Zara Moussa

Zara Moussa (born c. 1980) is a Nigerien singer and rapper, performing under the name ZM.

A native of Niamey, Moussa first came to public notice in 2002 when she won a hip-hop contest in her home city^[1] which had been organized by the French embassy.^[2] Subsequently she became the first female rapper from West Africa to sign a record deal. The resulting album was titled Kirari, from a Hausa word used to call people to battle. Her songs address social and political issues such as women's rights, domestic abuse,^[1] and matters of importance to public health; in this regard she is similar to other Nigerien rappers, such as Safiath.^[3] Many are performed in the French language, but some are in Zarma and some in Hausa.^[4] Her style blends hip-hop and other African influences.^[5] Moussa is married, and describes her husband, who has written some of her songs and assists in producing her recordings, as her biggest support in a country where music is often not seen as a worthwhile investment, and whose hip-hop scene is dominated by men. She has appeared at WOMEX as well.^[2]