Morocco’s “Wild Heart” joins Sony Music Entertainment Middle East
Label beats a host of others to sign one of regions sharpest young singer songwriters
Debut single and music video coming soo
Sony Music Entertainment Middle East today announced the signing of talented songwriter and fierce Urban Pop songstress MANAL. Hailing from Marrakech, Morocco, Manal is a 24-year-old hybrid of the urban Arabic music space and the protégé of Cilvaringz, producer and member of the American rap legends Wu-Tang Clan. Using art and music as modes of authentic self-expression, Manal is set to be one of the artists to look out for in 2018.
Sony Music signed Manal ahead of a host of other regional labels, and will exclusively represent and promote the artist over a multi-year recording contract. The signing was driven by the label’s management and booking team in Beirut – set up in early 2017 to extend label operations from the head office in Dubai – and represents a further step forward in developing the careers of talent across the MENA Region.
Speaking on the Manal signing, Mike Fairburn, General Manager of Sony Music Entertainment Middle East commented: ‘We are delighted Manal has joined the Sony Music family where the artistic expression and creativity of our artists remains our number one priority. She is the real deal, with a clear vision and great team around her. Look out. Our Moroccan ‘Wild Heart’ is coming soon”.
He continued ‘We made a decision to expand our team to Beirut last year, to make sure our artists could draw on and benefit from specialist music executives in all areas. This has been a great success and the team’s continued dedication and relentless commitment to young talent in the region has now brought Manal to the Sony Music family.’
With her debut single planned for release early 2018 and follow up material already recorded and shot, it plans to be a great year for the young talent. Speaking of her delight at signing with Sony Music Entertainment Middle East, Manal said “I definitely feel at home with Sony Music. They have shown much care for the direction of my music and career. There’s nothing more comforting for an artist to know that his or her team, from the label to management, producers and songwriters, got their back”.
Last year alone, Sony Music’s local roster of artists including Nathalie Saba, The5, Omar Kamal and Laith Abou Jouda have headlined major festivals in Lebanon, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and Jordan, appeared on a host of TV and Radio shows, picked up major deals with brands, and amassed millions of adoring fans across regional streaming platforms and media sites. These stellar young Arabic stars were joined on the roster by exciting western talent, including Trinidad & Tobago star Kalpee, Dubai-based US singer songwriter Stephon Lamar, and the UAE’s #1 electronic duo Hollaphonic, who’s debut EP with the label – Spaceship – was launched as part of their performance supporting PINK at F1 Abu Dhabi in November 2017.
Manal debut music video is scheduled for release in February. Stay tuned to Sony Music and Manal social pages for news.
Follow MANAL:
Instagram: @manalbenchlikha
Facebook: @Manaltheartist
Twitter: @ManalBk_BK
YouTube: @Manalmusic
