Photo by Be Free Media
If I were going to make the perfect female neo-soul singer, I’d add some Sade, a little Erykah Badu, a pinch of Adele, and a hint of Jill Scott. But since I can’t make this perfect singer from scratch, I’ll settle for the next best thing – Noraay.
Formerly known as Rahma Ali, Noraay is an an artist whose music stands out like a glistening pearl in a sea of recycled, auto-tuned songs. Her engaging voice delivers lyrics that not only move your body, but also stimulate your mind.
“Artists are powerful,” Noraay said. “I believe if you’re putting something out there, it should be something positive, something that makes people think or touches and inspires them.”
With production from Naughty Boy, Drew Horley and Fusion, The British Moroccan chanteuse’s debut album, “From the Darkness to Light,” is filled with smooth soul music that has a slight Middle-Eastern flavor.
“I’ve taken my heritage, my experiences and my perspective on life, mixed them it up and served up something fresh and unique,” she said.
Noraay’s song, ‘Tainted Love” (Right click and choose ‘Save link as…’), combines elements of soul, R&B, and hip-hop and makes your head nodding to a steady groove. But Noraay’s passionate voice is the real star. It’s authentic and filled with longing. You’ll want to keep this song on repeat.
You can connect with Noraay on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.