IN CONVERSATION WITH NORA FATEHI
interview by JANA LETONJA
Nora Fatehi, the multi-talented singer, dancer, and actress, has just released her new single ‘Snake, with Jason Derulo. Nora’s music is a celebration of diversity and cultural fusion, embodying her vibrant persona and infectious charisma. Performing at the closing ceremony of FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar added a new dimension to her career, where she captivated fans with her impeccable dance moves, singing ‘Light the Sky’, the FIFA World Cup anthem.
Earlier this year you released your new single ‘Nora.’ Tell us about the inspiration behind this song.
The inspiration behind the single is my story and journey as a diverse multicultural artist. It’s a celebration of my identity as Nora Fatehi and the 3 cultures - Canada, Morocco and India - that make up who I am today. The track ‘Nora’ pays homage to all 3 worlds that have moulded me into a unique artist with a different, unusual journey to success.
photo credit Mohamed Saad
‘Nora’ is described as a celebration of diversity and cultural fusion. How did you bring elements of your Moroccan, Canadian, and Indian heritage into the song?
We used music, dance, costume and locations to celebrate the fusion of 3 cultures. The beauty of the visuals of the video is that everything is symbolic with a meaning. We used costumes in different parts of the video to celebrate my urban Canadian upbringing, while also playing with Moroccan traditional yet modern looks using caftans and amazing jewelry. In one part, we used an Indian Maharashtrian outfit to signify my Bollywood background and to celebrate Maharashtra, the place where my career started. We used dance to represent the different backgrounds by incorporating hip-hop, Bollywood, belly dance and traditional Moroccan chaabi dance all in one video. The transitions were so seamless and it allowed me to show my versatility as an artist, the pure representation of who I am today.
The track merges Moroccan rhythms with contemporary beats. Can you tell us more about the process of blending these musical styles?
This was something I was looking to do for a while. I feel ‘Nora’ is a perfect blend of culture and pop. The process with the producer and writer was so exciting. Just seeing the track come to life step by step, while at the same time trying to crack the balance between giving it a touch of the Moroccan world but still maintaining a global sound was a task. But once we figured it out, it was exhilarating. Every detail of the music production is magic. The flute, the amazing vocals, the krakeb, the Gnawa instruments, the drums, the claps, the bass. It really is insane.
Why is it so important for you to celebrate and share your multicultural identity through your art?
It’s important for me to celebrate and share because it is these cultures that make up who I am today. It is the reason why I am different from many other artists. These cultures have influenced my art, my talent, and my persona. They have helped me be more relatable to a diverse audience. It’s allowed me to have variety in my art, to be more versatile and not one dimensional. It’s exciting, there’s always something new to discover within these cultures. I owe so much to my Canadian roots, my Moroccan upbringing and my Indian/Bollywood background, and the least I can do is celebrate and educate people about having a multidimensional identity. This is why my fans love me today and there are so many people around the world that can relate and see themselves in me whenever we celebrate these different cultures proudly.
photo credit Verene Sutter
How have your Moroccan, Canadian, and Indian backgrounds influenced your approach to music and dance?
It has influenced my approach in my performance through music and dance in a beautiful way. I’m able to give variety in my artistic journey. I’m so grateful for that and I feel lucky that I can go into different worlds depending on the genre of music and dance. It can be Afro dance with Afro beat music as I’ve done many times in Bollywood, or it can be belly dance with touches of Arabic melodies within Hindi music. Or, it can be full out hip hop with a fusion of Bollywood. The sky's the limit and that’s what makes my job as an artist fun and exciting every time.
What role do you think artists have in shaping the perception of cultural diversity on a global scale?
Definitely a huge role. The more we celebrate different cultures and provide platforms for representation, the more inclusive, diverse and beautiful the world of entertainment will be. When artist are proud of their roots, backgrounds and cultures, it sets an example to the world that we are here and we will not be ashamed of our history. Through music, dance and art we teach the world self-love, tolerance, and identity positivity.
Who are some of the artists or creators who inspire you to continue pushing the boundaries of cultural representation in music?
The icons and legends of course. Shakira for incorporating Latin rhythms, Colombian and Arab influences into her art, Beyonce for bringing African American history, culture and identity into her art , AR Rahman for blending classical Indian music with world music influences, Rosalia as a trailblazer in the fusion of flamenco and urban pop. There are many artists pushing the boundaries of cultural representation today, so the list is long, but it’s an exciting time to be in the music world for sure.
Your performances at events like the FIFA World Cup 2022 and Expo 2020 Dubai have put you on a global stage. What has been your most memorable experience of your career so far?
I have so many memorable experiences in my journey and many milestones I. would only dream of when I was back home in Toronto. I’m always so grateful for every opportunity that I’ve been blessed with as some of these opportunities seemed unattainable. My most memorable experience would be performing the FIFA anthem ‘Light the Sky’ at the closing ceremony in Qatar for the World Cup. This was undeniably the biggest milestone yet in my career and a turning point for me as an artist. I’m never going to forget that moment on the field performing to billions of people worldwide. I came from nothing, and I want my story and milestones to serve as inspiration to many girls and boys who see themselves in me.
What’s next for you after ‘Nora’? Are there any exciting new projects or collaborations on the horizon?
We just released a collaboration with Ckay for his album ‘Emotions’. The song is called ‘It’s true’. And, of course, my single ‘Snake’ featuring Jason Derulo, which is out now! This is another project that involves the fusion of cultural representation and mainstream pop. Something that is going to be very exotic.