Quartertones | Music from the Arab World

Balancing architecture, shifting geography, and over a decade of music-making, Lebanese band Adonis reflects on their complex relationship with Beirut's persistent instability. Anthony and Joey discuss their lyric-first songwriting approach and the vulnerability their tracks evoke in fans. They break down their musical influences, from classic Arabic pop and Melhem Barakat to Western rock. Rejecting globalization, they advocate for local cultural exportation and staying grounded in native Arabic dialects.

00:00 Introduction
06:02 Architectural Mindsets in Songwriting
08:08 Subverting Environment in Early Track Writing
12:47 Prioritizing Lyrics in the Composition Process
16:20 Pop Heritage and Lebanese Musical Influences
23:39 Live Performances and Vulnerability
28:44 Visual Evolution and Expression Post-2020
33:53 Songwriting Mechanics and Homesickness
42:05 Balancing Personal Life and Band Identity
46:54 Cross-Cultural Collaborations
54:00 Resisting Globalization Through Native Arabic Dialects

Adonis (Arabic: أدونيس) is a Lebanese indie rock band formed in 2011 in Beirut by Anthony Khoury (vocals, keyboards) and Joey Abou Jawdeh (guitar), who met studying architecture together at university. The band is named after the town of Adonis in Mount Lebanon, near the Adonis River. Later joined by Nicola Hakim (drums) and Gio Fikany (bass), the quartet has released seven studio albums — Daw El Baladiyyi (2011), Men Shou Bteshki Beirut (2013), Nour (2017), 12 Sa'a (2019), A'da (2021), Hadis El Layl (2022), and Wedyan (2025) — and is recognized as a pioneer of Arabic indie-rock alongside Mashrou' Leila, Autostrad, and Aziz Maraka. Written in the Lebanese dialect and drawing on themes of belonging, identity, and longing, songs like Yeb'a Enna and Al Khafif have become anthems across the Arabic-speaking world. The band has headlined the Baalbeck International Festival, the Carthage International Festival, and the Amman Roman Amphitheatre, and has collaborated with UNICEF, Netflix, and Brazil's Globo TV. Anthony Khoury also writes and produces for Lebanese artists including Hiba Tawaji and Dana Hourani.

Connect with Adonis Band 👉 https://www.instagram.com/adonisband/

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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Breaking conventional boxes is at the core of Palestinian musician, composer, and singer-songwriter Huda Asfour’s artistic identity. This conversation delves into her rich heritage and a multifaceted career that spans from biomedical engineering to intimate live performances with her electro-acoustic oud and a looper pedal. She shares her perspective on transforming classical Arabic music repertoire to reflect raw, contemporary experiences while processing the deep emotional impacts of conflict. From discussing the complexities of cultural representation to her latest solo tour project, Naqous, she highlights the ultimate importance of fighting built-in music industry structures through community connection.

00:00 Introduction

01:04 Navigating Identity

08:12 Contrasting Dynamics of a Musical Upbringing

10:25 Pedagogical Pivots

13:10 Interdisciplinary Curiosity & Creative Problem Solving

15:20 Borderless Spaces

22:01 Seeking Social Connection

26:47 The Traps of Iconic Cultural Symbolism

31:12 Injecting Raw Textures into Traditional Frameworks

35:33 Cultural Metaphors & Breaking Preserved Formats

46:19 Minimalistic Gear & Finding Intimate Realities

54:02 Alternative Spaces & Fighting Industry Limits

Huda Asfour is a Palestinian musician, composer, improviser, and singer-songwriter based in New York City. She comes from a musical family and began formal training in music in Tunis at the age of 13. In 1996, she joined the National Conservatory of Music in Gaza. She was mentored by Khaled Jubran at the Edward Said Music Conservatory and by qanoun player Said Rajab in Cairo. In 2004, she co-founded Jehar band with Tamer Abu Ghazaleh, a musical experiment which molded Arabic folk and Levantine classical repertoire for young Palestinians emerging from the siege of the Second Intifada. She is also a biomedical engineer and social entrepreneur. Her active projects include CounterImprov, Ballando il Vento (a collaboration with Italian classical musicians), and the Huda & Kamyar project with Iranian setar player Kamyar Arsani. She has performed at the Library of Congress and the Kennedy Center, and has been profiled in Al-Ahram Online and DCist.

Connect with Huda Asfour 👉 https://www.instagram.com/hudasmusic/

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Starting at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music at age seven, Palestinian composer and multi-instrumentalist Wanees Zarour discusses his musical journey, he details how he fell in love with string instruments like the violin and the buzuq. The conversation explores his original music group, East Loop, and how he blends microtonal music and Arabic tradition into a jazz framework. Additionally, he shares insights on serving as the director for the Middle East Music Ensemble at the University of Chicago and the experience of Arab musicians in the diaspora.

00:00 Introduction

01:41 The Early Days at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music

05:41 Cultural History & Musical Underground in Palestine

08:19 Childhood Musical Influences and Repertoire

09:47 Discovering the Buzuq

13:49 Introducing East Loop & the Evolution of Silwan

21:40 Exploring Arabic Musical Structures & Form Variations

26:16 Chicago’s Arabic Music Scene

28:25 Breaking Down the Iraqi Georgina Rhythm in Festival

33:02 Challenging Jazz Boundaries with Microtonal Instruments

37:18 The Middle East Music Ensemble

40:23 The Tribute to Ziad Rahbani

42:37 Music as Expression vs. Entertainment

50:24 Connection & Separation within the Arab Diaspora Scene

Wanees Zarour is an award-winning Palestinian-American composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist steeped in the traditions of maqam and jazz. Born in Ramallah, Palestine, he began his musical training at age seven at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, where he studied Western classical violin and buzuq. He moved to the United States at 16. He is a faculty member at the University of Chicago and has directed the University of Chicago's Middle East Music Ensemble since 2010, growing it into an 85-piece orchestra serving as a national cornerstone for MENA music in America. He also co-directs the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, a 14-piece rotating ensemble of world music masters, with guitarist Fareed Haque. He leads East Loop, a jazz septet fusing Arabic maqam and jazz. His 2026 album Silwan (East Loop) was reviewed by DownBeat Magazine (March 2026), All About Jazz, and The Jazz Word. He received the 3Arts Award in 2024. He is a faculty member at the Arabic Music Retreat and GLOMUS, and holds masterclasses at universities across the US.

