Name
Hiba Al-Mansouri

Nickname (and why!)
Asma. When I was born my parents were torn between 2 names. My Dad wanted Hiba;  my Mom: Asma. So they had a draw… Hiba won. I picked Asma as my nickname to honour my mom.

Education
I have studied one year of singing at the Conservatoire but am now doing an undergraduate degree in Law at the Lebanese University.

Main instrument played
Voice

Other instruments played
I play keyboard by ear. U can say I’m an autodidact organist.

Type of music played
Classical Arabic repertoire and Arabic electronic music.

The band you play with
Saboun also known as Soap Kills.

Tell us about the last gig you played
I collaborated with Zeid Hamdan; an awesome musician, in Club Social, Beirut. The concert was mixed: Arabic/Oriental and dub. I performed live, two remixed songs.

Tell us what music means to you

I can’t imagine life without it. Music fills me with inspiration, hope and dreams. I can also sing it, feel it and be a part of it. Music is something that can’t be explained… But once a note or two have began... lyric turns into magic.

Tell us about the last album you listened to
I always listen to Asmahan. I like her style, the way she sings. I learned a lot listening to her. She left a heritage that I want to enforce and continue.

Which musician do you most admire and why?
Fairuz is my favourite. Every one of her songs has a story, our story. A typical Lebanese morning can not start without listening to Fairuz. It’s the morning fix for people here, just the right thing to start your day.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know!
Well, I am a believer. I pray in my private time, my lifestyle may reflect something different. I don’t confine myself to set rules of conduct based on stereotypical images of a believer. I worship God alone. It’s my faith; I believe it’s the way it has to be.