Moroccan singer Latifa has won first prize for best female Arab singer at the Marrakech Golden Musical festival, while Iraqi singer Kathem El Saher won first prize for best male Arab singer. The singers received their prizes at a celebration held Saturday November 29, 2003.
According to the London based, Elaph, Latifa refused to sing at the festival after receiving her award, saying she is in morning over the lost of Tunisian singer Thikra, who passed away a day before, after being murdered by her husband.
Recently Latifa was in Lebanon to be in the company of music composer and distributor Jan Mary Riashi in order to launch the release of her latest album “Ma Itrohshi Baeed” (Don’t Go Far), which is the title of one of the songs Jan had composed for her along with “Sabrine” (We Are Patient). It was revealed that a number of prominent figures from the entertainment world and the media shared the celebration alongside Latifa.
Latifa expressed her joy at releasing her album from Lebanon saying she is grateful to the Lebanese people for their utmost support. At the celebration Latifa gave a speech in which she thanked all those who attended and hoped that her new album is up to standards and meets the expectations of everyone.
Extensive negotiations have begun between Latifa and the music production company Rotana, as the latter is trying extra hard to add the singer to its long list of singers. Officials at Rotana feels that Latifa has proven great success in her career and would be a very important asset to the company. It was revealed that most issues between the two sides have been agreed on and the possibility of a final contract is on the way. The company is very careful in making sure it selects singers that have gained huge popularity and usually gives them financial offers that are impossible to refuse.
Officials at the Egyptian Media Production City are currently undergoing extensive negotiations with the heirs of the late Egyptian singer Laila Murad in an attempt to produce a new film about her life. The producers have nominated Latifa to play the role of Laila and how the late singer’s career inflected with politics and people of the entertainment world.
The film is to also tackle how the Israeli occupation at the time affected her life and her refusal to immigrate to Israel with the rest of her family. The film will also feature how Laila came to change her religion and become a Muslim marrying a Muslim director and resigning from her singing career. The movie is to take people from the beginning of Laila’s life up to her death talking about all the significant circumstances that made her life so intriguing. Director Zaki Fatin, son of the late singer, has been nominated to direct the film.
Her album was previously scheduled to be released on June 26, 2003, but was postponed due to a few minor problems. The album holds the title "Habibi Ma Itrooh Ib'eed", and is produced by Alam El Phan. It features a variety of 12 songs that were very carefully chosen by Latifa. –Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
