Coachella has always been about the music, the spectacle, the experience. But in recent years, the festival has become a space where voices from across the globe find their place in the spotlight. Arab artists have played an important role in this expansion, bringing their own sounds and stories to the festival stage.
Elyanna made headlines in 2023 as the first artist to perform an entirely Arabic set at Coachella, opening a door for others to follow. This year, former YUNG cover star Saint Levant, a rapper of Palestinian, French, Algerian, and Serbian heritage, made his debut on the Coachella stage. His performance was striking in its intentionality, mirroring his self-described “5 AM in Paris” aesthetic with a simple, impactful outfit.
The 23-year-old packed the desert festival’s Gobi Tent, where he played both new songs and favorites like “Nails,” “From Gaza, With Love” and the popular “Very Few Friends” to a sea of fans, many sporting keffiyehs and waving Palestinian flags. There was a raw honesty to his set that cut through the festival hype as he launched into “Jerusalem Freestyle,” a fierce track from his earlier work, his lyrics switching seamlessly between Arabic, French, and English. Featured guest performers included Playyard, current YUNG cover star Bayou and Naïka as well as traditional drummers and dancers. A wave of emotion washed over the crowd when he played a livestream from Gaza, where singers there sang the revolutionary song “Sawf Nabqa Huna.”
“It’s not just me on the stage — it’s the whole Arab world on the stage,” the artist told the crowd to cheers.
The screens behind him became an extension of his message. Instead of abstract visuals, he used a mix of news footage and personal photographs – scenes of refugee camps, children cautiously navigating destroyed neighbourhoods, and protest marches.
In between songs, Saint Levant took the opportunity to connect directly with the audience, sharing stories of his life. His candor transformed the performance into a dialogue, creating space for greater understanding. As his set climaxed, the crowd responded with a roar of approval. Palestinian flags waved, fists were raised.
“It’s about exile,” he told his Coachella audience. “A feeling that us Palestinians know a bit too well.”
Saint Levant’s performance feels like a big step. His willingness to address issues head-on sets him apart, pushing the boundaries of what Arab representation at a major music festival can look like. But he’s not alone. Artists like French Montana (2018), Moroccan-born hip hop giant, and Palestinian DJ Sama Abdulhadi (2022) have each brought their distinct flavors to Coachella, each offering a unique lens into the sheer diversity of the Arab music scene.
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