Born in Canada and raised in both Cape Town and Vancouver, Zaki Ibrahim's teen years were filled with performances at the Armchair Theatre in Observatory in Cape Town where she developed her self expression while exploring her musical community.

Since then she's collaborated with emcees in Vancouver and South Africa, such as Tumi and the Volume and has collaborated with, amongst others, Philadelphia-based producer and DJ King Britt from the Digable Planets.

Her songs start with a form of free poetry, abstract pieces of writing and playing with words and playing with couplets. Filled with social commentary, her music includes samples and vocal styles from artists like James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone.

So expect the unexpected when she hits the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

How the devil are you?

Devilishly wonderful.

Do you think you are a celebrity?

If we're going with the definition of celebrity being a notable personality, a luminary, someone worth celebrating than hell yes. Everybody's worth celebrating, right?

What's in your pocket?

Right now? [Laughs] Really? Dental floss. We all gotta floss, right?

Pick five words to describe yourself.

Alive. Bright. Sensitive. Tough. Creative.

You meet a nice lady – what's your opening line?

Like, I meet someone I think looks nice? "You look really nice!"

How do you get the party started?

Feeding them always works. Chicken and rice. Hand it out in little baggies at the party - you've got a jam! And lettuce and peas for the vegetarians.

If you did not play tunes what would you do?

I'd be doing about forty different things. Definitely one of them would be cutting hair and I'd also be making films… about hair... and… the other forty things...

What's on your iPod?

I don't own an iPod. I know, it's a shame. My birthday is on 4 June 4! If I had an iPod, right this second I'd be listening to Santogold's 'Creator' or Little Dragon's 'Wink'.

You are having a dinner party, name four famous people you would invite:

Obama, Cool Keith, Stevie Wonder, Dr. Ruth.

Who was the last person you punched?

Well, I once slapped my friend Dmitri really hard for letting me get punched in the face by a stranger, the last time I was in Cape Town.

When was the last time you cried?

I cry sometimes when I'm laughing. I also cry when I watch romantic films. I watch a lot of romantic films and my house mates make me laugh every day, so I'm crying all the time — even now.

Are you superstitious?

No. Well, maybe to some degree, but mostly no.

Meet anyone famous lately?

Wu-Tang on a plane. I didn't recognise them. I kept saying: "I swear we've met somewhere before.."

What are your fears?

Fear itself, and clowns.

Your all-time greatest musician and song?

Oh man, this is hard! Right off the bat: Steve Wonder 'Do I Do?'. The long version where he raps.

Advertising slogan that would describe you?

"Everything is everything...zakalicious and fresh to def!"

Goals and or dreams for 2009?

A world tour with an album that makes people feel. A good adventure. And at least a few jams with baggies of chicken and rice being passed out.

» Zaki Ibrahim plays Zula Bar in Cape Town on 26 December and Jozi's Roka Lounge on 27 December 2008. See her MySpace page for more info.