
== Sources ==
* Latifa (her self)
* [http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/En/bio/?MBR+,lEVDNUTGpVPSJUT-AM.UESJ-QM. Latifa's Biography]
* [http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/En/video/Clips/?MBR+,yJWb-AM. Latifa's videography]
* [http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/En/music/albums/?MBR+,lEVDNUTGpVPSJUT-AM.UESJ-QM. Latifa's discography]
* [http://www.latifaonline.net/v4/En/video/Prog.TV/Sub.Cat/?MBR+,0Tb1JGbh9FZpZyVX-QM.AO0-gM.ZVTTRVWVplR9U2U-AM. World Music Awards] 2004 video (uncensored version)
* [http://www.arabicnights.com.au/artists/latifa.php Arabnights website]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.Latifaonline.net Latifa's official site] (English and Arabic)
*[http://www.dolido.eu/Album/Latifa_Ma3lomat_Akeedah.php Listen to Latifa's Latest Album : Ma'alomaat Akeeda]
{{Arabic Pop}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Arab musicians]]
[[Category:Arabic language singers]]
[[Category:Tunisian female singers]]
[[Category:Rotana artists]]
[[ar:لطيفة]]
[[cy:Latifa Arfaoui]]
[[de:Latifa]]
[[fr:Latifa Arfaoui]]