Taninna, French Kabyle Artist
Taninna is probably the first Kabyle singer born and raised in Paris. Graduated from high school with a major in philosophy and mathematics, she studies linguistics in the University of Paris VIII-Vincennes.At that time, she discovers the environment of associations and falls in love with Kabyle song. Although she was writing since she was a young girl (essentially in French), she comes back to her roots by spending time with (then presiding) the Berber cultural association of Paris VIII. For six years, she’s doing a double degree course of linguistics (in Paris VIII) and African studies with a major in Berber at the INALCO of Paris.During those years, she makes her first steps in song. Several concerts, radio shows and cultural demonstrations build up her career since 1995. A first album that she self-produces comes out in 1997 (Tamazight, TAN9701).
This product achieves an honorable success, particularly in Kabylia. That experience gives her a bigger artistic maturity.Between 1999 and 2002, Taninna takes a long musical break, rich in emotions (while she keeps composing), allowing her to settle down professionnally and to turn the page of her academic years. She works several years for the Ministry of National Education before succeeding successfully the dean’s exam.Armed with this victory, she decides to record a second album that she was preparing serenely for several years. She acts on this second opus as a writer, composer and singer. And this second album tinged with emotions and feelings is an ensemble of enhanced sensitivity, varied thematics. Sensitivity wonderfully felt by the arranger hired for the project. "SYSTEME is a magician, says the artist, he’s got that artistic sensitivity that only a few people have. He knew how to colour my words and embellish with harmonies all my melodies. He’s authentic."Taninna is a sensitive artist, and she’s not hiding it. She’s also a rebel and does not hesitate to denounce women’s rights detractors, break taboos about love feelings. 7e ciel - 7th Heaven (TAN032) is the very evocative title of this second album which graphics were entrusted to Olivier Duval of Éditions KREACORE (designer whose talent is no longer to demonstrate as he takes in consideration the desires of every singer that appeals to him) for such a dreamlike cover...7e ciel : that’s eleven melodies with varied orchestrations and thematics that illustrate the universe of this phoenix of Kabylia (Taninna in Kabyle is this famous mythical bird that dies and is reborn from its own ashes to perpetuate his mental reflection). Tan’ - her nickname from the beginning - sings about emotion, love in all of its aspects, from pain to joy, but also human relationships and exile.This rise up to the seventh heaven full of originality and sensitivity embellishes the group of avant-gardist, women’s voices that world music had to offer.
Fan from the beginning of self-production, she knows that her desire of artistic autonomy has a price: working hard to make a name for herself.Right now, she’s working on her third album which is set to come out at the end of the year 2007.In charge of the artistic direction, the excellent "Aya-Systeme team", again, Tan’ having reserved to herself the great pleasure of the writing and interpretation.See you soon!
