Local Spotlight

Creating original and mesmerizing audio-visual live shows, appearing on albums with famous DJs, and receiving high praise from rock n’ roll royalty – this only begins to describe the achievements of three Winnipeg-based artists making musical waves rippling far beyond our city’s borders. Here’s a look at Rayannah, Faouzia, and Kelly Bado.

Rayannah

Rayannah’s live performances are as much of a stunning stage spectacle as they are a delightful feast of electro-soul music and sound. Her trademark musical technique is incorporating voice, breath, synth, and percussion into her work with the use of loop pedals.

She’s toured across Canada, the U.S, and Europe, where she’ll return for another tour at the end of the month.

You can catch Rayannah at the West End Cultural Centre March 16 to celebrate the release of her debut full-length album, Nos repaires (Our Haunts).

Faouzia

English/French/Arabic singer-songwriter Faouzia has an impressive resume for an artist still in her teens.

Originally from Morocco and raised in Carman, Man., she’s achieved international recognition: in 2015, she won Song of the Year, the Audience Award, and the Grand Prix at La Chicane Electrique.

That same year she won the International Songwriting Competition, beating out 16,000 entries from 137 countries.

In 2018, Faouzia was featured on chart-topping DJ/producer David Guetta’s album 7 on the song “Battle.”

Kelly Bado

Originally from Ivory Coast, Kelly Bado is a soul/world/pop singer-songwriter who creates inspiring music in both English and French.

Bado has been wowing not only Winnipeg audiences, but earning very high-profile fans as well. During her run up to the quarter finals on La Voix (the Québécois equivalent of The Voice), her duet rendition of '“Let it Be” with fellow competitor Yama Laurent drew praise from Sir Paul McCartney.

Kelly has been performing at showcases in Canada, the Netherlands, France, and the U.S.

Her sophomore album is due out later this year.