Connect with Wanees Zarour 👉 https://instagram.com/wanees_zarour

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A deep exploration of the shifting relationship between sound, politics, and the visceral search for home with Hamed Sinno. The discussion moves from their childhood in Beirut, where they internalize a sense of being an outsider, to their time at the American University of Beirut (AUB), where they began to understand the expectations of a generation raised for export. Reflecting on the intense collaborative magic of their era with the band Mashrou’ Leila, they share the unique challenges of a musical collective coming up against governments and their eventual transition toward solitary and experimental sound work. The conversation also tackles the limits of representational politics, with Sinno explaining why they have shifted their focus toward direct political organizing outside of the arts. They examine the power of the listener, describing how an audience's perspective can transform a song into a political symbol far beyond the artist's original intent. Finally, they reflect on the recurring experience of political heartbreak, the difficulty of maintaining hope and the enduring, complicated pull of returning home to Lebanon.

0:00 Introduction

2:05 Finding Refuge: Distance and Identity in Transit

6:52 The Limits of Representation and the Function of Art

9:00 Bullying and the Seattle Grunge Escape

11:23 The Classed Bubble of Beirut

13:06 The Search for an Authentic Voice

15:58 Injecting Politics into Popular Discourse

18:22 The Magic of Collaborative Music

20:42 The Radical Intimacy of a Collective

23:54 Negotiating Worst-Case Scenarios

26:15 The Political Act of the "We"

27:31 Coming Up Against Governments: When Sound Meets Power

30:24 Solo vs. Collective

32:12 Surviving Political and Personal Heartbreak

35:13 Political Reality in an Undemocratic Time

38:45 Organizing Outside the Window Dressing

41:40 Popular Culture as a Strategic Tool

43:18 No-Input Mixing: Feedback Loops as a Physical Experience

44:40 Student Organizing and the Rhetoric of Palestine

49:23 Taxpayer Complicity and the Pull of Home

51:00 The Dream of Returning

53:50 Disassociating from the Beast

56:32 How a Cover Becomes a Revolution

58:42 Becoming a Meme: Intention vs. Cultural Resonance

59:40 Current Musical Resonance

Hamed Sinno is a writer, musician and activist born and raised in Beirut, and currently living in New York. They have an MA in Digital Musics from Dartmouth College, and a BFA from the Department of Architecture and Design at the American University in Beirut, where they founded and fronted Lebanese indie band, Mashrou Leila, until the group disbanded in 2022. Their song-writing leverages rhetoric, poetry, and social justice to weaponize popular culture. With a fatwa and multiple bans under their belt, Sinno moved to the US, and is currently exploring narratives of estrangement, while centering their research on vocality, and voice synthesis as sites of political negotiation.

Connect with Hamed Sinno 👉 https://instagram.com/hamed.sinno

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Zeyne joins Quartertones after her performance at XP Air and discusses her journey from being too shy to share her voice to becoming an artist who finds empowerment in letting her art out. She reflects on the influences of her family who instilled in her a love for music, Arab culture, and the Palestinian cause. Growing up taking vocal and piano lessons Zeyne shares that she only recently started writing lyrics, having previously focused on composing. The conversation delves into the unique power and cultural significance of Dabke, which she considers underrated. She asserts that her generation of Arab artists is more daring and edgy in delivering messages, marking a new wave in Arabic music that is honest and empowering. She speaks about the importance of reclaiming the Arab narrative and using art as a form of social justice. Finally, she shares the story behind her song "Bali" from her album Awda, a track that was intensely personal and helped unlock a creative block.

This episode was recorded on December 4, 2025

Explore XP Air 👉 https://www.instagram.com/xpmusicfutures/

0:00 Introduction

1:35 Sharing Her Voice Pre-COVID

3:27 How An Early Producer Encouraged Her To Write Her Own Music

5:17 From Composer to Lyricist: Finding Her Voice in Writing

6:57 Why She Hid Her Singing Talent Growing Up

7:31 Vocal Lessons as a Holy Place

8:45 Parental Influences: Music, Culture, and the Palestinian Cause

11:22 Dabke: Underrated, Essential, and Rich in Culture

13:42 Reclaiming Our Narrative

14:39 Navigating the Music Industry's Reputation

16:56 Family Support

17:55 Camaraderie and the New Wave of Arab Artists

19:49 The Story Behind "Bali" and the Awda Album

Zeyne first burst onto the music scene in early 2021 with her debut single "Minni Ana" and two years later, her body of work has garnered over 48 million streams. As an ambassador for Equal Arabia, her influence extends beyond music, lighting up Times Square and championing important causes through her artistry and public presence. Her groundbreaking debut on the renowned COLORS show with "Ma Bansak" marked her as the first female artist from the Levant to appear on this global platform. In 2025, she went on The Golden-Hour Run, which included a landmark performance at OffLimits Festival in the UAE, as well as two major stadium appearances as a special guest on Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour in Qatar and Bahrain with a total number of attendees of 65,000.

Connect with Zeyne 👉 https://instagram.com/zeyne

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tunisian artist Soudeni joins Quartertones recorded live at XP Air and talks about her musical journey and the influences that shaped her sound. She introduces the idea of Harissa Pop – her playful way of describing music rooted in Tunisian culture but open to contemporary sounds. The touches on nostalgia, identity, and the challenges Tunisian artists face when trying to be heard beyond their borders.

This episode was recorded on December 4, 2025

Explore XP Air 👉 https://www.instagram.com/xpmusicfutures/

00:00 Introduction

01:06 The Absence of Tunisia in the Music Scene

01:35 The Fairuz of Tunisia: Lotfi Bouchnak

02:30 Nostalgia as a Creative Tool in Music

03:00 Soudeni’s Musical Journey and Influences

09:30 Introducing Harissa Pop

10:56 The Feeling of Forgetting Tunisia

11:35 Breaking the Algorithm with Tunisian Music

16:00 Two Different Artists

17:30 The Story Behind the Name “Soudeni”

Soudeni is a Tunisian musical artist known for her unique musical style often described as "Harissa Pop". She is recognized for blending traditional Tunisian and Arabic music with contemporary genres like disco, funk, electronica, and new wave.

