Mawazine Festival 2016: Diana Haddad promises “superstar” collaboration for new album

Emirati Lebanese singer Diana Haddad (right) performs alongside The Voice Kids contestant Nahila Al Kalai left at the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco. Courtesy Wahid Tajani

Diana Haddad is looking forward to the release of her new album this year – and promised it will feature a collaboration with “a superstar”.

Speaking on the opening day of the Mawazine Festival in Morocco on May 20, the Emirati-Lebanese star confirmed that production work has already begun on her 16th album.

“This is the first time I am telling you: there will be a duet,” she says. “I hope this song will be a hit on the international stage and all I can say about the artist I am singing with is that it is a legend from Europe.”

During her festival performance later that evening, Haddad performed another special duet – towards the end of her set, she invited The Voice Kids contestant Nahila Al Kalai to join her on stage.

Although the 14-year-old Moroccan did not reach the final stages of the inaugural season screened earlier in the year on MBC, her voice was strong enough to attract the attention of Haddad’s crew.

“You know, I didn’t watch a lot of the show,” Haddad says. “But members of my team told me about her and, indeed, she is very talented. I am more than happy to invite her on to the stage.”

The Mawazine Festival continues until May 28. Visit www.festivalmawazine.ma for more details