Zaki Ibrahim

Zaki Ibrahim
Born British Columbia
Genres R&B, soul and jazz
Occupation(s) Singer
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2006–present
Associated acts Erykah Badu

Zaki Ibrahim is a South African-Canadian singer-songwriter. Her music blends R&B, soul and jazz.[1]

Career

Born in British Columbia to a father from South Africa and a mother from the United Kingdom,[2] Ibrahim spent her childhood as what she describes as a "citizen of the world", living at different times in Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom, France and Lebanon.[1] Her father, Zane Ibrahim, was a pioneering radio broadcaster in South Africa,[3] who was one of the founders of the influential community radio station Bush Radio.

She moved to Toronto, Ontario in the mid-2000s, and soon became a popular draw on the city's live music scene.[1] She released her debut EP, Shö (Iqra in Orange), in 2006.[2] Following one show at the El Mocambo in 2007, her production team and supporting musicians immediately formed an assembly line to produce and burn a compact disc recording of the just-completed show for immediate sale; the lineup to purchase copies extended well outside the club's front door.[1]

She released a second EP, Eclectica (Episodes in Purple), in 2008. Her live shows to support the EP included an appearance with Bedouin Soundclash at the 2008 MuchMusic Video Awards, and a show opening for Erykah Badu at Massey Hall.[1] She garnered a Juno Award nomination for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2009 for her single "Money".[1] Her song "Ansomnia" was included in the 2010 film soundtrack For Colored Girls: Music From and Inspired by the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.[1]

Her first full-length album, Every Opposite, was released in 2012.[2] The album was named as a longlisted nominee for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize on June 13, 2013,[4] and subsequently named to the short list on July 16, 2013.[5]

She is currently based in Cape Town.[2]

Albums

References