Lebanese singer Nawal Zoghbi is going to cooperate with Cheb Mami in shooting a new duet that will feature both Arabic and French lyrics in a rhythmic Rai style.
Recording will take place “in the coming months” and the song is expected to be released by the middle of next year.
“Zoghbi has become interested in collaborating with Cheb Mami because of the French-Algerian's international appeal and as an admirer of his style,” her manager Pierre Asmar was quoted by a report as saying.
"Nawal's new song will be more up beat than her usual style," he told Cyberia.com, a Lebanese portal.
According to Asmar, the song is still being written at the moment and is as yet untitled. However, he confirms that the new tune will be a love song and will be delivered in the strongly rhythmic Rai style that fans of Cheb Mami will recognize.
Cheb Mami was born and raised in Saida, a village in south-west Algeria. He moved to Paris aged 19 and quickly crafted his musical style, blending the folk melodies and political messages of Algeria with Western instrumentation.
Having gained steadily in popularity in Algeria and France during the 1990s, the 35-year-old Rai star achieved wide international prominence following his duet with UK rock star Sting in October 1999 – Albawaba.com
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