Early Life of Natacha Atlas

Natacha Atlas is a popular musician who blends musical styles from various cultures into a style that is uniquely her own. Using a blend of hip-hop, reggae, drum 'n bass, Arabic and Western electronic music, she creates a style she calls "cha'abi moderne" (modern popular music). It is Natacha's early life that leads her to create this unique musical blend.

Early life of Natacha Atlas

Natacha Atlas was born on March 20, 1964 in Belgium, where she lived most of her childhood in Laken, a predominantly Moroccan community and suburb of Brussels. Her mother was a British national and a convert to Islam. Her father's birthplace was Jerusalem, and though one of his ancestors was Jewish, he considered himself Egyptian, Moroccan and Palestinian. Natacha's father most identified with his Moroccan ancestry, hence the choice to raise his daughter in a Moroccan community.

After the divorce

Natacha Atlas' parents split when Natacha neared her teen years. Natacha moved with her mother to Northampton, England and remained there until age 24, at which time she returned to Belgium.

Languages

Natacha's early life exposed her to a variety of cultures and languages. As a result, she speaks Arabic, French, English and Spanish, and uses these languages in her adult career. Being fluent in languages from several continents enables Natacha to conduct media interviews in these languages and contributes to her world-wide success.

Natacha Atlas is truly a global citizen, and this shows in her work. Her childhood experiences taught her about many cultures, including musical interests shared by these cultures. These experiences shape Natacha into the eclectic musician she is today.