Imagine a smooth RnB sound combined with a soulful voice and a Persian influence. You got Tissa Rahim. She is no stranger to the BC music scene, and now she is spreading her wings to the world.
Growing up, Tissa Rahim was raised in a musical family. Her mother and grandfather were Persian singers, and that’s how she was first introduced to Persian music. All her life she lived in different cities, including Vienna and Vancouver, so she was exposed to a diverse musical genre that influenced her music. Rahim loves writing her songs in both English and Farsi, and she often uses her performance to introduce Iranian culture as well as its history and politics.
I can’t even begin to tell you how great Tissa Rahim’s achievements in music are. She received grants from multiple foundations, including Creative BC, SOCAN, and FACTOR. She was one of 24 Magazine’s “Top 24 under 24”. Some of the highlights of Rahim’s music career include a 40-city North American tour, and winning “Best RnB/Soul Recording of the Year” at the YYC music awards in 2023. Rahim is currently on the road, performing on the Canadian West Coast, and she is also a part of the TD Music Artist in Residence at MacEwan Program in Edmonton, Alberta. All those thanks to her bold and unique sound.
Tissa Rahim’s latest single is a ballad called “Cloud 9”, and it is packed with soul from the very first chord to the very last note. Her deep voice combined with jazzy chords on electric piano create this sultry sound. The song talks about the joys of being single while patiently waiting for love to arrive. Produced by Benjamin Millman, this song brings you to a whole other world of feelings.
Another single that she released is called “Googoosh”. Unlike Cloud 9, this song is more up-tempo. Inspired by the rhythm of samba, you can hear the dynamic percussion accompanying the spirited guitar and Rahim’s powerful voice. Once you listen to that clave, you are guaranteed to get up and dance. The title Googoosh came from the famous Iranian singer and actress, and you can definitely hear her influence in Tissa Rahim’s song, especially in her passionate singing style.
Tissa Rahim just gave a solo performance at Portside Live. It’s a very intimate concert just with her and her guitar. If you are interested to watch, you can check out the show below.