Connect with Soudeni 👉 https://instagram.com/soudenimusic

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Duo Kazdoura, composed of Syrian vocalist Leen Hamo and Lebanese multi-instrumentalist John Abou Chacra, who have just won the JUNO Award for Global Music Album of the Year, join Quartertones at XP Air and discuss their award-winning music, which blends Arabic lyrics and maqam with psychedelic rock, jazz, funk, and soul. The conversation covers their beginnings at a Beirut explosion fundraiser, their creative process of fusing their diverse musical backgrounds, the evolution of their unique sound through their singles like "Wain" and "Tijara", how they navigate audience expectations about sounding "Arab", and the supportive environment they've experienced as Arab artists in Canada. They also touch upon the nuances of maintaining the integrity of maqam in fusion music, and their upcoming album and performance in Egypt.

This episode was recorded on December 6, 2025

Explore XP Air 👉 https://www.instagram.com/xpmusicfutures/

0:00 Introduction

1:17 The Kazdoura Duo, Their Music & Backgrounds

3:31 Meeting at a Beirut Explosion Fundraiser

5:53 Laying the Groundwork: Educating on Arabic Music

8:00 Finding the Kazdoura Sound With the First Song: "Wain"

12:21 The Evolution of Their Sound: Comparing "Wain" and "Tijara"

14:25 Artistic Inspirations and Musical Influences

16:04 Resisting Audience Pressure to Sound a Specific Way

17:21 On Recognition and Being an Arab Artist in Canada

19:22 The Duos Creative Disagreements and Navigating Maqam Integrity

23:38 Listening to the Song "Hiba"

25:57 Adapting Set Lists for Different Venues

27:06 Upcoming Album and Connecting With the Middle East

Kazdoura—meaning “to stroll” in Levantine Arabic—captures the spirit of movement, discovery, and joyful connection. Founded in Toronto by Syrian vocalist Leen Hamo and Lebanese multi-instrumentalist John Abou Chacra, the project began as a musical experiment and evolved into one of Canada’s most vibrant acts blending Arabic heritage with modern global sounds. Kazdoura’s debut album Ghoyoum, released in 2025, has surpassed one million streams, resonating with audiences across continents. The album’s success led to nominations for Best New Artist at the 2025 Canadian Folk Music Awards and Best Album of the Year at the Ontario Folk Music Awards, where they also took home Best Music Video of the Year.

Connect with Kazdoura 👉 https://instagram.com/kazdouramusic

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Music group TootArd discusses their unique blend of Arabic scales, reggae, hip-hop, metal, and synth music in this conversation at Quoz Arts Fest 2026. The artists explore their musical evolution, from growing up on Arabic classical music to experimenting with Western genres and instruments, and how their roots remain a constant influence. Band members Hasan and Rami Nakhleh, who come from Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, also touch on the political undertones in their fun, danceable music that addresses serious situations while keeping the vibe uplifting. They share the story behind their recent track featuring Lynn Adib and her daughter Sara, a lullaby released during the war in Gaza.

Explore Quoz Arts Fest 👉 https://www.instagram.com/quozartsfest/

01:09 The Golan Heights Reggae Tattoo

04:15 From Arabic Classics to Hip-Hop and Metal

07:37 The Unfinished Business of the Quartertone Guitar

09:30 The Magic Trick of Party Music and Political Subtext

12:00 The Korg PA600 and '90s Wedding Synth Sounds

17:39 The Greats of Arabic Synth Music

20:36 The Lullaby with Lynn Adib and Sara

TootArd is a genre-fluid duo comprising visionary brothers Hasan and Rami Nakhleh, celebrated for their boundless creativity, consistently reshaping their musical landscape with each new release. Their artistry is a fusion of global pop hooks and quarter-tone melodic lines, crafting a distinctive blend of disco and dance music that draws inspiration from the rich musical traditions of SWANA and beyond. The duo effortlessly melds retro funk elements with a contemporary, high-sheen sonic palette, resulting in a captivating and boundary-pushing musical journey. Their music transcends geographical borders, captivating audiences worldwide and solidifying their status as a dynamic force in the global music scene.

Connect with TootArd 👉 https://instagram.com/tootard

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊

https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Visual artist, performer, and DJ Nasri Sayegh Jr. discusses his practice and the profound influence of music on his work and life at Quoz Arts Fest 2026. He opens by sharing the urgent, improvised creation of his installation for the festival, "You Ain't Never Been Blue," which features 100 suns drawn in one night in Beirut. He speaks candidly about the two-year hiatus he took from producing art due to the painful situation in Gaza and Lebanon, exploring the existential question of what art means today. He describes the daily struggle of making the emotional journey from his kitchen to his studio—a distance that felt like "crossing hundreds of kilometers" since October 7. The conversation also delves into his deep connection with music, exemplified by his creation of the community platform radiokarantina during the 2020 pandemic. The platform, named after an area in Beirut, grew from a simple joke among friends to a large party with mixes contributed globally, serving as a vital space for connection during periods of violence and uncertainty in Lebanon and Palestine. Nasri shares the music that shapes his soul, featuring tracks from Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and the Rahbani Brothers, and reflects on the enduring role of Fairuz in the Lebanese soundscape.

00:09 afikra's Collaboration With Quoz Arts Fest for a Second Year

01:19 Nasri's Improvisational Visual Art

02:23 The Struggle to Create Amidst Pain

04:36 His Mural "You Ain't Never Been Blue"

07:22 Music as Perpetual Presence and Addiction

08:21 radiokarantina: A Pandemic Party and Meeting Place

12:08 Nina Simone and the Power of Mood Indigo

14:23 Billie Holiday: Sublime Voice Over Pain

15:18 Fairuz and Adoration for the Rahbani Brothers

17:30 Yasmine Hamdan and the Birth of Soapkills

Nasri Sayegh approaches his practice as a way to reassemble what resists erasure. A Lebanese visual artist, writer, DJ, embroiderer, and performer, he works across photography, video, embroidery, text, and objects to interrogate the construction and deconstruction of memory. Excavating archives – family, official, and beyond – he composes visual constellations that evoke an atlas or cabinet of memory. Central to this process is embroidery, which Sayegh envisions as both a suture and a queer gesture of reparation, weaving delicately between absence and recollection, amnesia and resistance. His multidisciplinary works propose a fragile museum where text and image, stitch and pixel converge. He's also behind radiokarantina.

