VIDEO: Noora Noor (Somalia/Norway)

NOORA NOOR

Noora Noor

Noora Noor grew up in the United Arab Emirates. Her father was from Somalia and mother from Yemen. They came to Norway as political refugees when Noora was 11 years old. Noora has been noted as Norwegian Queen of Soul since she was signed to Warner due to her exceptional voice. Her main influences are Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Etta James and Aretha Franklin.

Noora’s first album 'Curious' got great response in several territories as the first RnB album released by Warner Norway, and this secured release in main territories like Germany and Japan. It also landed her the award for best female artist at Hit Awards 2000.

Noora was supposed to finish her second album when she got seriously ill with tuberculosis. The album 'All I Am' was finally released 5 years after her debut album. 'All I Am' was produced partly in the UK and partly in the US.

Noora has been collaborating with several artists. She participates and has written a song on the MadCon album which was internationally released by Sony Europe and Reprise US. She has done songs with Mike Scott from the Waterboys, Jojo Pelegrino, Promoe from Sweden and Akhenathon from France, to mention some. She has also performed as Mary Magdalen in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. Noora performed at the Nelson Mandela 46664 concert in Tromsø in 2005. She is also heavily involved in different aid projects.

Her latest album 'Soul Deep' was produced in San Jose, USA with Kid Andersen. Kid went to USA from Norway to play guitar but has done several neo soul and blues releases as a producer. The album takes Noora back to her roots to the sound of Stax and southern soul. It contains partly her own songs and songs by US writers produced in Noora’s own style.

via scandinaviansoul.com

 

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