There are few brand new artists who can boast among their fans Elton John, Joss Stone and Patti Labelle, but then Marseille born ATEF is no ordinary artist and his is no ordinary story.
Born in southern France to Tunisian parents ATEF has been a musician since childhood and spent some time fronting the group MSource, his sweet and unique vocals becoming a trademark sound for the band. But it was a spell performing at a club in Monaco in 2005 that was to change everything. One night in June 2005 ATEF was singing at the club where one of the diners happened to be society billionaire Walid Juffali. This was to be the moment that would alter the path of the young man's life for ever.
Walid had been considering the launch of a music and film company and it was the discovery of this extraordinary singer that would firm this resolve. Within two months he had funded studio time for ATEF to record a demo and in August 2005 ATEF attended a party hosted by Walid’s good friend Elton John, an event that would further propel ATEF toward his dreamed of musical success. The party was Elton’s legendary charity ball ‘White Tie and Tiaras’. That night Nile Rogers & Chic were on stage fronted by Patti Labelle and Joss Stone performing for 600 of the world’s richest and most famous. In the middle of the set ATEF, at the invitation of Elton, was called onto the stage by Joss Stone to duet with the legendary Patti Labelle.
The star-studded audience responded to ATEF’s performance with rapturous applause and Patti, there and then, offered him a job singing on her world tour. Walid’s initial instincts about ATEF’s talent had been confirmed in grand style. Graciously declining Patti’s generous offer ATEF relocated to London where Walid swiftly put wheels in motion to build his new career. In just one year an album of material has been written and recorded and will be ready for release in the new year following a second single.
The first single from ATEF is entitled “Unconditionally†is a very personal piece of music for both the artist and his mentor. The lyrics for the song were originally a poem written by Walid for his daughter on the day of her wedding. The sincere sentiment of a father’s love for his daughter inspired ATEF to put the words to music, and magic happened. “Unconditionally†is first-rate adult pop with an eastern flavour, showcasing ATEF’s truly unique vocal talent with an uncompromisingly catchy pop chorus. The themes running through all of ATEF’s songs are of peace, unity and optimism and these go a long way to describing the man himself. He remains “thrilled and scared to death!â€â€™ by the extraordinary turn his life has taken in the last year, but is committed to creating music that has a positive message of love and reconciliation.
And in a time when more wars are raging in the world than ever before in history, that really has to be a good thing…
