LL: You had a very instable and varied childhood, with a move from Algeria to Cuba. Do you feel more Cuban or African? Or a mix of both cultures?
Born and raised in the Saharawi refugee camps lining the frontier between Algeria and Western Sahara, Aziza's life has been marked hardship. Fleeing from the camps that followed Morocco's 1975 invasion of Western Sahara, as a young teenager Aziza travelled to Cuba for her secondary school studies. There she experienced first hand the deep Cuban economic crisis of the 1990s and the subsequent denial of her request to pursue a university degree in music.
Music had been Aziza's passion since she was a small girl and despite this setback she returned to the Saharawi camps in Algeria and began singing and playing in different musical ensembles, a process that continued when she moved to Spain in the year 2000. There she founded the eclectic Saharawi/Spanish band Gulili Mankoo with whom she released two acclaimed self-produced recordings: the EP 'Mi Canto' (2008) and an album 'Mabruk' (2012), both on Reaktion, a French label specializing in Saharan music. In the last years Aziza has performed extensively appearing at major festivals and venues including WOMAD Cáceres (2012) and the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London (2009).
Aziza: In reality my childhood wasn't that instable. It was just varied. Just like all the Sarahawis of my generation I was born in a refugee camp, in the midst of a conflict which appeared to be endless. However, despite all these difficulties I was lucky enough to travel to Cuba to complete my secondary school studies. I am African, but just as all my contemporaries I am 'Cubaruis', we have been greatly influenced by our years spent on the island.
LL: Tell me a bit about your life in Cuba during the 90s?
Aziza: They were very difficult times. I lived there during the so called 'Periodo Especial', the most difficult years during the economic blockade. We missed our families, during those years I couldn't visit them, there wasn't even the possibility to have regular contact with them - it was very sporadic. However, they were very productive years on a cultural level and the amount which I learnt from living and working alongside young people from other African and Latin American countries.
LL: Do you feel proud for having produced such great music despite being denied the right to study a BA in music in Cuba?
Aziza: I feel incredibly satisfied for having made music, my songs bring people together. It's what I have always wanted to do.
LL: What are the differences between 'Mabruk' and 'Soutak'?
Aziza:"Mabruk"is a self-produced album, it's more rock, more electronic and is based on my Grandmother's work, the poet Ljadra Mint Mabruk. "Soutak" on the other hand, is much more acoustic, based on desert blues. It is a CD which has more links to music from Mali, it's more personal. It expresses my opinion on different topics. Furthermore,"Soutak" has invaluable production by Chris Eckman.
LL: Which is more powerful for you - your voice or the instruments you use?
Aziza: For me, my voice has always been more powerful. It transmits my message. Instruments are powerful as they provide the melody through which the message is carried.
LL: How is your music received here in Europe?
Aziza: "Soutak" has been very well received by the public and critics. I am incredibly happy to have been number one for WMCE for two consecutive months (March and April).
LL: Now you are a mother, (congratulations) has the message you transmit changed in the song 'Julud'?
Aziza: Thank you. Julud is a song for my mother and relates to the incredible fight and struggle that Saharawi women undertake. Any mother who has had to put their children first in difficult circumstances can relate to the song.
LL: How is life for you now in Barcelona?
Aziza: It's a very normal life, just like that of every city dweller. Barcelona has a very varied cultural scene and the climate is great. I love having a quiet life, enjoying time with my family.
LL: What other plans do you have for 2014?
Aziza: I would like to finish the songs for my next album.
website: http://aziza-brahim.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @AzizaBrahim1 http://twitter.com/AzizaBrahim1
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