Rouba

Rouba a.k.a Roobz, Rouba Zeidan is a soul singer / songwriter born in Lebanon and raised in the United Arab Emirates. Her first single “Don’t Go Home”, released in July 2012, was named a “club-friendly slab of soulful pop” by RollingStone Middle East Magazine. Though a dance-oriented start, Rouba’s soulful roots remain the base of her debut album “Mama’s Back” set for release in 2013.

Formative years

Rouba was born in Zahle, Lebanon in May 1975 and grew up with father Maurice Zeidan – a businessman and mother Salwa Husseini – an artist and curator, and owner of the Salwa Zeidan Gallery based in Abu Dhabi. Her parents’ interest in music exposed Rouba, from a very early age, to a large western music library that included the likes Marvin Gaye, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Janis Joplin, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder, Georges Benson, Roberta Flack and so many more from that era.

She began singing at the age of 7 and would record herself singing various English songs she had memorized on her own. Throughout her childhood, her parents encouraged Rouba to pursue her love for music by learning how to play the piano and the guitar. Her family lived in between Lebanon and the UAE where they were mainly based for several years, constantly attempting to move back to Lebanon before having to evacuate due to the continuous political instability of the country.

As an overweight teenager, Rouba had major self-esteem issues that made her turn to music for comfort. She enrolled at the Universite St. Esprit in Kaslik Lebanon where she took music theory and classical vocal training classes. Her first live performance was at the age of 16 when she took to the stage with a local band to improvise to a twelve-bar blues jam. Dubbed “Tracy Chapman” of Lebanon, she continued to showcase her soulful voice around Beirut performing jazz and blues classics at live music pubs around the city. She also made a living recording voice overs and jingles for TV commercials. In the early 90S she participated in a talent show called “Toute La Ville Chante et Danse” directed by Bassem Christo on LBC’s C33 TV channel where she made it through to the finals and won second place in the female singer category.

Her musical journey led to renowned Lebanese jazz composer and playwright Ziad Rahbani – son of Fayrouz and Assi Rahbani – with whom she performed for several years.

Career Diversion

While exploring music, Rouba also pursued an advertising diploma at Notre Dame University in Lebanon. She later utilized her studies to venture into a career in public relations that lasted for more than a decade and entirely diverted her from music. She moved to Dubai in the UAE where she focused on climbing the corporate ladder that earned her several senior roles and finally a regional position with Ogilvy & Mather a multinational agency.

After abandoning music for more than a decade to pursue a successful career in public relations and marketing, Rouba finally revived her deeply rooted love for music and began performing live again at landmarks such as Music Hall, Jazz Lounge, Blue Note, Bar Louis, SNATCH and Bourbon Street in Amsterdam.

Music Debut

As a Lebanese singer performing English jazz and blues covers, Rouba’s chances of landing a record deal were close to impossible and so she set off to produce her own album with the help of LA-based music producer Joe Kennedy who works with the likes of Macy Gray. The move prompted the the production of a dance single entitled “Don’t Go Home” which was remixed by Ryeland Allison, known for his work on Madascar and Ironman. The single was released in July 2012 at Skybar club in Lebanon.

Rouba made her debut on the big stage in 2012 at Abu Dhabi’s Beats on the Beach as part of the Formula One Yasalam program opening for Missy Elliot, CEE LO GREEN and an audience of some 60,000 people.

An outspoken liberal, Rouba was the first Arab performer to ever dedicate a song to a US president - she released her tribute to Barack Obama in December 2012 in which she called for unity and peace amongst people of all races.

Today, she is finally following her childhood dream of being a singer and songwriter and is preparing to make her official debut with her album entitled “Mama’s Back” marking her return to music as a mother and the lessons she learned over the years.

Alongside her original songs, she performs covers by artists like Amy Winehouse, Chakakhan, Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Stevie Wonder and many others - all performed with her own music flavor and with the support of Atlanta-native musical director and drummer Stacy Brown.

Musical Influences

Her influences stem from artists like Nina Simone, Mary J. Blidge, India Arie, Maxwell, Jill Scott, Lauren Hill, Erykah Badu, the Brand New Heavies, Anita Baker and Rachel Ferelle.