Born to a traditional and conservative family, Aatabou began to be recognized as a talented Berber and Arabic singer when she turned 17. The release of a bootleg recording featuring her vocals was the cause of a great deal of family tension and disapproval, with the result that Aatabu moved from Khemisset to Casablanca. In Casablanca, she began to work with producer Hajj Houssein, who helped to bring her work to wider attention. Aatabu quickly found a foothold as a performer, gaining a great deal of attention for unconventional songwriting that speaks to the tension and dissension in Moroccan society, with her music having a strong appeal for those who, like Aatabu, have made the transition from the strict values of the rural area to the faster, less stringent environment of the city. ~ Steven McDonald