Photo Credit: Amber Grey
A lesson in what feminism is all about inspired EMEL to build a community of queer and female creatives. That community then helped EMEL with 2024’s ‘MRA,’ out everywhere on April 19th. We talked about this amazing team of talented individuals, working alongside Ami Yerewolo on her single “Nar” and more in this back-and-forth exchange.
Kendra: Some years ago I was running a music site and one day I realized that a lot of the male artists just weren’t giving me what I needed anymore. So I took a long break from them. I think that’s what initially drew me towards you as you’ve created a strong community around yourself building an all-female + queer team. However, what inspired that in your life, that need to build up this support system?
EMEL: I just realized that being a feminist is not just showcasing yourself because you are a woman, being a feminist is supporting other women with action and that is why I decided to do this album only with women, to give other women a platform, to create with women and show the world we are not rivals at the contrary, I enjoyed working with women and seeing my ideas taking shape in ways I’ve never thought of before Sorority is true and precious and we need other women to take a leap of faith in each other because unfortunately, men mostly hire other men, all the time, women also hire men so we need to reverse this and break the cycle to allow women to take more space, the one they deserve.
Kendra: And this support system, this community has led to 2024’s ‘MRA.’ An album that explores and highlights sounds from all over the globe, but were there any genres you embraced on this album that were new to you?
EMEL: Absolutely, I explored hip hop, a genre that I realize I am very very fond of and close to, I also generally explored hard beats, trap, and techno which were all genres that I always loved and enjoyed hearing but never explored playing that much strangely enough.
Kendra: Let’s talk about “Nar.” You worked with Ami Yerewolo on this one. How did you two come together? Had you known one another before the collaboration?
EMEL: Absolutely not, as an Arab African artist I never saw any collaborations between North African artists and a black African artist, somehow colonization created that invisible barrier between us while we share a lot culturally speaking…so I asked my entourage for a very cool African rapper and Ami just strongly stood out and I am so proud of this collaboration, Ami is an incredible artist and a wonderful human, I am so glad we built this bridge, African women are stronger together
Kendra: As far as the video for “Nar” goes, it was shot in an old textile factory in Cairo, one that was women-operated. When you knew you wanted to shoot this as a single, was this where your mind instantly went?
EMEL: No, but it was a great surprise. I was set to perform in Cairo and we thought it would be amazing to also shoot the video there. Cairo is such a vibrant creative city full of colors and amazing artists. I am glad we met the right production team that organized the shoot there. We had access to a big variety of great backgrounds and landscapes all in the same location.
Kendra: From Egypt to Africa as a whole, you’ve noted that you want to move away from the exotism of African cultures – does that include the tourism aspects of safaris and whatnot?
EMEL: Of course, as Arab women and African women we’re always subject to the West’s exoticism and clichés ideas of who we should be or supposed to be but never what we really are, we’re often stripped of the many layers that make us so amazing and powerful just to fit this poor vision of us with a sexy gaze and colorful outfits.
Kendra: While some artists will post a note on social media and think they fulfilled an obligation to society, you’re about getting out there. Playing in places like Iraq and Iran. Which the show in Iran, one you could’ve been arrested for. What came first for you, your artistry or your activism – and when did you realize the two must be one and the same?
EMEL: I think I was born with both, being an activist is something I have always had. When I am singing I feel so powerful that it’s impossible for me to think romantically. I must use it as a tool to survive and help people around me.
The two have been closely intertwined in a way that just makes sense from the beginnings till today and somehow, I feel I am right but I know I pay the price all the time, but when I see people’s love and feel I help in some ways to me that’s the most successful an artist can be.
Kendra: Lastly, with ‘MRA’ out on April 19th, what else can fans expect as 2024 rolls on?
EMEL: I hope I can perform as much as possible with ‘‘MRA and other parts of my repertoire in as many places as possible. I am working on my first instrumental album, a score, and three more record ideas, one is a female covers album.
