Saint Levant made a notable appearance on stage, Friday June 28, during the 25th edition of the Gnaoua Festival, on the legendary Moulay Hassan stage. Committed texts and support for Palestine, the native of Jerusalem captivated an audience who drank in his every word.
Delivering a message of peace, Saint Levant, whose real name is Marwan Abdelhamid, dressed soberly in black, drew attention to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, amid a crowd adorned with keffiyehs and the Palestinian flag.
The rapper, who rose to fame on social media, performed old songs including “Deira,” “I guess” and “From Gaza with Love,” released in 2023.
Between two songs, the artist with many hats spoke with the audience of Essaouira, recounting his life journey. Indeed, the artist with many hats spent several years in the Gaza Strip during his childhood. In 2007, his family was forced to move to Amman, Jordan.
Deira, liberated last month along with rapper MC Abdul, 15, from Gaza, is the name of the hotel that Saint Levant’s father built when the family moved to Gaza in 2000.
A rising star on the international music scene, the Palestinian rapper with plural origins and a multi-generational audience, Saint Levant brilliantly mixes Arabic, English and French in his tracks. Very politically engaged, his pieces which fuse hip hop and oriental RnB are a hit on platforms and attract millions of views on social networks.
In a manner of speaking, Saint Levant continues to captivate the world with his music, which transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries. His journey is marked by daring collaborations and touching tributes, making him an essential figure in today’s global music scene. His commitment to his roots and his people is reflected in every note, every lyric, creating a perfect blend of art and reality.
A symphony that transcends borders
This Friday evening was also marked by explosive performances and unique musical fusions, the Gnaoua Maâlems and world musicians, who created a captivating symphony that transcends cultural and sound boundaries, like Mâalem Mohamed Kouyou who shared the stage with two genius percussionists: the Moroccan Rhani Krija, who rubs shoulders with stars such as Sting, Herbie Hancock or Al Di Meola and the French Jon Grandcamp who draws his inspiration from African music, soul and funk, facing the ascetic playing of the trumpeter HBS, the haunting melodies of Kike Perdomo’s sax and finally the gifted electric guitar player, the Malian Guimba Kouyate.
Afterward, the show continued with The Brecker Brothers Band Reunion, including trumpeter Randy Brecker and his younger brother saxophonist Michael Brecker, who paved the way for a musical revival by mixing sophisticated jazz harmonies and fiery solos with stunning funk grooves and an energy that flirted with rock.
The group perfectly knew how to recreate the magical alchemy that made the Brecker Brothers famous in the 70s and 80s.
Timeless classics were presented on this occasion, each piece performed with a precision and passion that demonstrated the depth of their musical heritage.
This year once again, the Festival offers a bold and inclusive program, the hallmark of this event which offers a unique experience in the world.
On the menu are 53 concerts, a human rights forum, a training program with the prestigious musical institution Berklee College of Music, round tables on Gnawa culture, a major exhibition of Moroccan artists and numerous activities across the city.
