Seven female artists who are shaping contemporary Mediterranean folk music
- Sara López González
- Jan 29
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 3
The traditional rhythms of the Mediterranean basin are undergoing a moment of intense reinvention thanks to female voices that connect their cultural roots with contemporary global languages. From the purity of Spanish flamenco to fusions of R&B with modern Arabic music, these seven artists show how the ancestral and the contemporary can dialogue to redefine the idea of folk music in the 21st century.
Spain – Ángeles Toledano
Ángeles Toledano is a flamenco singer from Jaén who has burst onto the contemporary flamenco scene with her album Sangre Sucia, where she approaches traditional forms such as soleás, bulerías, and seguiriyas from a current perspective that incorporates the sensibilities and concerns of her generation such as female voice and sisterhood, without losing respect for tradition. Her work has been received as one of the most promising proposals in today’s flamenco scene and has taken her music to major stages, with critics valuing her as a bridge between past and present.
Her project lies in reinterpreting traditional flamenco by connecting it with current aesthetics and contemporary themes, exploring new sonic textures that bring the genre closer to younger audiences without giving up its historical authenticity.
Italy – LA NIÑA
Carola Moccia, known artistically as LA NIÑA, is a Neapolitan singer-songwriter who draws from the folklore and musical traditions of Naples to build a personal musical language in which traditional instruments coexist with strong, emotional storytelling. Her song Figlia d’ ’a Tempesta became a viral phenomenon, reaching the top of viral charts and spreading across social media, while also receiving recognition within the Italian music industry.
In Furèsta, her second album, LA NIÑA explores themes of identity and gender through a musical language that blends popular roots with contemporary energy, fusing Mediterranean tradition with modern production and lyrics of strong narrative impact.
Egypt – Felukah
Sara Elmessiry, known as Felukah, is an Egyptian artist based in New York whose work blends hip hop, neo-soul, R&B, and poetry with influences from Egyptian culture and folklore. Her stage name refers to the felucca, traditional boats of the Nile, symbolizing her attempt to navigate between cultures and musical languages.
Her music reconfigures Arab cultural traditions within global forms such as hip hop and soul, presenting a personal narrative that simultaneously engages with the cultural identity of North Africa and the Middle East.
Morocco – Manal
Manal Benchlikha, known simply as Manal, is one of the most influential voices in contemporary Moroccan pop and R&B. Since her debut in 2015, she has moved through pop, rap, and R&B, incorporating modern elements that resonate both within Morocco and internationally.
Her artistic project incorporates cultural elements from the Maghreb and urban rhythms that reflect today’s Moroccan music scene, connecting local melodies with a global pop and urban sensibility.
Palestine – Zeyne
Zein Sajdi, known as Zeyne, is a Palestinian-Jordanian singer, songwriter, and producer who blends traditional Arabic music with R&B, soul, jazz, and contemporary elements. Her style has been described as eclectic, and her music addresses personal and emotional themes through a narrative that transcends cultural borders.
Zeyne has built a career in which the fusion of cultural identity and global styles redefines modern Arabic pop, with songs that combine tradition and sonic exploration in a cosmopolitan context.
Portugal – Ana Moura
Ana Moura is one of the most internationally recognized Portuguese fadistas, and although her career began within a traditional genre such as fado, she has carried that tradition toward contemporary forms.
Her album Casa Guilhermina demonstrated her ability to preserve the essence of fado while projecting it into new sonic territories, positioning her as a reference who connects generations and diverse audiences.
Greece – Melina
Melina Vlachos is a Greek-French artist whose self-titled debut EP, including the single Kano Traka, released in 2025, draws inspiration from Greek and Balkan musical traditions while presenting them through a modern pop sensibility that refreshes those cultural elements.
Her artistic proposal shows how traditional roots can nourish new musical forms, integrating Mediterranean melodies and rhythms with a contemporary aesthetic that appeals to both local and international audiences.
