'Failure is part of the process, what matters is that you don't give up’

With over 11 million followers on YouTube, how 21-year-old Syrian singer and social media sensation Bessan Ismail turned her struggles into songs

- Somya Mehta

In times of turmoil, when you witness the world around you crumble, where do you turn? For 21-year-old Syrian artist Bessan Ismail, art became her refuge when she needed it most. The singer, whose work is resonating deeply with audiences far and wide, discovered at an early age that music was more than an escape—it was a way to process her experiences and transform raw emotions into something meaningful that ignites hope in others.

Her creativity, however, stems from a very intimate confrontation with loss and resilience. In a conversation with City Times, the singer and social media sensation, opens up about her incredible journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a rising star in the Middle Eastern music and social media scenes.

A 'bittersweet' childhood

Bessan’s early years in Syria were a blend of hardship and hope. “My childhood was bitter and sweet at the same time,” she recalled the life-altering event at a young age when her father disappeared. “We didn’t know if my father was alive or dead. That uncertainty was always with us.” At just 10 years old, Bessan left Syria for Germany, beginning a journey of self-discovery.