How Languages Connect Us Music Talk - Issue 1, Vol. 1

REMENKIMI

How Languages Connect Us

Music is a language that speaks to everyone. Whether it speaks to a group, an individual or simply two people sitting down talking about a lyric that struck them, it connects us. No matter what language we may speak in, you do not necessarily need to understand every single lyric to feel the emotions of voice and instrumentation. I sat down with EgyptianCanadian artist, REMENKIMI, to talk about how she utilizes languages in her music to bring people together.

Nina: When did you start making music?

REMENKIMI: I started making music in 2020, my first song was released in March 2020.

Nina: You sing in four different languages! It is absolutely incredible. What languages do you sing in and why?

REMENKIMI: Thank you! I usually sing in English, Arabic, French and occasionally add a little Spanish. These are the languages that I grew up speaking. I was lucky to have traveled a lot as a child and was enrolled in French schools, hence the multilingualism.

Nina: You have built a brand around creating music that doesn’t need translation to be enjoyed. This is a beautiful message and completely true. Can you talk to us about why you believe this is important?

REMENKIMI: In this time and age, we are seeing more & more international artists connect different cultures and genres together through music. I feel like as humans we have much more in common than we are led to think. Music is just one of the ways that these connections can be made. As an example, I recently released a fully Egyptian Arabic song called “Tafassil” and noticed that the top 5 countries who are streaming it the most are not Arabic speaking countries. Music that comes from the heart reaches the heart.. no translation needed!

Nina: Your song ‘Cours’ was nominated for Ottawa Awards 2021 'Song of the Year'. Congratulations! How did it feel? What was going through your mind? And how does this influence you to keep sharing your multilingual music?

REMENKIMI: My French & Egyptian Arabic song “Cours” was my very first song release! To see it become nominated at an award show in Canada was absolutely incredible. I took it as an omen and kept on releasing more music, and trusting my gut and intuition when it comes to song choices.

Nina: How would you describe the musical environment of Ottawa, Canada? How is it in relation to multilingual music as well?

REMENKIMI: I started my music journey around the time that the pandemic started so connecting with other creatives in the city was very difficult at first. With time, things started opening up again, and performance opportunities allowed me to meet and connect with many creatives in the city. Not only was the environment incredibly welcoming, but I have also learned a lot from these other experienced artists who were very generous with their advice & support.

I can also say that because Ottawa is a bilingual city (French & English), I felt very encouraged when performing my multilingual music.

Nina: Could you talk to us about your process when writing a song in more than one language? How do you choose which language to sing in?

REMENKIMI: I always start with composing the melody, and then the melody dictates the language. It is not premeditated, I just go with the flow.

Nina: What can creatives and the audience takeaway from listening and making multilingual music?

REMENKIMI: Audiences can definitely be exposed to new genres, new flows and new ways of connecting cultures and melodies through art, and all in one song! As for creatives, I can confidently say that multilingual/multi-genre music really pushes the creative limits and allows your artistic curiosity to take you to new undiscovered musical territory!

Follow REMENKIMI: @remen.kimi

Follow Music Talk: @musictalkwithninag

Follow Nina G: @bossgirlnina

About: REMENKIMI is an independent up & coming Egyptian-Canadian artist based in Ottawa, Canada. After graduating medical school, she decided to take a leap of faith and pursue her dream of becoming a professional music artist. Being able to release music in English, Arabic, French & Spanish, REMENKIMI has propelled North Africa’s music forward while blending different genres together; creating her own unique signature Urban sound. Although new to the music industry, REMENKIMI has already left her mark; she amassed multiple nominations at the Ottawa Awards, performed at the Canadian Elite Basketball League Championship Final and also performed at multiple major festivals in Toronto, Ottawa & Cairo. REMENKIMIi’s tracks have also gained international attention in over 147 countries appearing on Spotify’s editorial playlist Arab X.