She has been hailed as ‘Arabic Music’s Modern Voice’ by NYT. But the journey has been a long a one. Lebanese singer-songwriter Yasmine Hamdan began her career in post-civil war Beirut.
She formed a band in 1997, Soapkills, as an emerging music scene took root. Soapkills, the first indie/electronic band of its kind in the Middle East, has been credited as being the most influential electronic band to emerge from the Beirut scene.
Hamdan, however not content with that success alone, moved on from Soapkills to become a successful solo artist and her career took her to France, where she records for a Belgian label. Her two albums 2013’s Ya Nass (Hey People), and Al Jamilat (The Beautiful Ones), released earlier this year have both captivated audiences across the world.
She’s performed prestigious shows on four continents (including a series of performances for the launch of the Jim Jarmusch movie ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’, in which she’s featured singing, onscreen, in one of the film’s most memorable scenes).
While her vocals are definitely connected to traditions of Arabic music (to which she takes an unconventional and fresh approach), the structures and arrangements of the songs are very remote from its codes, and take in elements from contemporary Western electronic, pop and folk music.
Hamdan, who is featured in the June episode of ‘Inside the Middle East’, returns to her roots to take the viewers through her city, Beruit and talks about how it has inspired her music. Her latest album’s music video was filmed here. “I always come back because I have an audience here, this is where I started and I’m linked to it and this is where I get my vitamins - a big amount of my inspiration… A part of me is always in this place.”
In this interview she talks about her inspirations, her icon status and what it means to be a woman in a man’s world…
この記事は The Woman の July 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Woman の July 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Changing Perceptions
‘Inside the Middle East’, CNN’s monthly show draws on the channel’s unique presence in and understanding of the region to tell stories about art and culture to CNN’s global audience. In an exclusive, Deepa Rajan spoke to Becky Anderson, Managing Editor, CNN Abu Dhabi and two of the many dynamic presenters of ‘Inside the Middle East’: well-known Egyptian jeweller Azza Fahmy and Leabanese music icon Yasmine Hamdan
Preserving Tradition
Azza Fahmy Jewellery Designer"I have always seen challenges as opportunities and from my point of view, these would have been same, for anyone building a business, irrespective of gender with the exception of juggling the raising of a family".
Toddler Travel
What puts you off travelling? For us it is the tedious travel times and flying. It becomes all the more tiresome when you have overactive toddlers. But why use it as an excuse not to travel. Farzeen Ashik’s been there done that and here’s what she’s learnt.
Manage That Stress
Homaira Kabir reflects on how we can deal with the daily demons of stress and that feeling of being overwhelmed.
Summer Chic
Who said your Summer wardrobe has to cost your entire month’s salary? Antara Bose picks 10 styles that look trendy and cost less than rials 50!
Celebrating Entrepreneurship
The British embassy recently hosted Women in Business After Tea at the Ambassador’s residence. A report.
Spiritual Goals
Farzeen Ashik lists 10 smart goals to make sure that this Ramadan you step back, evaluate yourself, and reset your intentions
For Sustainable Growth
Policymakers and industry experts discussed best industry practices and emerging business opportunities at the third Oman Real Estate Conference
Best Foot Forward
Here's how you can have a great first week at work and make every day count at your new job
Beyond Baby Blues
Dr. Fabian Saarloos, Clinical & Health Psychologist at Al Harub Medical Centre talks about Postpartum Depression and how to deal with it as a family
