Born: Jan 20, 1984 in Fort-de-France, Martinique, French neo-soul chanteuse Perle Lama embraced the traditions of American R&B and Caribbean zouk to win critical and commercial success. Born January 20, 1984, in Fort-de-France, Martinique, Lama was just 14 years old when she claimed top honors in the JM Harmony Contest. The prize, a recording contract, yielded her 1999 debut LP, Challenger, with the single "Akwarel la Sé Taw" winning the Best Zouk category at the annual SACEM Awards.