Tunisian American Artist Emel Mathlouthi on the Power of Women, Music and Activism
Update: 2025-10-16
Description
In 2011, Emel Mathlouthi stood among the crowd of protesters in Tunis and began singing her song “Kelmti Horra,” which means “My Word Is Free.” Overnight, an anthem of the Arab Spring was born. Emel became known as “the voice of the Tunisian Revolution” and went on to perform all over the world, including at the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Concert, where she sang “Kelmti Horra.” Singing in Arabic, English and Spanish, Emel does not shy away from talking about social issues — from dedicating her songs to Mahsa Amini in Iran to calling for justice in Palestine. She recently came by the Democracy Now! studio to perform and talk about her music.
Comments
In Channel
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States00:00
00:00
x
