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Chaima Mahmoud is a rising Tunisian artist and one of the most promising indie-pop voices of her generation. She first gained recognition with the collective song "Ghneya Leek" and later captivated audiences with her soulful covers of hits like "Nassaya" and "Zaama Ennar Tetfashi". Her talent shines through high-profile collaborations, including the project "Rabbi Maaya."
After years of anticipation, Chaima has finally released her debut album, "VOL 1: Intimacy." This project is the result of creative partnerships with talented artists such as Kaso, 4lfa, and Massi. Blending Tunisian and international influences, she sings in both Tunisian and English, reinterpreting songs from Maghreb heritage to introduce them to both local and global audiences. VOL 1: Intimacy marks a significant step in her career, affirming her distinctive style and artistic vision.
As part of Elyssa, Chaima will continue developing the "Intimacy" project, reflecting her dual ambition: celebrating the authenticity of her Tunisian roots while forging connections with international listeners.
Soudeni is a Tunisian artist whose music defies categorization, fusing a wide range of genres. Immersed in music from an early age, she trained at the Sidi Saber Conservatory, mastering Andalusian, Tunisian, and classical Arabic music. Her sound seamlessly blends pop, funk, electronic, disco, world music, new wave, and both mainstream and independent Arabic influences.
Her lyrics shift between Tunisian dialect, various regional Arabic dialects, and literary Arabic, adding a rich cultural and linguistic depth to her compositions. Between 2021 and 2024, she released eight songs that strengthened her presence on the music scene. Collaborating with lyricist Terzy and composer Issam Azouzi, she produced tracks like "Quand," "Fi Mahab Rih," and "Pyromance," showcasing her ability to merge contemporary sounds with Tunisian musical roots.
As part of Elyssa, Soudeni is once again teaming up with Terzy and Issam Azouzi for a new album that fuses Tunisian and modern pop. Drawing inspiration from the oriental and Tunisian music of the 2000s with hints of 80s disco, this project promises a fresh yet nostalgic sound.
Hadra is a musical journey born from collaborations among like-minded musicians, each following their unique path. The project thrives on co-creation, weaving together diverse sounds around Dhirar Kefi's instrumental compositions, enriched by the contributions of the group’s members.
Rooted in Andalusian-Arabic traditions and infused with multicultural influences, Hadra incorporates elements of jazz and improvisation. It is both a celebration of cultural diversity and an exploration of shared musical heritage through an innovative and collective approach.
The ensemble brings together exceptional young musicians: Dhirar Kefi on guitar as the project’s driving force, Radhi Shawali on violin, Aziz Belheni on percussion, Ali Ben Khlifa on bass, and Hatem Frikha on qanun.
As part of Elyssa, Hadra will continue expanding its artistic horizons, building on its debut at the 2023 Journées Musicales de Carthage and reaching new audiences.
Mariem Hamrouni, co-founder of Jathb, is a singer, composer, and costume designer. Growing up in Mahdia, she was drawn to singing and Sufism before exploring diverse ethnic and spiritual music. Passionate about cultural diversity, she performs music from around the world, continuously seeking new sounds from distant traditions.
With Jathb—the musical duo she forms with Mohamed Barsaoui—she merges the wisdom of North African Sufism with sacred sounds from other traditions. Her compositions weave ancestral melodies with spiritual resonances, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of our world. Through masterful use of ethnic sounds and voices, they create a musical journey that celebrates cultural interconnectedness.
As part of Elyssa, Jathb aims to develop volume 2 of their "Willia" project, following the self-produced Volume 1, supported by the B7L9 Arts station. "Willia" is a Tunisian term meaning "saint" and it serves as an invitation to an inner journey, fostering contemplation and a deep connection to ancestral wisdom. The album offers a unique hybrid experience, blending electronic sounds with traditional North African music inspired by Sufism
Nejia is a Tunisian singer and songwriter passionate about conveying emotions through music. While pursuing a medical degree in Tunis, she continues to develop her musical career. Trained at the Kef Conservatory and having collaborated with Tunisia 88 (a program that supports 590 student-led after-school music clubs), she has crafted a distinctive style that blends personal storytelling with engaging melodies.
Nejia released two singles in 2022 and 2024 and has hosted intimate concerts at venues like Mashroom Studio and the B7L9 Arts Station. Her repertoire fuses Tunisian music with modern pop and classical influences. She has performed at the Salle Gaveau in Paris and the Théâtre de l'Opéra in Tunis, steadily gaining recognition among local and international audiences.
As part of Elyssa, Nejia plans to develop a five-song EP exploring the themes of heartbreak and healing. Each song delves into a different stage of a breakup, navigating between scars and new beginnings. It is a journey between illusion and reality, portraying the process of rebuilding after emotional upheaval.
Aymen Goubaa, known as Laiman, is a musician, composer, and sound designer from Gabes in southern Tunisia. With a passion for music and technology from an early age, he pursued a double degree in Multimedia Computing and Musicology, allowing him to merge both disciplines in his compositions and performances.
His music is an eclectic fusion of traditional sounds, jazz, electro, and field recordings, creating a sonic landscape that bridges past and present. Through his work, he explores diverse narratives and cultural influences, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary Tunisian music.
As part of Elyssa, Aymen is developing "Laiman Ymazzek," an immersive performance that transports audiences through different worlds—each with its unique aesthetic, soundscapes, choreography, and musical identity.
Ahmed Litaiem, born in 1996, is a nay player, composer and performer from Tunisia.
A gifted prodigy, he was captivated by the mystical sounds of the nay at the age of 11, when he first discovered it at the National Conservatory in Tunis. From then on, he devoted himself to the study of classical oriental music, before turning his attention to other styles such as North African music, world music and, above all, jazz.
His distinctive repertoire, nourished by Arabic lyricism and jazz instrumentation, blends composed pieces with improvisation. In 2015, he won 'Best Solo Project' award at the Journées Musicales de Carthage, followed by the prize for 'Best solo performer’ in 2017. His musical journey began in 2009 as a performer and composer in various groups, including the Wajdi Riahi Quartet, Wassim Benrhouma's Darimba and Mohamed Ali Kammoun's 24 Parfums. In 2014, he joined both the symphony and philharmonic orchestras of Tunis, touring extensively both locally and internationally. That same year, his growing interest in nay’s musical heritage led him to undertake a tour across all regions of Tunisia.
He has taken part in numerous jazz festivals and collaborated with international musicians. In 2016, he formed the Ahmed Litaiem Quartet and joined the Mediterranean Youth Orchestra in 2022.
As part of Elyssa, he is developing an innovative, hybrid musical project, Pyschedelic Winds, which explores the boundaries between acoustic music and electronic sounds. The group is composed of four talented musicians: Ahmed Litaiem ; Ayman Boujlida on drums, providing dynamic grooves and a haunting rhythm; Wassim Benrhouma on bass, providing a solid, harmonic base; and Ahmed Ajabi on saxophone, adding smooth melodies and inspired solos. Together, they create music that combines the raw energy of acoustic instruments with the sophistication of electronic loops and effects.