Connect with Nasri Sayegh 👉 https://instagram.com/nasrisays

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊

https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Palestinian hip-hop group DAM is often credited as the first rap group in the Arab world. Now 26 years into their career, the band members join us on the Quoz Arts Fest stage to discuss the group's evolution and how they navigate personal expression amidst political tragedy. The conversation covers the mixed emotions of performing while their people are suffering through a genocide, the honor and privilege of presenting Palestinian culture and music to the world, and the delicate balance of prioritizing their artistry versus their Palestinian identity. The artists also share their views on the evolution of Arabic hip-hop, the new generation of Palestinian rappers, and how AI and algorithms affect artists promoting messages of social justice.

Explore Quoz Arts Fest 👉 https://www.instagram.com/quozartsfest/

Follow DAM 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dampalestine/

0:00 Introduction to DAM: Pioneers of Arab Hip-Hop

1:33 The Unique Vibe of Performing as a Group

2:28 Processing Emotions and the Absence of Art During Tragedy

4:47 The Privilege and Mixed Emotions of Performing Amidst Genocide

6:03 The Evolution of the DAM Lineup and Sound

11:00 On the New Generation of Palestinian and Levantine Hip-Hop

13:17 Maysa Daw on Switching Personalities in Solo Work vs. DAM and Kallem

16:31 Navigating Identity: Palestinian First, Artist Second

18:54 Tamer Nafar's New Album and the Price of Spotlight on Palestinian Art

22:44 What to Expect From the Dubai Show

24:26 Future Plans: New Album and Continuing to Make Music

26:09 The Essence of Arabic Rap and Staying Loyal to Lyrics

28:32 Fighting Algorithm Bias and "Algo Tunnels"

31:30 Motivation vs. Discipline in the Creative Process

Tamer Nafar is a Palestinian rapper, actor, screenwriter and social activist, and the founding member of DAM, the first Palestinian hip-hop group. He grew up in Lyd, discovered hip-hop and became the world’s first Palestinian rapper. His lyrics and activities reflect the Palestinian struggle, women’s rights, and the promotion of alternative art within a conservative society. In addition to music, Nafar co-wrote and starred in the award-winning film Junction 48.

Connect with Tamer Nafar 👉 https://instagram.com/tamer_nafar

Mahmood Jrere is a Palestinian hip-hop artist and entrepreneur, and one of the founding members of DAM. He was born and raised in the impoverished city of Lyd, where he witnessed drug-abuse and violence on a daily basis. Along with the two other founding members of DAM, he began putting what they saw outside their window onto paper.

Connect with Mahmood Jrere 👉 https://instagram.com/mahmoodjrere

Maysa Daw is an indie musician, singer-songwriter, and the latest member of DAM and of the band Kallem. Influenced by rock, hip-hop, soul, neo-jazz and more, she fuses different genres, and explores personal, interpersonal and collective experiences, stemming from her own view of reality.

Connect with Maysa Daw 👉 https://instagram.com/maysadaw

DJ Bruno Cruz is a Palestinian musician, electronic DJ and producer living in Haifa City in the north of Palestine. He started his career in music in 1998 and has become one of the most prominent names in the Palestinian underground scene. Bruno is the co-founder of Ministry of Dub-key and the official DJ of DAM, and has been playing his own music infused with his unique style all over the world in festivals such as Fusion Festival in Germany, Glastonbury in the UK and many more.

Connect with DJ Bruno Cruz 👉 https://instagram.com/djbrunocruz

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊

https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

South Asian-American artist Gayathri Krishnan discusses her journey, her unique musical fusion, and her performance at Quoz Arts Fest this year. She delves into the tradition of Carnatic music—a classical form from South India—and how her extensive training in it influences her contemporary R&B and neo-soul sound. She shares her start in music, her influences from Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber to contemporary R&B artists like Cleo Sol and Brandy, and Indian musician and producer Sid Sriram, and the challenge of blending traditional and modern styles. She speaks about her collaborative approach to songwriting, her commitment to the raw, unfiltered experience of a live performance, and her hope to inspire audiences to embrace their truest selves.

Explore Quoz Arts Fest 👉 https://www.instagram.com/quozartsfest/

0:23 Early Musical Background and Obsessions

1:14 What Is Carnatic Music?

5:02 The Setup of a Carnatic Performance

5:39 The Show at Quoz Arts Fest

6:14 Navigating Music Fusion: Honoring Tradition in Modern Sounds

8:00 Feedback on Fusion: The Carnatic Community Response

8:45 Influences and Finding Confidence: Sid Sriram

11:03 The Collaborative Approach to Songwriting

13:02 Live Performance vs. Studio Recording

17:06 The Festival’s Role as a Cultural Melting Pot

17:48 Defining Impact and Seeking Inspiration

19:42 On Spiritual Music and Lyrical Intent

20:56 Upcoming Project: An EP About Family

Gayathri Krishnan is a singer-songwriter and producer from Los Angeles who merges her traditional roots with contemporary flair. Drawing from her upbringing in Carnatic music — the classical South Indian music system — and her exploration of modern R&B influences, Gayathri’s sound, her introspective songwriting, and lush harmonies were evident in her debut EP "Create to Express (2020)," which amassed six million cumulative streams solely as an independent release. On-stage, Gayathri leaves an indelible impression rich in soul, melodic vocals, spirited energy, and fusion in elements of Bharatanatyam — a classical style of Indian dance.

