Emel Mathlouthi: The Voice of Resistance | In Conversation with The Amargi
In this exclusive conversation, Tunisian artist Emel Mathlouthi, whose voice became the anthem of the Arab Spring, speaks with Rebaz Majeed of The Amargi about music, resistance, and freedom. From her viral protest song “Kelmti Horra” to her recent performance in Amed (Diyarbakir) during Newroz, Mathlouthi reflects on censorship, artistic responsibility, and the unifying power of song.
Watch the full interview to hear Emel discuss:
• The evolution of her sound and political consciousness
• Why she believes Kurdish music is “one of the most beautiful in the world”
• The pressures she faced before performing in Amed
• How music can bridge struggles from Tunisia to Kurdistan
Rebaz Majeed
Rebaz Majeed is a Kurdish journalist, researcher, and photographer based in Berlin whose work bridges conflict reporting, academic inquiry, and digital fact-checking. He has covered politics, migration, and security in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region for Voice of America, and later worked with Lead Stories as TikTok’s fact-checking partner for the MENA region, specializing in misinformation and digital verification. His research has explored gender, violence, and political dynamics in Iraq. A polyglot journalist, Rebaz holds a BA in International Studies from AUIS and an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East from Freie Universität Berlin.
