Izïa Higelin

Izïa Higelin, born on September 24, 1990, and commonly known as Izia, is a multifaceted French rock vocalist, guitarist, and actress. She released her latest album, *Citadelle*, in 2019, showcasing her evolving artistry.

Hailing from a rich artistic lineage in Paris, Izïa is the daughter of renowned French singer Jacques Higelin and dancer Aziza Zakine. Growing up in a family of performers, she was surrounded by music from a young age, with her father introducing her to jazz and British pop. At just seven years old, she began a musical partnership with her father, singing while he played the piano.

Izïa's musical journey took a turn at age 13 when she discovered rock legends like Nirvana and Led Zeppelin, inspiring her to write her first song, "Hey Bitch," which would later appear on her debut album. In 2004, she met Antoine Toustou, bassist of Caravan Palace, and together they initiated her live performance career. By 2006, she had released her first EP and gained significant recognition after opening for Iggy & the Stooges at the Printemps de Bourges festival.

Her self-titled debut album, *Izia*, was released in 2009, achieving a peak position of #31 in the French charts and earning comparisons to Janis Joplin. Following that, she released *So Much Trouble* (2011), *La Vague* (2015), and *Citadelle* (2019). In 2021, she contributed a cover of Metallica's "My Friend of Misery" to *The Metallica Blacklist* charity album.

Izïa has also made her mark in film, debuting in the 2012 movie *Bad Girl*, for which she received a César Award nomination for Most Promising Actress. She has since appeared in *Summertime* (2015) and portrayed