Connect with Gayathri Krishnan 👉 https://instagram.com/gayathriikrishnan

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We sit down with Ahmed Alammary (otherwise known as DJ Baloo), the Chief Creative Officer of MDLBeast and a leading music figure and thinker in the region. We discuss the origins of MDLBeast and its goals for transforming the music industry in Saudi Arabia and the broader region. MDLBeast was born from a brief for a three-day music festival in 2019. Since then, it has evolved into a multi-layered music brand with an ethos centered on amplifying music culture across various platforms, including events, venues, record labels, radio channels, and music conferences. Given that Saudi Arabia was previously considered a "music desert" with no industry, music education, rights, or dedicated venues, the organization's involvement is seen as having incubated so much value and accelerating the development of a music industry. The conversation also touches on the dramatic shift in how the international community views Saudi music, moving from initial backlash to a point where artists and management companies are now actively seeking collaboration. This change has fostered a significant regional conversation and is credited with fading stereotypes, with Arabs starting to look at each other differently.

0:00 When Restrictions Fuel Creativity: MDLBeast's Genesis

3:50 The Chief Creative Officer’s Role in Shaping Vision

6:03 Saudi Arabia as a "Music Desert" and the Lack of Infrastructure

10:09 The Building Blocks of a Thriving Music Industry

15:03 The Core Difference Between XP and Soundstorm

18:42 Overcoming Domestic (and International) Backlash

20:35 Creating a Regional "Musical Glue"

22:50 The History of the Underground Saudi Music Scene

27:37 The Economic and Professional Focus of the New Industry

30:30 Artistry and Local Palettes: The Role of Record Labels

33:25 Identifying a Unique "Saudi Sound"

35:35 Beyond Electronic Music: Hip-Hop, Indie, and Heavy Metal

37:45 The 10-Year Vision: Saudi As a Music Destination

40:30 Culture Building Over Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

46:37 Navigating Censorship Through Creativity

51:38 Potholes to Avoid: The Double-Edged Sword of Ambition

Ahmed Alammary aka AlBaloo is the Label Head and DJ at Gabu Records and Chief Creative Officer of MDLBeast, and a leading music figures and thinkers in Saudi Arabia.

Connect with Baloo 👉 https://instagram.com/a_baloo

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉

https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oud player, singer and musician Huda Asfour takes the stage on Habibi Festival's fifth and last night of 2025, performing new tracks she wrote during the genocidal campaign on Gaza, and a track called "From the River to the Sea" which she Wrote as a response to the May 18, 2021 strike in Palestine. The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet also take the stage for a second night this festival.

0:00:00 Huda Asfour Takes the Stage With Her Oud

0:09:48 Asfour Introduces a New Track

0:14:10 Asfour Performs More Tracks From She Wrote During the Genocidal Campaign on Gaza

0:31:37 Asfour Performs a Track She Write "From the River to the Sea" As a Response to the May 18, 2021 Strike in Palestine

0:36:19 The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet Takes the Stage for a Second Night This Festival With New Track "Teach Me"

0:49:47 Mohamed Abozekry Celebrates The Sextet's Last Show in Their US Tour and Introduces the Musicians on Stage

0:51:00 The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet Perform Another New Track: "Still Longing"

0:59:08 More Tracks From the Sextet

1:08:22 "Roh El Fouad" Track from the Latest Album With the Same Name

1:23:38 Performance Continues

2:12:00 afikra Quartertones Takes the Stage for a Conversation with Huda Asfour

Huda Asfour is a Palestinian oud and qanun player, composer, educator, social entrepreneur, and engineer. Born into a musical family, she began her formal musical training at 13, and later studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Gaza and the Edward Said Music Conservatory in Ramallah, where she was mentored.

Connect with Huda Asfour 👉 https://instagram.com/hudasmusic

Mohamed Abozekry is a Franco-Egyptian musician who entered the Arabic Oud House in Cairo at a very early age and received his teaching from Naseer Shamma. At the age of fifteen, he became the youngest professor of Oud in the Arab world. He formed several groups, including the Mohamed Abozekry Sextet and received the first prize at the international Oud competition in Damascus in 2009. In 2010 he formed the quartet Heejaz which also includes Guillaume Hogan (guitar), Anne Laure Bourget (percussion) and Hugo Reydet (double bass).

Connect with Mohamed Abozekry 👉 https://instagram.com/m.abozekry

Hosted by Hiba Al-Ashtal

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the fourth night of Habibi Festival 2025, Sudanese artist Mai Elgizouli takes the stage with a dynamic, deeply emotional first "serious" show in New York performing a set of acoustic songs that explore themes of sadness, power, and hope, including a deeply personal tribute to her late brother and the strong women of Sudan. She follows with a nuanced and candid conversation with afikra Quarertones, joined by celebrated Sudanese musician Alsarah. They discuss their long-standing friendship and artistic collaboration and delve into May’s journey from visual artist to musician, the unexpected amount of work required for a professional set, and the immense privilege of having a family that provides a space for emotional and artistic expression in a place like Sudan. They also reflect on how being in New York and witnessing the current war has impacted Mai’s work, concluding with a powerful message for the audience: to simply feel their feelings. Palestinian musician Rasha Nahas also takes the stage for a second night in this year's festival.

0:00 Mai Elgizouli Performs a Tribute to Her Brother: "Ba'eed 'an Al Ahzan" (Far From Sorrows)

4:40 Performing "Ramadi" (Gray)

10:47 Mai Introduces Her Band & Performs "Al Gawiyya": a Song for Strong Women & the Sudanese Revolution

17:20 Performing "Bi Darbi Ma Bamshi" (Never Down That Path Again)

23:34 Performing "Shabah" (Ghost)

29:32 Performing "Al Furaq": the First Song She Wrote

37:06 Rasha Nahas Takes the Stage for a Second Night

43:57 Rasha Nahas Introduces the Band & Performs "Desert" From Her First Album

50:09 Rasha Nahas Performs "The Clown"

56:46 Rasha Nahas Performs "Nbeed" (Wine)

1:02:24 Rasha Nahas Performs an Unreleased New Song "Khalas" From an Album Which Will be Out Next Year

1:07:13 Rasha Nahas Performs Her Latest Single "Ghanneeli" (A Song Written During the Genocide in Gaza)

1:14:00 Rasha Nahas Performs Another Unreleased Song: "Once Upon a Time in Palestine"

1:24:20 afikra Quartertones Invites Mai Elgizouli and Special Guest Alsarah on Stage

1:26:05 Alsarah’s Obsession and Mai’s Artistic Mastery

1:29:13 Mai’s First "Serious Show" in New York

1:30:58 Family Support & Surviving Trauma in Sudan

1:33:36 Art, Critique & Dealing With War While in New York

1:37:37 The Message: Feel Your Feelings

Mai Elgizouli is an award-winning film director and multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Omdurman, Khartoum in a family of artists. Her music carries the tenderness of Sudanese Arabic and the nostalgic pulse of Sudan's 1980s sound.

