Mera

Originating from a Spanish father and Persian mother, Mera delivers performances that resonate across borders through her command of five languages—Arabic, Farsi, French, Spanish, and English—along with her dancing and her fusion of Eastern traditions with the energy of contemporary discos. She entered the world in Spain before relocating at age three with her mother to Tehran, Iran, and again at age twelve when the family settled in the United States. During her Connecticut schooling she cultivated passions for both music and theater. In the early 1990s she teamed with fellow vocalist Melissa to create the pop duo M&M, a name derived from the shared initial letter in their first names. Following Melissa’s departure from the industry, Mera pursued independent opportunities, securing minor film roles and television commercial spots in France and Japan. A pivotal encounter with producer-composer Shad Rabanni in 1994 elevated her recording prospects; Rabanni’s blend of Middle Eastern and Latin elements provided an ideal match for her voice. Their partnership yielded the 1996 debut album Mera as well as Sandstorm in 2001. The track “Pol” appeared on the various-artists collection Baila Habibi, Vol. II, while the clip for her single “Albee” (“My Heart”) gained traction in France through heavy rotation on MTV France. Upon issuing her second album during summer 2001, Mera launched a North American tour aimed at extending her reach among devotees of American dance music.