SonyMusic Independent Network to Release Canadian Songstress Zaki Ibrahim’s Debut Album

SonyMusic Independent Network to Release Canadian Songstress Zaki Ibrahim’s Debut Album Eclectica (Episodes in Purple) Spring 2009

IBRAHIM HEADS BACK TO THE U.S. HITTING THE STAGE AT SXSW

You Choose (WM, Streaming, 128k, Audio)

Eclectica (Episodes In Purple) Album Video Preview

Spring 2009, the electric and expressive Zaki Ibrahim will release her debut U.S. EP Eclectica (Episodes in Purple), through SonyMusic Independent Network (SIN) distributed by RED. Released in Canada and South Africa in 2008, Eclectica showcases Zaki’s unique style and voice, and catapulted her to Critic’s Pick Lists across the Great North and put her on the International radar. Her electrifying stage performance will once again make its mark stateside as she energizes the stage at SXSW on March 21st at Buffalo Billiards (9:00pm) in Austin, Texas.

On the genre defying Eclectica, Zaki’s mesmerizing voice is melted with messages of respect, positivity and love. She explores these concepts through her lyrics and challenges listeners to expand their minds, leap from their comfort zones and truly embrace the power gained from unifying our community. The majority of the production on the EP is produced by former Bass is Base member Chin Injeti as well as a few other stand out collaborations; “Grow Again” and “You Choose” produced by DJ Khalil (Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Nas) and the King Britt remix of “Money” that has landed her a 2009 JUNO Award nomination for “Best R&B/Soul Recording of The Year”.

British Columbia native, Zaki spent 2008 touring around the World performing to audiences in the U.S., the U.K., South Africa and across Canada. Zaki has graced the stage with many musical influencers including: The Roots, Erykah Badu, Tumi and the Volume and King Britt. Zaki’s stage experience is vast including a stop at Montreal’s Jazz Festival, rockin’ the stage at Cape Town’s historic Armchair Theatre, playing Apollo Theatre in NY, the Black Lilly Festival in Philadelphia, the StarBelly Jam in B.C. and the UK’s ‘Cs For Life Conference with Black Thought.

She recently graced the stages in Birmingham, Manchester and London, with an appearance at famed BBC DJ Benji B’s Deviation Sessions. Zaki also hit south of the border at the Hip Hop Festival in Brooklyn, Joe’s Pub in NYC, and Turntables on the Hudson with King Britt, garnering rave reviews from Brooklyn Bodega, Okayplayer, ink19.com, Trace Magazine and Time Out New York.

With recent plays in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, Zaki attracted the attention of local DJs including KCRW’s Garth Trinidad who describes Zaki’s music as “warm, provocative, and hella international!” After a Fall 2008 tour across Eastern Canada with Bedouin Soundclash, Zaki returned to her second home, South Africa, to play several shows in celebration of her EP release in December. Of Zaki’s live show at Johannesburg’s Party People, Streetsheet commented: “What a performance it was. Just when we thought the muso had outdone herself, she put critics to shame with a tight beat-box. Proving one of Zaki’s tickets to success – versatility.”

Zaki bookended the year with exciting news coming from tastemakers worldwide. Stylista DJ Moni, picked Zaki’s “Grow Again” for her Japanese release of the ‘Friends We Love’ album which hit shelves at the end of 2008. Acclaimed director Charles Officer featured Zaki’s “Oh Love” in a key scene in the February 2009 release of the film Nurse.Fighter.Boy, which was chosen as an “Official Selection of the 2008 Toronto Film Festival”. Now on the eve of her U.S. release, Zaki’s music continues to make waves as she’s been selected in URB Magazine’s upcoming NEXT 100, now in its 15th year, joining the lauded list along with Alumns: The Fugees, TV on the Radio and Kid Sister. Coming Summer 2009 King Britt continues to put the stamp of approval on Zaki’s music and has included her on the anticipated release of the ‘Southport Weekender’ compilation series.