Connect with Mai Elgizouli 👉 https://instagram.com/mai_egizouli

Hosted by Suzanne Gaber 👉

https://instagram.com/suzannegaber

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Day 3 at Habibi Festival 2025 brings two boundary-pushing Arab artists: Iraqi-American visual artist-turned-musician Maryam Turkey and Egyptian oud player Mohamed Abozekry. They discuss their artistic journeys, creative transitions, and their unique collaborative processes. Turkey details her move into music in New York, where she found a more playful and collaborative creative space. She discusses her new album, which innovatively revives classical Arabic themes of love and lust by repurposing lyrics from forgotten Iraqi folk music. Abozekry reflects on his rapid musical development starting with Naseer Shamma at Arabic Oud House. He shares the challenges and rewards of evolving from a strictly instrumentalist role to embracing singing and composition, which has allowed for a new phase of creative fun and experimentation in his work. The artists share their conceptual themes, from Turkey's exploration of inspiration and freedom in "Ahlam" to Abozekry's method of refining new compositions through touring.

0:00:00 Performance by Maryam Turkey and Band

0:36:23 afikra Quartertones Invites the Two Musicians on Stage for a Conversation

0:37:24 Maryam Turkey's Childhood in Iraq & Transition from Visual Art to Music

0:39:39 Mohamed Abozekry's Journey with the Oud

0:42:13 The Joy of Creative Collaboration

0:45:26 Maryam's Latest Album: Reusing Iraqi Folk Lyrics

0:48:17 Mohamed's Roh El Fouad Album & Using Touring To Try New Arrangements

0:49:36 Maryam's Ahlam: Conceptual Themes, Freedom & Lust

0:52:20 The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet Takes the Stage

2:07:35 afikra Quartertones Invites the Two Musicians on Stage

Mohamed Abozekry is a Franco-Egyptian musician who entered the Arabic Oud House in Cairo at a very early age and received his teaching from Naseer Shamma. At the age of fifteen, he became the youngest professor of Oud in the Arab world. He formed several groups, including the Mohamed Abozekry Sextet and received the first prize at the international Oud competition in Damascus in 2009. In 2010 he formed the quartet Heejaz which also includes Guillaume Hogan (guitar), Anne Laure Bourget (percussion) and Hugo Reydet (double bass).

Connect with Mohamed Abozekry 👉 https://instagram.com/m.abozekry

Maryam Turkey is an Iraqi-American artist and designer based in Brooklyn, New York. In 2009, she moved with her family as refugees to the United States, where she attended Baltimore School for the Arts high school and learned traditional painting. She continued her art and design education at Pratt Institute, where she earned her Bachelor of Industrial Design in 2017. Shortly after graduation, Turkey was awarded an art residency at Domaine de Boisbuchet where she was mentored by Sabine Marcelis. Turkey’s sculptural practice began then. In 2019 she was awarded an art residency at the Museum of Art and Design, where she developed her ongoing paper clay techniques. She has recently made a transition to a career in music as a singer-songwriter.

Connect with Maryam Turkey 👉 https://instagram.com/maryamturkey

Hosted by Daleelah Saleh

Egyptian-American multi-hyphenate creative, passionate about storytelling at the intersections of culture, activism, and media.

Connect with Daleelah Saleh 👉

https://instagram.com/medialeelah

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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Experience day two of the fifth edition of Habibi Festival, hosted at Joe’s Pub in Brooklyn. The evening begins with the festival co-founders, Yacine Boulares and Meera Dugal, welcoming the audience and reflecting on the festival’s mission of celebrating the living, breathing music, culture, and traditions of the Arab region and actively combating their "museumification." The night features contemporary Egyptian artist Maii Waleed in her second appearance this year, joined by a New York-based band, followed by the critically acclaimed Palestinian rock star, composer, and guitarist Rasha Nahas. Following her powerful performance, Nahas sits down with afikra for a Q&A discussing the impact of the last two years on her creative process, her upcoming bilingual album, and how her multi-generational family history and connection to the land directly influence her music, especially in her unreleased track, "Once Upon a Time in Palestine."

0:00 Welcome to Day 2 of the 5th Habibi Festival at Joe's Pub

0:49 The Mission: Combating the "Museumification" of Arab Culture

1:35 Habibi Festival's Partnership with Celebrate Brooklyn and afikra

3:48 Maii Waleed Takes the Stage with Her All-American Band

12:45 Maii Waleed Performs "Neptune" (On Losing Hope and Silver Lining)

21:04 Maii Waleed Performs "Louloua"

25:22 Maii Waleed Performs "Ehdefini" (Throw Me Out of This System)

30:06 Maii Waleed Performs Her Last Two Tracks

39:53 Rasha Nahas Takes the Stage: How to Survive Whole as a Victim

47:17 Rasha Nahas Performs "Desert" From her Debut Record

52:19 Shukran and Invitation to Dance/Cry

56:34 Rasha Nahas Performs "War"

59:36 Rasha Nahas Performs "Nbeed" (Wine)

1:04:19 Rasha Nahas Performs a New, Unreleased Song

1:09:26 Rasha Nahas Performs "Ghanneeli" (Latest Single)

1:16:39 Rasha Nahas Performs "Once Upon a Time in Palestine" (Unreleased)

1:24:41 Rasha Nahas Performs "The Skies Don't Care" (First Song Written at 17, in Jerusalem)

