Nabiha Bensouda is a Danish singer-songwriter who has gained attention after releasing three albums, including a re-issue, and enjoying a number of successful singles on Tracklisten, the official Danish Singles chart as well as on the official airplay chart.
Early life
Bensouda was born and raised in the Vesterbro area of Copenhagen, Denmark, to a family with both Danish and north-west African roots, specifically Gambia, Mali and Morocco. Bensouda is the eldest child of three. Nabiha grew up listening to a variety of genres of music, from her mother's Malian lullabies to disco, soul, reggae, rock, R’n’B, and electronic.
Career
Bensouda's first album was released in Denmark on 1 February 2010 on iTunes and in stores. Bensouda co-wrote all of the songs on the album, together with her London-based Swedish producer/writer, Carl Ryden, who produced the album. Bensouda was, from the beginning, developed and A&R'd by her manager Methe Buhl, who continues to represent her. ”Deep Sleep", the first single from the album peaked as 4 on the Danish Tracklisten Singles Chart and was certified gold. Bensouda has already played a number of large venues, including opening for James Morrison at the Falconer Theatre in Copenhagen and playing at the Danish National Football stadium. Nabiha was a support act for Rasmus Seebach on a sold-out tour. She also toured with James Morrison concert in Copenhagen, Jason Derulo's and Jamie Cullum's German tours. In February 2011 Nabiha toured all over Denmark with marked success. September 2011 Nabiha released the new international edit of her debut album now called More Cracks and included four new songs; "Never Played the Bass", "Sound of My Gun", "Can't Do Anything" and "Trouble" which went into high rotation on Danish radio stations. "Never Played the Bass" was very popular in urban, club and airplay charts and reached number 4 on Tracklisten and was certified gold. It was number one for 4 weeks in the Hungarian Singles Chart. 2012 Nabiha participated in the TV showToppen af Poppen, together with six other established artists, where each one had to do their own interpretation of one of the other participants songs on the show. Nabiha did an interpretation of "Det' passer" and "Vodoo" among others. Since then Nabiha has also toured the US with shows in Los Angeles and New York, Finland, Poland, Germany, Denmark and the UK and has had more than 19 syncs in the States, on shows such as Mobwives, Basketball Wives and Basketball Wives LA, SMASH, SoapTV and many more on the local Danish scene. In 2013, Nabiha released her second album Mind the Gap. It went to number 10 on the album chart and straight to number 1 on the download BIT chart. It was written and produced with Nabiha's long-term music partner, Carl Ryden and Methe Buhl did A&R again. Nabiha and Carl Ryden also collaborated to write Mind the Gap with Mike Hamilton, Michelle Escoffery and Will Simms. In 2014 Nabiha's single "Bang that Drum" was used as the title song for the 2014 European Men's Handball Championship. Nabiha performed at the opening ceremony and at the closing of event broadcast to 200 million people. Nabiha's new single is called "Animals", which peaked at number one on the US dance charts.
Awards and nominations
Since 2010 Nabiha has won or has been nominated at many music award shows. ;Wins
The Best African Achievement Awards: "Artist of the Year"
5 nominations at the Danish Music Awards for "New Name of the Year", "Video of the Year", "Club hit of the year", "Album of the year", "Female artist on the year".
P3 Guld for "New Talent of the Year" and "Listeners Hit of the Year"
Zulu Awards "Female artist of the Year", "Best Female Artist of the Year" and "Hit of the Year"
Danish Deejay Awards "Urban Release of the Year"
GAFFA Awards "Hit of the year" and "Artist of the year"
