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Palestinian culture is being celebrated in the new song and video “Deira” by artists Saint Levant and MC Abdul, released in the wake of Levant’s recent signing with Universal Arabic Music (UAM).
Levant is a singer, rapper, and songwriter of Palestinian, Algerian, French, and Serbian descent. MC Abdul is a 15-year-old rapper from Gaza who rose to worldwide fame with his 2021 viral hit “Palestine.”
“Deira” (meaning “Kasbah” or “Old City”), performed in Sha’abi, traditional Arabic music originating from Algiers, is a video that focuses on everyday life, food, fashion, sports, etc. It is a homage to. A look at the Middle East through a dreamy, nostalgic lens.
“Deira is the name of the hotel that my father Rashid, an architect, built with my mother when they moved to Gaza in 2000,” Levant said in a statement. “He built this hotel out of mud because importing cement was not possible at the time. Located on the beach, this hotel consisted of 22 rooms and was one of the most beautiful hotels in Gaza. It was a true architectural marvel.On July 16, 2014, four children playing ball in front of the hotel were killed by an Israeli rocket, and most recently in a bombing three months earlier. The hotel was completely destroyed.”
MC Abdul, who left Gaza for the United States a month before the war began, wrote, “Big dreams, heavy nights/Praying for my family to live/Imagining trying to fly without wings.” The song acknowledges the current conflict with the lyrics, “Please try it.” /But the caged bird promises to sing. ”
Levant’s catalog includes numerous singles and two EPs, including 2023 From Gaza with love. The Los Angeles-based artist recently signed to Universal Arabic Music (UAM) through a partnership with Republic Records and UMG, which was founded by The Weeknd’s manager. Wasim “Monkey” Sliby In 2021.
The Middle East has recently become a growing region for the music industry, with major labels such as Universal setting up labels and local offices. Spotify launched in the Arab world in 2018, and Abu Dhabi-based streaming company Anghami received a $5 million investment from the venture capital arm of Saudi media company SRMG last August. (SRMG was recently released billboard arabic.) EMPIRE, a San Francisco-based distribution company with operations in the Middle East/North Africa, provides the Spotify service. Suher Nafal I plan to direct it in 2021.
The 2022 IFPI report notes that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region recorded the third highest growth rate in the world in 2022, with revenue from recorded music increasing by 23.8%. Streaming took the bulk of the market, and its revenue accounted for his 95.5% share.
However, the war in Gaza has hindered that opportunity for many Palestinian artists, and the increased attention surrounding the conflict has not resulted in significant streaming benefits for Palestinian artists. However, MC Abdul’s global streaming numbers skyrocketed in the weeks following the start of the war last fall.