I’ve always rolled my eyes at comparisons. Maybe I’ve never understood them.

When I read NOW Magazines cover story indicating that Toronto’s Zaki Ibrahim could the next Amy Winehouse, I cringed a bit. Why the comparison to a walking circus? Perhaps it would become clear…how’s that for foreshadowing?

The R&B/Soul/Singer/Songwriter paired her cover story with a gig at the MOD Club last night. It is always something special when a musician creates a fixation in concert not based on stage presence, light shows or gimmicks, but straight talent. Zaki Ibrahim is a compelling artist that reels you in with her stand-out talent. She has an uncanny smoothness to her, making her genre-crossing-style look so very natural. On tracks like Majority World, Zaki journey’s through a mellow soulful story with soft and passionate vocals that will demand many more listens…it’s extremely good. Then on Daylight she adds contemporary vocals over a catchy early 90’s type back beat. Daylight is a standout track.

While watching this artist completely captivate hundreds at the Mod Club, I couldn’t help but keep thinking about those damn comparisons. At one point I thought to myself, “this artist is going to blow up…” Suddenly the comparisons made much more sense. Zaki could (and likely will) become an overnight sensation…much like…(read below)

Seems Ibrahim’s on the verge of blowing up into the “urban” Feist or the next Nelly Furtado – the early, cool Nelly Furtado, not the current pop sellout writhing awkwardly in her videos. Or she could be the next Amy Winehouse, addictions not withstanding. Asked if she’s planning a drug- and alcohol-fuelled meltdown, Ibrahim deadpans, “Fucking totally.” -NOW

Zaki Ibrahim is looking forward to her upcoming release “Every Opposite” which draws on folk, hip-hop, jazz, ambient and electronic elements. The anticipated album will be available in April and help further propel Zaki to the whirlwind of stardom.

Zaki’s next gig will be Hillside Inside on February 2nd in Guelph.

Zaki Ibrahim is on the rise…head to her Myspace page or go and see her live.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged