Rafiya is A Real Life Hannah Montana!

June 9, 2010 - PRLog -- She spends her days in classrooms and her nights entertaining music lovers. If you guessed Hannah Montana, you’d be close – but try again (sorry Miley). Rafiya is a New Jersey high school teacher by day and a Philadelphia soul sensation by night. She digitally released two singles from her “Amazing” debut last fall and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. “Amazing” is set for a commercial release on June 29th and the project will ensure that word about this gem spreads beyond Philadelphia’s borders.

Juggling two careers has its challenges to say the least, but Rafiya is as passionate about education as she is about music, and believes that the fulfillment they bring trumps the sleepless nights that come with the territory. Her path to this non-traditional professional life was equally unique.

Rafiya was born in Los Angeles to Congolese parents: a diplomat father and a sociologist mother. Due to her father’s career, she traveled extensively during her formative years: living in Congo (Democratic Republic), the Cape Verde Islands, Benin, Senegal, Guinea, Barbados and Ivory Coast. She moved to Philadelphia in 2001 to attend Temple University where she double majored in Sociology and Spanish, and graduated in 2006 with honors.

While attending school full-time in the aforementioned nations, Rafiya found time to work with local artists, absorbing their techniques and wisdom all the while enriching her sound. She has worked with Oscar Kidjo, recorded in Youssou N’Dour’s studio, recorded a duet with Mozambican star Marllen, and toured France and North Africa with French rap star, Mokobe. Every passing collaboration, studio session and performance strengthened her ever-present belief that she would be spending her life making music; making people smile, dance and think.

“Amazing” was written and recorded in Paris, Philadelphia, New York and Maputo over a two-year period, and each city played an important role in shaping its sound. The project’s sonic diversity is a testament to Rafiya’s transcultural influences and its transcendental appeal is proof that music truly is a universal language. Through songs about love, faith, heartbreak and hope, Rafiya wants to share her positive and optimistic perspective on life - a gift she deems Amazing. Word of mouth about her brand of afro-soul is traveling fast and it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world catches up to this rising star – just don’t tell her students.

Rafiya writes and sings about the human experience in French and English but regardless of your native tongue, her passion translates itself in the melody.

Parlez-vous Rafiya?