The Glasgow-based artist Intibint uses creative expression to call to light injustice. Her latest single, "Ymn Alsa3eed" is inspired by the complicated relationship she has to Yemen—the country where she grew up but has not been able to return to since a civil war broke out in 2014. In conversation with Ilo Toerkell, Intibint speaks about her musical beginnings, the inspiration behind the new song, and why the war in Yemen should not be a forgotten one.
Jamila & The Other Heroes have released their new single and an accompanying music video for “LAYLA (ليلة).” Following their latest album "Bazaar Bizarre فلسطين وين انا؟" the song carries both the weight and the joy of resilience. Öykü Naz Gümüş spoke with lead singer Jamila Al-Yousef about the journey behind the song and what it means to make resilient music about painful narratives.
The Berlin-based rapper Sorah uses her music to fight racism, sexism and homophobia. Performing at demonstrations in Berlin, her double-time grime and drill-inspired verses are echoed by a crowd that challenges unjust societal structures. Ilo Toerkell spoke to Sorah about making political music and why she also started releasing more personal songs.
Parallel to the film festival, Berlinale, several local organisations are organising a counter-program. Falastin Cinema Week is hosted by Refuge Worldwide, AL.Berlin, Jewish Bund, Diaspora Rising and many others. From 17 to 21st of February, you can experience film screenings, talks, and art exploring Palestinian histories and decolonial narratives.
The artists Najib and Ahmed Eid collaborated with several other musicians on the release of "Spirit Of the Soul روح الروح". The song pays tribute to the recently killed Palestinian man Khaled Nabhan and his granddaughter Reem. Proceeds from this soli release will go towards supporting humanitarian efforts in the region.
The Palestinian-American alt-pop artist Lana Lubany just released her new EP "YAFA", named after her hometown. It follows the acclaimed "The Holy Land", which garnered the singer international attention. Ahead of her headlining show in Berlin, Lana Lubany shares her thoughts on "YAFA", the meaning of community and how she found anger to be a useful source of power.
When examining gender representation in the music industry, we mostly see cis men. Efforts to be more inclusive tend, more often than not, to focus on cis women as so-called "female" representation. Four artists who contributed to the "Soli Tunes" Compilation—6zm, Venusloc, Strip Down, and Mad Kate—reflect on why that is problematic and what could be done better.
The opera singer Michaela Tobin, known as White Boy Scream, turns the genre on its head and makes it resonate with underground drone music. Resistance to musical and societal structures is at the core of the artist's practice. Tobin doesn't just call out the eurocentricity of the genre but laces her lyrics with social and political commentary.
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