Hiba Tawaji
Grand, theatrical pop that bridges the gap between Broadway drama and Arabic tradition. A four-octave voice that moves effortlessly from opera to intimate jazz.
Grand, theatrical pop that bridges the gap between Broadway drama and Arabic tradition. A four-octave voice that moves effortlessly from opera to intimate jazz.
Hiba Tawaji creates music that feels like a gala event. Her sound is defined by massive orchestral arrangements, soaring melodies, and a vocal technique that is as precise as it is powerful. It is the sound of high-stakes emotion, where every song feels like the climax of a cinematic epic or a grand stage musical. Whether she is singing in Arabic, French, or English, there is a consistent sense of elegance and technical mastery that commands your full attention.
What truly sets her apart is the collaboration with Oussama Rahbani, which infuses her pop sensibility with the rich, theatrical heritage of the Rahbani family. This isn't just radio pop; it is a fusion of Levantine soul with Western classical and jazz structures. You will hear whistle-register high notes that rival the greatest divas, backed by lush string sections and complex, sophisticated harmonies that elevate the listening experience beyond simple hooks.
Start with the album '30' to hear the full breadth of her versatility. It showcases her ability to pivot from jazz-inflected ballads to high-energy orchestral pop. If you want to hear her at her most iconic, look for her live performances from Byblos, where the ancient setting perfectly matches the timeless, monumental quality of her voice.
Hiba Michel Tawaji (Arabic: هبة ميشال طوجي; born 10 December 1987) is a Lebanese singer, actress, and director. Since 2008, she has established herself in the Lebanese and Arab music scene with her 4-octave vocal range. She started her career playing the main female role in Rahbani musicals. She also participated in the fourth season of France's version of The Voice, in which she was coached by Mika and reached the semi-finals. After The Voice, she signed with Mercury Records in 2015. On 30 May 2016, it was announced Tawaji would join the cast of Notre-Dame de Paris as Esmeralda in the revival of the musical. She has since toured with the cast and performed internationally. Tawaji has also pursued her Arabic career with four studio albums produced by Oussama Rahbani and numerous projects on the Lebanese and Arab levels, including in Egypt, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia, where she was the first woman to sing on stage following an easing of restrictions on women's rights. Tawaji is now signed to Universal Music Arabia, in partnership with Universal Music Group and Republic Records.
Shares vocal jazz, contemporary r&b, opera (subgenres); studio polished, orchestral arrangement, live recording (production style)
Shares traditional pop, vocal jazz, contemporary r&b (subgenres); studio polished, orchestral arrangement, hi fi (production style)
Shares vocal jazz, contemporary r&b, chamber pop (subgenres); studio polished, orchestral arrangement, hi fi (production style)
Shares vocal jazz, traditional pop, chamber pop (subgenres); orchestral arrangement, studio polished, hi fi (production style)
Shares traditional pop, vocal jazz, chamber pop (subgenres); orchestral arrangement, studio polished, hi fi (production style)
Shares orchestral arrangement, studio polished, hi fi (production style); triumphant, romantic, soulful (moods)
Shares vocal jazz, traditional pop, contemporary r&b (subgenres); orchestral arrangement, studio polished, live recording (production style)
Shares traditional pop, vocal jazz, chamber pop (subgenres); orchestral arrangement, studio polished, hi fi (production style)
Shares orchestral arrangement, studio polished, maximalist (production style); chamber pop, traditional pop, contemporary r&b (subgenres)
Shares orchestral arrangement, studio polished, hi fi (production style); triumphant, romantic, soulful (moods)
Shares opera, soprano, operatic, violin (subgenre)
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