For April, EnVi introduces you to the brands, talent, and creators we’re loving from across Western Asia.
In the latest installation of our music series, EnVi Rotation, we’re back with another themed playlist that Team EnVi has curated just for you. The West Asian music scene is making waves and we’ve rounded up the must-know artists you need on your playlists. Ranging from motivational anthems to bops that will get you dancing, we’ve got it all just for you!
Emy Hetari – “I will dream”
Demonstrating outstanding prowess in her musical abilities and enchanting vocality, Yemeni pop singer-songwriter and voice actress Emy Hetari makes waves with her colorful compositions and heart-tugging balladry. By embodying Arabic folk music, Emy fuses traditional rhythmic melodies with traditional instrumentations and present-day musical elements. The self-producing artist started off covering well-known anime openings in Arabic on her YouTube, where she has accumulated more than 1 million subscribers. It wasn’t until 2019 that Emy finally made her official debut with her first album Sukkr. In the same year, Emy was awarded a UNFPA Award at the Nairobi Summit for her commitment to advocating for women’s rights through music, making her one of the two award recipients from the Arab region. A song most evident of her profound sound and heavenly vocals is her popular song “I will dream.” In this pop track, Emy pays homage to courage and hope. “I will dream” incites listeners to keep moving forward with determination, bravery, and patience towards their dreams.
Saint Levant – “5am in Paris”
Palestinian Algerian artist Saint Levant has made headlines after his show-stopping set at Coachella. Ranging from fearless activism to antics of a self-proclaimed loverboy, Saint Levant surely has something up his sleeve for you in his discography. Saint Levant is known for his genre-bending lyricism, blending together English, Arabic, and French in his tracks over sexy, moody beats. His repertoire is for the slow jam R&B lovers, for the ones who cannot bear music without purpose. After going viral for his hits like “Deira,” “Very Few Friends,” and “Nails,” 23-year-old Saint Levant is someone you definitely want to keep on your radar. His latest single, “5am in Paris,” is a reflection on the multifaceted aspects of his identity. Over a moody club beat with Arab influence, Levant expresses his fervent desire to go home but with ties in Algeria, his home in Gaza, and his girlfriend presently residing in LA — Saint Levant has home everywhere but never truly feels at home. “5am in Paris” dives into the never-ending quest for identity and the complexities of displacement as he laments his troubles in his three native languages.
Faia Younan – “Dima Lia”
Preserving the ancient Assyrian language, Syria-Assyrian singer and activist Faia Younan promotes Assyrian folk music through her captivating fusions of cultural foundations with a modern touch. Younan stands as an influential figure in West Asian music due to her ability to mix present-day musical components with the traditional sounds of the region. The singer launched her career in 2015 with her debut single “Ohebbou Yadayka” (“I Love Your Hand”) by crowdfunding a total of $25,000 through 119 contributors, which became a social media sensation. This event earned Younan a spot on the Guinness World Records as the first female singer from the region to crowdfund a debut. Her single “Ya Qatli” has also received the award “Best Sung Poem” in the fifth round of the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Award for Arabic Poetry in Saudi Arabia. Standing as a fan favorite, her festive single “Ghanni” has won the hearts of many with her illustrious timbre. The poetic upbeat ode celebrates life and love, encouraging listeners by singing, “They have treated you unfairly, and chain your hands / Be confident, don’t worry / Break the chain and sing / and cherish the dream in your heart.”
Zeyne – “ Ana Wein – أنا وين”
Zein Sajdi — better known as Zeyne — is a Palestinian Jordanian singer-songwriter and an absolute must-have in your music library if you love sweet, haunting vocals. Even with more upbeat instrumentals behind her, something about the somber tone of Zeyne’s voice will stay with her listeners long after her music stops playing. She is known best for her collaboration with Saint Levant on their track “Balak” and her performance on A Colors Show with “Ma Bansak,” and are perfect examples of her musical range. One of her more slow-paced songs, “Ana Wein,” captures her emotional prowess, singing soulfully about the loss of a lover who destroyed the world she crafted around him. Zeyne ensures you feel her pain as she sings grimly “There’s no light in this darkness […] I guess it’s all a game / Lucky me, lucky me, you’ve disappeared.”
