Kenyan Alisha Popat is an internationally renowned singer/songwriter and one of Africa’s top musical pioneers, thanks to her African inspired sounds mixed with soul and expression.
Her musical style can be describes as a contemporary African indie fusion. She started singing at the age of 7 for family and friends, but took her first step in becoming a professional musician while working at a theatrical dining venue part time during her Journalism studies in South Africa.
In 2010 Alisha’s big break was singing on the Fifa World Cup stage with some of the biggest names in the music industry. She says when asked about the experience:
“Singing a song for Africa about Africa in front of 80,000 united individuals was the best experience of my life, I realized my place in this world, what I could offer people around me and what I was born to do. On that stage I was home.”
She recently moved back home to Kenya and has gathered much support through YouTube. Some of her best collaborations are with household names such as Lindsay Stirling and Peter Hollens, with one of her latest songs entitled “We Found Love” which went viral and now has over 11 million hits.
She sings at events all over the world and is always looking for new inspiration and musicians to collaborate with. Her debut album “This Is Me” will be released at the end of the year, following a World Cancer Awareness campaign that she is leading by using music and artists from around the world to change the cancer stigma and inspire positivity.
Thank you to Simba Corp, our main sponsor for bringing us all together to create this song and video. Thank you to Atua-enkop Africa (http://www.atua-enkop.com/) and the Tribe Hotel (http://www.tribe-hotel.com/) for hosting all the artists and believing in the process and end goal and special thanks needs to go out to the artists the crew.
This project would not be what it is if two of the most passionate and inspiring musicians’ did not come onboard. Thank you Peter Hollens (www.youtube.com/peterhollens) and Zolani Mahola (www.youtube.com/freshlygroundsa)for making magic.
Kudos goes to Justin Purefoy & Ash Jenkins for directing and producing the video and Ash Jenkins for this unreal edit. I would also like to thank Wanyoike Kimani @SQRDOWNSTUDIOS and Ulopa Ngoma for their production of the song. A special thanks to Tahir Popat for facilitating the project with input from Dennis Muganwa
Thank you Moipe Quartet, Teto Tutuma and Aaron Colverson for the backing vocals and instrumentation.
And last but certainly not least, a huge thank you to Leonard Cohen, artist of the original musical composition.
This is a cover of Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli’s The Prayer. It was inspired by the beauty and magic of Kenya. The Westgate terrorist attacks here a few months ago shocked the whole country, we mourned for people we had never met and have now started picking up the pieces together. This song is a prayer for our wonderful nation and the world over.
It was such a privilege to work with such a great artist Diego from Verona and a wonderful team. Thank you Moses Njoroge and Jaaz Odongo for the music production and to Joan Poggio for filming and editing this incredible video depicting the magic of this incredibly country. Thank you also to She She Baharini for hosting us in Diani- everything was shot on their doorstep.
Merry Christmas everyone and we wish you a wonderful festive season!
The official video for my new song ‘OH LET THE RAIN’. An Africa Rise Up production, filmed by Joan Poggio , directed by Ash Jivu, Joan Poggio and myself, edited by Ash Jivu of Africa Rise Up TV and produced by Philip Makanda of Ogopa Deejays-backing vocals and guitar by Fauz Noir. This was such a collaborated effort and without the passion, effort and input of each and every person involved, this video and song would not have been possible.
Africa – You’re A Star – featuring Loyiso, Salim and Sulaiman Merchant, Eric Wainaina and Alisha
Production – Tough Sunday Productions
Post Production – Pepperoni Pictures
Feel free to follow Alisha Popat on Facebook.
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