1:31:06 afikra Quartertones Interviews Rasha Nahas on Stage

1:33:18 Discussing the New Bilingual Album and its Themes

1:34:04 The Multi-Generational Trauma and Shared Story of Palestinians

1:35:46 The Indigenous Connection to Land is Not a Cliché

1:36:40 Rasha Nahas on How the Last Two Years Shattered the Soul and Influenced Art

1:39:41 The Influence of Berlin's Weimar Era Cabaret on Her Music

1:42:30 Recording the Amrat Album in the Occupied Golan Heights

1:44:41 Life in New York City and the New Energy of Her Local Band

1:46:00 Future Goals: Community, Family, Health, and Releasing Soulful Music

Maii Waleed is a singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist born and raised in Alexandria. She was once a part of Telepoetic, an Electro-Rock Egyptian band performing their first gig on 100live music festival for electronic arts. She dropped her first album, Moga, in 2013 which was produced with Zeid Hamdan. Over the years Maii had collaborated with various artists in her community as well as internationally. In the year 2015 she released tracks with Jordanian electronica trio Zaed Naes. That was later followed by a couple of EPs with Zeid Hamdan within the umbrella of their collaboration project Maii and Zeid.

Connect with Maii Waleed 👉 https://instagram.com/maiiwaleeed

Rasha Nahas is a multifaceted Palestinian artist known for her distinctive approach to songwriting, storytelling, and performance. A singer, composer, actress, and instrumentalist, she has a unique sound that is rooted in her early training in classical guitar and her formative years in Haifa's underground music scene. Her genre-defying style weaves the traditional and popular music influences of her homeland with the raw intensity of electric rock. Her 2021 debut album Desert chronicled her journey from Haifa to Berlin. Her second album, Amrat, was released in 2023 via UK label Cooking Vinyl, marking her first foray into Arabic language lyrics, exploring the thematic duality of urban and rural life. Recorded at 67 Studio in the occupied Golan Heights and featuring contributions from leading lights of Palestine's indie scene, its success secured tours across Europe, South America, the UK and West Asia.

Connect with Rasha Nahas 👉 https://instagram.com/rasha_nahas

Hosted by Tarik Zahr

Tarik Zahr is a afikra ambassador, born in Lebanon, raised in the UAE and currently in the US, getting his PhD at Columbia University in Molecular Pharmacology. He works in the Medical Campus' Diabetes Center focusing on fatty liver disease and cholesterol metabolism. He has a huge interest in Arab and SWANA history, food, and music, and is curious about his Druze faith.

Connect with Tarik Zahr 👉 https://instagram.com/adventuresoftartarsauce

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Habibi Festival is back for a fifth year with performances and talks on stage hosted by afikra, which we'll be releasing on our Quartertones series. Day 1 opens with a solo performance by Maii Waleed, an artist from Alexandria, Egypt, in her debut at Joe's Pub. She sings tracks from her previous EP, including "Neptune" and "Sama", and "Fashi" from her upcoming EP. Then violinist Layale Chaker takes the stage with her quintet, including a pianist, a drummer, a cellist and a double-bassist. She opened her set with a piece called "Anatomie of Titus – Fall of Rome". She discussed her album "Radio Afloat", which explores the sacred relationship between people and their land, and the grief and reverence that many Arab artists feel—especially in the diaspora—for this connection. She also mentioned her album "Inner Rhyme" inspired by the 12 meters in classical Arabic poetry. She shared that music, especially instrumental music, serves as a wordless art of suggestion, allowing listeners to attribute their own emotions to it. Chaker also performed a piece called "Southern Sky", inspired by a childhood memory of her village in southern Lebanon, near the border, and the starry nights she experienced there. Her final pieces were "Ocean to Ocean" which was inspired by a long poem by Ounsi el-Hajj, and "Nocturnal Backburn" that talks about native plants regrowing after a controlled fire. The performance is followed by a Q&A with Layale Chaker who explains that the violin was an instrument her mother chose for her, but one that has become an extension of herself.

Every year Habibi Festival takes listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwaves and living rooms of cities spanning Marrakech to Baghdad. This performing arts festival is a collaboration between the Director of Joe's Pub Alex Knowlton, artist/composer/curator Yacine Boulares, and curator/producer Meera Dugal who are bonded by the goal of creating more joyful spaces for performance, conversation, and storytelling from this part of the world.

Explore Habibi Festival 👉 https://www.instagram.com/habibifestival/?hl=en

0:00 Welcome to Habibi Festival 2025

14:02 Honoring Artists and Their Courage

18:00 Maii Waleed's Joe's Pub Debut

26:13 "Neptune": A Song of Hope

31:19 "Sama": Believing the Sky is Open

43:24 Layale Chaker Performs: Music as a Witness to Resistance

1:02:22 "Southern Sky": A Lebanese Memory

1:35:19 "Ocean to Ocean" and "Nocturnal Backburn"

1:45:25 afikra Q&A With Layale Chaker

1:47:01 Layale's Inspiration: Arabic Poetry and "Inner Rhyme"

1:50:01 "Radio Afloat": People, Land, and Collective Grief

1:52:16 The Wordless Art of Instrumental Music

1:54:10 Her Story With the Violin

Composer and violinist Layale Chaker was raised in Lebanon and is renowned for her beguiling and complex sound that masterfully intersects classical contemporary music, jazz, Arabic music, and improvisation, treating art as a vital crossroads where ancestral and contemporary voices meet. An award-winning artist and Jerome Hill Fellow, Layale released a double portrait album in 2024 on In a Circle Records: Vigil (featuring her classical works with the ETHEL Quartet) and Radio Afloat (with her chamber jazz quintet, Sarafand). These works reflect on the intertwined destinies of people and the natural world, building upon the success of her highly-praised 2019 debut album, Inner Rhyme.

Connect with Layale Chaker 👉 https://instagram.com/layalechaker

Maii Waleed is a singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist born and raised in Alexandria. She was once a part of Telepoetic, an Electro-Rock Egyptian band performing their first gig on 100live music festival for electronic arts. She dropped her first album, Moga, in 2013 which was produced with Zeid Hamdan.

