Music show: Franco-Egyptian-Iranian singer KUKII dreams of performing in a 'free' Iran
Issued on:
13:44 min
In this edition of our arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with Franco-Egyptian-Iranian singer KUKII about her new EP "Rare Baby". The artist been part of France's avant-garde music scene for more than a decade, using the stage name Lafawndah. A recent trip to Cairo was more than just a homecoming; it was a transformative experience and the creation of a new musical identity – that of KUKII. "Rare Baby" is inspired by music from North Africa and the Middle East, mixed with her trademark blend of emboldened pop. The EP also feels like a battle cry or manifesto, and KUKII is no stranger to using her platform to call out what is happening in Gaza – as well as in Iran, where she grew up.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Euronews
16-07-2025
- Euronews
Belgian music festival under pressure over Franco-Israeli billing
Les Francofolies de Spa, a staple of Belgium's summer music festival season since 1994, is at the heart of a growing controversy mere days before it starts. The four-day event, which aims to promote francophone artists, kicks off tomorrow and one planned set on Friday is fueling concern - that of Franco-Israeli singer Amir, a former contestant on The Voice and France's Eurovision representative in 2016. His presence on the billing has angered several other artists who are also due to perform at the festival, who have expressed their unease at Amir's perceived pro-Israel stance. Artists like Lovelace, Nicou, CHOSE and Mado have signed a statement denouncing the singer's presence: 'As artists scheduled to perform at the Francofolies de Spa, we strongly disagree with the decision to programme Amir.' As for Franco-Swiss singer Yoa, she has cancelled her participation (also originally set for Friday) altogether, citing her 'social, political and humanist" convictions which dictate that she should not 'share the stage with an artist who does not recognise the ongoing genocide in Palestine, and who has taken part in events organised in support of the Israeli army.' Indeed, Amir took part in an event in Hebron, an Israeli settlement that is illegal under international law, in 2014. Artists have also referred to his attendance at an evening in support of IDF soldiers, organised by Yoni Chetboun - an MP for the far-right Habayit Hayehudi (The Jewish Home) party. In the wake of Yoa walking away from the festival, two other artists announced that they too were withdrawing from the Francofolies de Spa: Brussels DJ RaQL and activist DJ LibraRomea. Amir's label has denounced "an outpouring of anti-Semitic hatred" and posted its support for the singer on Instagram. As for the organisers of the Francofolies de Spa, interviewed by public service broadcaster for the French-speaking Community of Belgium RTBF, they said they had received "numerous messages calling for Amir to be deprogrammed." "In a dramatic context, it is understandable that citizens and artists should question us about the commitments of an artist on the bill", said the organisers. "We are outraged by the ongoing tragedy in Gaza and deeply shocked by the unacceptable suffering inflicted on the civilian population." However, the festival seems to be maintaining Amir's concert, as they are unable to 'morally assess the entirety of his personal trajectory or access the innermost depths of his convictions'. This comes at a time when tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are regularly overshadowing European music festivals. For instance, this year's Glastonbury festival in the UK courted controversy over sets by Kneecap and Bob Vylan. This led to the BBC (the festival's official broadcaster) facing pressure from the UK government – and ultimately leading to the BBC's director of music having to step down over the scandal. Les Francofolies de Spatakes place in Spa, Belgium, from 17 - 20 July 2025.
Euronews
15-07-2025
- Euronews
Superman kissing scenes cut by India's censor board sparks backlash
Indian audiences watching the latest Superman film were left confused when the action abruptly skipped ahead - not once, but twice - just as the Man of Steel (David Corenswet) leaned in to kiss Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had cut the kissing scenes, including a cinematic mid-air floating kiss in the film's final moments, branding them 'overly sensual' and unfit for Indian cinemas. The decision has reignited debate around censorship, hypocrisy, and outdated moral codes in the country. Critics have slammed the CBFC for routinely allowing films filled with graphic violence, sexual assault, and misogyny - often in movies granted a "U" (universal) rating - while censoring something as tame as a consensual kiss in a PG-13 Hollywood comic book movie. "CBFC would allow horrific scenes of violence and sexual assault in a U certified film that kids are freely allowed to watch, but won't allow consensual kissing in a U/A comic book movie that kids should watch under adult supervision" wrote one user on X. Another said: 'The "morality" of censorship aside, the way they've managed to mangle the flow is atrocious. Awful editing job all around by the CBFC.' The CBFC has increasingly come under fire for what critics describe as politically motivated and inconsistent decisions. Last year, it blocked The Apprentice - a biopic of Donald Trump - after its director, Ali Abbasi, refused to comply with demanded cuts. 'I ran away from Iranian censorship only to meet corporate censorship of the US. Now India. Really?' Abbasi said. 'Censorship seems to be an epidemic at the moment.' The board has also made headlines for forcing other bizarre and overly cautious edits, such as digitally replacing a middle-finger emoji with a clenched fist in the Brad Pitt-led F1 movie, and cutting several nude scenes from Christopher Nolan's Oscar-winning Oppenheimer. Meanwhile, viewers have called out the board's glaring double standards. While a kiss between Superman and Lois Lane is deemed too provocative, Bollywood films like Animal - which was widely criticised for glorifying misogyny and toxic masculinity - are released with ease. Similarly, controversial films such as The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story, both accused of promoting Islamophobic narratives and distorting history, were greenlit with little resistance and even received support from political figures. xxx In our review of Superman, we said: "By ditching not only the doom and gloom of the Snyderverse but also the tiresome need for an umpteenth backstory, Gunn starts in medias res to better embrace the spirit of the seemingly bygone era of campy comic books. And it works. This fast-paced adventure looks and feels like a comic book transposed onto the big screen, with all the unapologetic strangeness, colourful palette and intentional corniness that befits a 'naive but well-intentioned" boyscout who will take the time to save a squirrel in peril." Read our full review here.
France 24
14-07-2025
- France 24
British musician Kae Tempest on his new album 'Self Titled'
Culture 11:10 Issued on: 11:10 min From the show FRANCE 24's Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with British musician, poet, playwright and author Kae Tempest. He is back with "Self Titled", his most personal album to date, which among other topics talks about his recent transition.
