With familial roots in France and North Africa, she sings in French, Hebrew, and Arabic, putting her mother’s poetry to her music.
This mashing together of modernity and tradition, of different cultures and languages, is something Riff believes people in the region can’t help but understand. It’s something the various peoples in the region have in common. But she didn’t fully realize that until she performed in Turkey in 2015.
“When I went to Turkey the first time, it helped me understand Israel much better. There are so many common things. It’s nothing about Judaism…just the fact that we are in the Middle East.”
"I’m quite open-minded and it’s a good thing that Tel Aviv is very open when it comes to culture and music." - Riff Cohen
Demonstrating the great ability of music to transcend borders and politics, there were even fans from Iran who traveled to Turkey to attend Riff’s show.
And yet, nobody said a word about politics, she said. “Even the interviews were really respectful and very artistic. Nothing about politics.”
And yet, nobody said a word about politics, she said. “Even the interviews were really respectful and very artistic. Nothing about politics.”