Natacha Atlas is a Belgian-born, Anglo-Egyptian singer from Schaerbeek/Schaarbeek who works in arabic, arabic pop, ethnic electronica and world music. She begins her career with the world-fusion group Transglobal Underground and later develops a solo career, combining Arabic melodies and instrumentation with Western electronic beats and other influences.

Career

Atlas emerges in the early 1990s and first records with Nation Records before fronting Transglobal Underground. She launches her solo work with Diaspora and continues with a series of solo albums. Her music is described as a fusion of Arabic and Western electronic styles, and she refers to it as “cha'abi moderne”, meaning modern popular music.

Style and influences

Her work draws on Arabic, French, Indian, jazz, drum and bass, and reggae influences. Across her albums, she combines Middle Eastern and Western musical traditions with classical and jazz elements, and her later recordings include more orchestral writing. On Mounqaliba, she works with long-time collaborator Samy Bishai on the arrangements.

Notable releases and recognition

Atlas’s version of “Mon Amie La Rose” becomes a surprise hit in France and reaches number 16 on the French singles chart. Gedida wins a Victoire Award. Her albums Ana Hina and Mounqaliba are noted for expanding her musical approach, with Mounqaliba released on Mazeeka Records. She has also released music for the ballet Les Nuits, which she co-composes with Samy Bishai.

Collaborations and other work

Atlas works with a wide range of artists across different fields, including Peter Gabriel, Sinéad O’Connor, Indigo Girls, Jean-Michel Jarre, Nigel Kennedy, Jocelyn Pook, Danny Elfman, Clint Mansell, David Arnold, Harry Gregson-Williams, Rachel Portman, Nitin Sawhney and Talvin Singh. Her voice also appears on film, television and game soundtracks, including Kingdom of Heaven, The Hulk, Sex and the City 2, Stargate, The Truth About Charlie, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Brick Lane, Sahara, I Can’t Think Straight, La Fille sur le Pont, Whatever Lola Wants, Bin-Jip, Heavenly Sword, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Project Gotham Racing 4.

Other roles

Atlas serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Conference Against Racism.