Ofra Haza, unforgetable

Ofra Haza grew up singing both secular material and Diwan songs—devotional pieces that cover religious and secular subjects, and are performed on festive occasions.

She began singing in public aged thirteen, was voted “Best Israeli Female Singer” in 1981, and represented her country in the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest. In 1984, reportedly as a tribute to her parents, she reached back to her roots for Yemenite Songs, bringing the Diwan to a modern audience. Contemporary Israeli musicians brought a pop flavor to the songs.

Yemenite Songs duly won Haza international recognition. In late 1987, the distinctive wails of its opening track, “Im Nin’ Alu,” were sampled on a version of M|A|R|R|S’ dance classic “Pump Up the volume” and Coldcut’s remix of “Paid in Full” by hip-hop legends Eric B & Rakim—without Haza’s consent. “We put it on because we thought it’s a nice piece of music,” Coldcut’s Jonathan More protested to NME. “And I think it’ll gain, potentially, a range of listeners which might never otherwise have heard of it.”

This accidental publicity made Haza in demand around the world. Before her death in 2000, she notched up collaborations with admirers ranging from punk godfather Iggy Pop, through goth rock legends The Sisters of Mercy, to house heroes The Black Dog.