Samira Said

Born and raised in Rabat, Morocco; Samira began singing at an early age. In addition to being gifted with a sensitive, beautiful voice; she always sensed a strong connection between her and singing. Music was her own way of expressing herself, and she knew quite well that it was what she wanted. Encouraged by her family, Samira went on to participating in new talents' shows. The first time the Moroccan public saw her in the T.V. show "Mawaheb", they knew that the shy little girl was going to be a star, and she did. In a short time, Samira Bensaid, as Moroccans like to call her, became one of the leading names in the music scene in Morocco. She had a decent repertoire: "Maghlouba", "Wa'ady", etc.. However, Samira was not satisfied with what she had accomplished. Her ambition and dreams were bigger than anything. She remembered, her idol as well as friend, Abdul halim Hafedh's advice to move to Egypt and expand her career. In the early eighties, Samira moved to Egypt and recorded a song "Al hob Elli Ana Aichah", composed by Mohamad Sultan. She, then, went on to recording with big names in the music scene in Egypt. She sang for Baligh Hamdi, Helmi Bakr, Mohamad Al-Mouji, etc... It was "Alemnah Al hob", sung in Layali Television in 1983, that opened the doors of fame for Samira, and made her well known in Egypt. Her new responsibility to maintain her success obliged to chose her songs carefully. She started working with well known composers and lyricists . This cooperation produced songs that are considered marks in the contemporary Arabic music: "Asmar malak", "Malak moch zay aweydak", "Sayidati anissati sadati", "Ech gab li gab", "El Leila dee", "Min ghir sabab", "Amrak ajib", "Al gani Baad Yomeen", "Mosh Hatnazel Anak", "Alf Leila wal Leila", and many more.. Samira managed to remain one of the top singers in the Arabic world by totally dedicating herself to her career, and always looking for new aspects and new subjects that make her unique in her style. She is also always looking for a variety of music flavors and styles: Tarab, Rai, Jazz, Slow, etc.. S She is only the only artist to represent Morocco in the Eurovision Song Contest so far.