Marwan Abdelhamid, AKA Saint Levant, was born in Jerusalem to a French-Algerian mother and Serbian-Palestinian father during the second Intifada. He spent 10 years growing up in Gaza, to which he would dedicate his first EP From Gaza with Love. During the 2007 Battle of Gaza, Marwan and his family were forced to flee to Jordan, where he would live out the remainder of his youth until moving to Los Angeles. Drawing inspiration from his origins with influences that combine traditional Arabic music, R&B and hip-hop, Saint Levant embraces the plurality of his own cultural heritage, the Arab community worldwide and the Palestinian struggle. His songs – written in Arabic, French, and English – have captivated a global audience with their international appeal. His latest release, Deira, evokes a hotel overlooking the sea in Al-Rimal, Gaza City, designed and operated by his architect/entrepreneur father. Hotel Deira was once one of the most beautiful structures in the city and the place where Marwan called home – it has since been destroyed by IDF bombings over recent months. Saint Levant’s upcoming project imagines the hotel as a locale of return: a personal destination; a landmark symbolizing a free Palestine.
A pop prodigy with a tender voice, Maro shares his doubts and emotions in his songs. The melodies are perfectly crafted, set to soft but danceable instrumentals. In the vein of Ed Sheeran or Jason Mraz, the young Lebanese artist, with a smile on his face, will open the evening in style.