Buray – “İstersen”
Renowned for his blend of pop music with traditional Turkish and Arabic, Turkish Cypriot pop singer Buray never fails to call the attention and ears of millions with his distinctive pop sound and captivating vocal range. His emotionally raw lyricism serves as self-reflective pieces of human emotions. Buray has gained a total of 2 billion views on YouTube and more than 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Buray has played multiple influential shows, including one of Turkey’s most prominent music festivals, the Istanbul International Music Festival, and the prestigious venue Jolly Joker Ankara to name a few. Arabic pop-soul song “İstersen” stands as one of his most popular tracks holding 169 million views and is loved by the majority. Opening up with a catchy acoustic riff and low drum beats, Buray confesses to his hopeless love and adherence to the other party, admitting his devotion and life in the hands of his lover.
Elyanna – “Sad in Pali”
No West Asian playlist is complete without Elian Marjieh. Known professionally as Elyanna, the Palestinian Chilean singer-songwriter has amassed great success in the past couple of years after making history as the first artist to perform in Coachella completely in Arabic in 2023 to garnering almost 16 million views on her track “Ana Lahale.” On April 12, she dropped her debut album WOLEDTO featuring nine tracks, one of which being the final song “Sad in Pali.” With this poignant final track, Elyanna muses about the importance of family and the harrowing nature of loss as her home, Palestine, is under siege. As the instrumental builds so too does the emotion with which she sings, not once forgetting where she hails from as she cries out, “An innocent child / Searching for an old face / How can a soul forget someone it adores?” In the end, over the melancholic notes of a violin, she recites a poem written by her grandfather feeling hopeful that one day she will return to her beloved homeland: “Through distance your heart will learn / the meaning of harshness / and your heart will learn the taste of return.”
Nemahsis – “i wanna be your right hand”
Canadian Palestinian indie songstress Nemahsis is a must-have on your playlist if you are a fan of artists like Lorde or Florence & The Machine. Her vast vocal range varies from a sweet, delicate falsetto to a rich, soulful tone that makes her a force to be reckoned with. Her latest release, “i wanna be your right hand,” delves into the conflicts of love over a gritty acoustic rhythm — making for straight indie-alt goodness. Wanting to support her lover throughout it all, she confesses, “A dime a dozen? You’re worth the compromises / You-oh-ooh-ooh, you-oh-ooh-ooh / I wanna be your right hand.”
Sura İskenderli – “Ağıt”
Azerbaijani-born Turkish singer-songwriter Sura İskenderli is a vocalist to keep your eyes on. Incorporating elements of traditional Turkish music into her pop tracks, she offers listeners a great example of the passion behind the Turkish music scene. Her pop ballad, “Ağıt,” has garnered over 7 million views since its release last August, and is one of many examples that showcases her vocal prowess. Capturing the gut-wrenching nature of heartbreak with her vocals within the song, “Ağıt” is a testament to Sura İskenderli’s power as a singer.
INJI – “HATE YOUR GUTS”
Searching for some dance pop to toss into your playlist? Look no further, because Turkish pop artist INJI has got you covered. After going viral on TikTok for her hits “GASLIGHT” and “MADELINE,” INJI has been on the rise to stardom. Her single from early March, “HATE YOUR GUTS,” is the pinnacle of post-breakup angst with a satisfying splash of ruining an ex’s reputation. Don’t let the energetic club vibes of the song fool you — INJI’s here to use her lyricism to cut like a knife. She shouts out, “I fucking hate your guts / I’m telling everybody, this guy sucks / …It feels so good to cause a scene, be mean.” INJI’s made getting revenge more fun than ever!
Rasha Nahas – “Habbetek حبيتك”
Palestinian singer-songwriter Rasha Nahas shines as a compelling storyteller, unveiling raw vulnerability in her sophomore album Amrat امرات, meaning “sometimes,” released in January 2023. This marked her debut Arabic recording, where she skillfully navigates between urban and rural themes. The album’s first half embraces synth-driven melodies, while the second is characterized by classical guitar and diverse percussion. With her signature songwriting and mellifluous voice, Nahas captures listeners’ attention effortlessly. A standout track on the album, “Habbetek حبيتك,” meaning “I loved you” in Arabic, takes listeners on a journey of love transcending earthly bounds. As Nahas croons lyrics such as “I loved you from beneath the earth to above the clouds,” paired with an alluring rhythm, she leads listeners to explore the intricacies of love and loss. Throughout the album, Nahas’ captivating vocals and storytelling solidify her status as a rising star.
Listen to the EnVi Rotation: West Asian Wave playlist with more of our favorite West Asian artists here. Don’t forget to follow EnVi on Spotify and check out more of our playlists here.
Seeking more talented artists across the Asian diaspora? Check out our specially curated playlist of indie musicians, EnVi Rotation: Rising Indie, here!
