Manals blend of pop, R&B, hip hop and Arabic music brings a unique, exotic flair to the popular music that will soon dominate the North American charts. The Australian-born singer of Palestinian descent first came to the attention of Canada's urban elite when she guested on two albums by Canadian rap star Choclair. Now, Manal has her own album in the can, produced by some of Canadas finest, including Saukrates, P from Cornerstone Music Productions, Beatardz, E3 and Colin Munroe.
From the sizzling sexuality of Fantasy World, Put It All Over Me, and Dominature, to the more sultry Instant Pleasure and soulful Loving Ways, all the way to the fun, rock groove of Drive Me Crazy and authentic Arabic percussion of Set Me Up, Manal has conceived a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional, multi-musical style that will take urban music to the next level.
I have different sides to me and I love all genres of music, so from ballads to R&B to pop/R&B to hip hop, house, even Arabic music. All of those influences are reflected on my album. If feels right to me, says Manal.
Born in Sydney 26 years ago, one of five girls, Manal has been singing since the age of 4 and performing since 7. Between then and her teens, she displayed her talent at private functions, clubs, on television shows, and at football, soccer and basketball events, even starting to write originals at age 14. While she loved 80s music, she was more drawn to urban music, despite the dominance of pop and rock in Australia. Interestingly, she would start a parallel career course, performing and recording traditional Arabic songs.She admits to having a difficult time launching her contemporary urban music career at home. So I was basically doing everything on my own, but definitely had the support of my family and was given opportunities from a few promoters at different clubs to perform. Id be a regular guest at a 80s funk night and things like that. Its there, but its still growing. So I was basically doing everything on my own, but I had the support of different promoters at different clubs and Id be a regular guest at a 80s funk night and things like that. Its there, but its not supported very much.So Manal was looking to work with a few producers. By coincidence, she met Russell Peters who introduced her to a couple of Canadian producers when she was out one evening.The meeting resulted in Manal appearing on Juno Award-winning rapper Chocolairs 1999 full-length debut, Ice Cold, which eventually went gold in Canada. After the success of that album she was invited back to sing on Choclairs follow-up, 1992s Memoirs Of Blake Savage. She can be heard on both albums.Up until then, the industry had only heard Manal on a five-song demo of her English-language R&B songs and a five-song EP of Arabic-language songs that was released independently, but those with a sixth sense for talent were stepping up to help her. So she followed her passion for music to Atlanta where, she worked with Isaac Hayes Jr. , Kurupt from DPG, Shawn Jay from Fieldmob and Big Gipp from Goodiemob. Then, back to Canada with hopes to start recording her own album, things got rolling when manager P from P Mck Management took hold of the reigns. With Saukrates, Beatardz, Colin, E3, and even P, she began collaborating on the songs that would become her debut album.Everything was co-written Manal emphasizes. Its always been important that my lyrics say something, so as a listener you can imagine yourself wherever the song has taken you. Being involved with the writing was crucial, so I could feel everything I was singing.So was she comfortable singing such sexual songs as Put It All Over Me and Fantasy World? Absolutely. I am because Im 26, she says. I'm not coming into this as an 18 year old, so I consider myself a grown woman. Being sexual is part of who I am so Im comfortable doing tracks like that. Thats not entirely me, but a part of who I am.Another part is her Palestinian background. For Set Me Up, Manal and P hired a tuble player to add authentic Arabic drums to the track. I wanted to incorporate some of my heritage into the music, especially in this industry because a lot of people have it messed up where they think that Indian music is Arabic music so theyll have Indian music being played and in the videos theyll have Arabic belly dancers and it just doesnt make much sense, so Im trying to educate in a way and be like, No, this is what it is.Manal plans on having two co-existing careers one contemporary urban; the other traditional Arabic and feels shell get no backlash from the more conservative of the two. I think the Middle Eastern community anywhere in the world will definitely be supportive, only for the simple fact that theyll have somebody out there representing them authentically and in a good light which I think theyll appreciate, she says.
For now, however, the Arabic community will have to wait until she launches what is sure to be a promising pop career.
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