Connect with Maii Waleed 👉 https://instagram.com/maiiwaleeed

Hosted by Helena Reyad 👉 https://instagram.com/helanareyad

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊

https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Musician and composer Maya Youssef takes us on her unique journey with the qanun. Currently based in London, Maya delves into her early musical upbringing in Damascus to challenging traditional perceptions of the 78-stringed Instrument and developing her own innovative approach to composition and teaching. She discusses the profound connection between the qanun and human emotion, and how music became a form of prayer and healing during personal and global turmoil. Maya also delves into the intricacies of Arabic music theory, improvisation, and the importance of embodying music.

0:00 The Expressive Power of the Qanun

0:05 Composing During Wartime: Music as Prayer

0:27 Discovering the Qanun and Defying Expectations

2:00 Musical Upbringing in Damascus

4:04 Early Music Education and Discipline

5:37 The Qanun's Call and a Taxi Driver's Challenge

9:00 Critiquing Traditional Qanun Education

11:59 The Struggle with Improvisation (Taqasim)

15:39 An Illuminating Experience in Aleppo

18:45 Unlearning Theory and Embracing Organic Learning

22:59 Demonstrating Maqam Switches

24:42 Foundational Maqamat and Their Evolution

29:08 Composing "Queen of the Night"

33:37 The Songwriting Process: Music as Healing

38:00 The Emotional Spectrum of the Qanun

40:46 "Samai of Trees" and Orchestral Collaborations

44:51 Unintentional Influences

49:10 Collaboration with Musicians and Sheet Music

51:54 The Qanun's Role and Limitations

53:20 The "Qanun Goats"

54:50 The Search for the Best Qanun Maker

56:05 Connecting with Maya Youssef

Maya Youssef is a qanun player and composer from Damascus now based in the UK. Her music is rooted in the Arabic classical tradition but forges pathways into jazz, Western classical and Latin styles. It explores the emotional and healing qualities of music. Her debut album Syrian Dreams, produced by Joe Boyd, was highly-acclaimed in music press around the world and has led to many awards, performances on prestigious stages. She describes her highest honor to be naming the Year 6 class of Dalmain Primary School in London "Youssef" in recognition of her inspirational work.

Connect with Maya Youssef 👉 https://instagram.com/mayayoussefmusic

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊

https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rapper, writer, and thought leader Akala joins us on Quartertones live at Sole DXB to talk about his early career steps in London, the city's unique blends due to its history, and his drive to connect with diverse audiences. He shares insights into the impact of colonialism and the importance of embracing shared cultural heritage from Shakespeare to his Jamaican influences. We discuss the significance of South-South solidarity and the changing nature of global power dynamics. Akala reflects on the complexities of identity, privilege, and the evolving cultural landscape in Europe.

This episode was recorded live on the Sole DXB stage in Dubai on December 15, 2024.

00:00 Introduction

01:31 Akala's Early Career and Diverse Influences

02:07 Growing Up in Multicultural London

04:30 The Impact of Shared Struggles

07:27 Exploring Shakespeare and Cultural Ownership

13:16 Challenging Bias and Assumptions

15:28 Embracing Diverse Cultural Influences

16:43 The Unique Perspective of UK Hip Hop

19:35 Navigating Success and Global Perspectives

20:02 South-South Solidarity and Global Power Dynamics

20:51 The Complexity of Human Relationships

22:16 Class and Community: A Personal Reflection

23:36 Global Inequality and Historical Context

27:10 The Future of Global Relations

30:34 Concluding Thoughts on Privilege and Luck

Born Kingslee James McLean Daley in the UK, Akala is a British rapper, writer and activist. His stepfather was a stage manager at the Hackney Empire theatre, and he often visited it before his teens. His older sister is none other than rapper Ms. Dynamite (Niomi Arleen). In 2006, he released his debut album, It's Not a Rumour, which featured the single "Shakespeare" and earned him a hip hop award at the MOBO Awards. The following year, he released a second album, Freedom Lasso, which featured the track "Comedy Tragedy History," also inspired by Shakespeare. Akala's third album, DoubleThink , was released in 2010, followed by a mixtape titled Knowledge Is Power in 2012, and a fourth album, The Thieves Banquet in 2013. He has been included on the annual Powerlist of the 100 most influential Black British people in the UK, most recently making the 2021 edition.

Connect with Akala 👉 https://instagram.com/akalamusic

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Explore Sole DXB 👉 https://www.instagram.com/soledxb/

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Palestinian singer Lina Makoul delves into the responsibility of artists to translate public sentiment, the worsening situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the impact of the 900 new checkpoints added by the occupation on day-to-day Palestinian life. Makoul talks about her journey as an independent artist, her research into Palestinian history, and the challenges faced by Palestinian artists under occupation. The discussion also covers the importance of community and creative collaborations, and the power of art in resistance. Makoul also shares her experiences on international tours and highlights the significance of maintaining genuine artistic expression amidst political and economic pressures.

This episode was recorded on May 19, 2025

00:00 Introduction

02:45 Daily Life and Struggles in Palestine

06:18 Reclaiming Voice and Story

08:06 Challenges for Independent Palestinian Artists

08:26 Historical Context and Cultural Identity

10:13 Art as a Form of Resistance

13:14 Global Perception of Palestine

24:17 Collaborative Creative Projects

32:40 Building a Community-Driven Ecosystem

01:02:55 Navigating Fame and Authenticity

01:09:38 Final Thoughts

Lina Makoul is a Palestinian singer-songwriter and music producer who rose to prominence after winning "The Voice Israel" in 2013. Initially signing with a manager and achieving international chart success with English-language pop, she later chose to become an independent artist in 2020. This shift allowed her to embrace her Palestinian heritage more fully, creating indie-pop music primarily in Arabic and using her platform to advocate for Palestinian artists and narratives. Makoul is known for blending contemporary sounds with cultural influences and actively supports Palestinian talent in her music video productions. She opened for Saint Levant on his 2024 "Deira" tour and is set to release her new EP, "Radical."

Connect with Lina Makoul 👉 https://www.instagram.com/linamakoul

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.