Emel Mathlouthi is a brilliant singer and songwriter with an intoxicating, ethereal voice, who became an international sensation as her music inspired fellow Tunisians fighting for their freedom during the Arab Spring.

Tunisian govern banned her music from the country’s radio as her lyrics criticized the regime of then-President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. So in 2008, she fled for Paris and continued to sing defiant songs and post them on social media. A video of her singing her song Kelmti Horra (my word is free) in front of 10,000 Parisians went viral. She lived between France and Tunisia, and in 2012, returned to Tunis and sang "Kelmti Horra," and, a couple hours later it was (former) President Ben Ali who would flee the country. Her album also titled Kelmti Horra made its debut in 2012 and received critical acclaim. She has performed all over the world, including a solo performance at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony.

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