Fort-de-France, Martinique

January 20, 1984

French neo-soul chanteuse Perle Lama embraced the traditions of American R&B and Caribbean zouk to win critical and commercial success. Born January 20, 1984, in Fort-de-France, Martinique, Lama was just 14 years old when she claimed top honors in the JM Harmony Contest. The prize, a recording contract, yielded her 1999 debut LP, Challenger, with the single "Akwarel la Sé Taw" winning the Best Zouk category at the annual SACEM Awards. The 2001 follow-up, Perle Etc., expanded Lama's musical reach, channeling reggae influences to win two more SACEM prizes, including Best Female Singer. Lama nevertheless spent the next five years out of the spotlight, finally resurfacing in the autumn of 2006 with Mizikasoleil. ~ Jason Ankeny