Bashar Murad is a Palestinian pop artist, singer\/songwriter, and filmmaker producing globally influenced pop music rooted in Palestinian spirit. His music challenges stereotypes and highlights social issues facing Palestinian youth that are seldom addressed in Palestine, including living under the occupation and within patriarchal settings. His music and work also address gender equality and gender diversity.<\/p>
Whether he\u2019s performing in a wedding dress or singing about gender diversity, Bashar is always taking risks and expanding critical thinking. As a Palestinian living in Jerusalem, he is constantly challenging several of the patriarchal elements of the societies that surround him. \u201cI try to be respectful to people but also try not to,\u201d says Bashar.<\/p>
In his song \u201cIlkul 3am Bitjawaz\u201d (Everyone\u2019s Getting Married), Bashar plays on society\u2019s normative view of marriage. He takes on the roles of priest, waiter, the groom, and the bride, challenging and breaking gender roles. Bashar is also a versatile and prolific collaborator. His single \u201cKlefi\/Samed\u201d was a collaboration with Icelandic industrial punk band Hatari, who gained attention for unfurling scarves with the Palestinian flag during the results show of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest held in Tel Aviv. Bashar also performed with them on Icelandic television and performed around Iceland, Roskilde Festival, and Tallinn Music Week.<\/p>
Bashar had reworked and produced an Anglo-Arabic rendition of Nina Simone\u2019s \u201cI Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free\u201d for the film \u201cA Gaza Weekend\u201d. This was followed by a tour in the UK performing at Outburst Arts Festival in Belfast, North of Ireland, The Water Rats in London and a double bill performance with Hatari at Hurra in Reykjavik, Iceland.<\/p>
Bashar has recently been performing in Europe and Canada, while collaborating with local artists during his shows. He performed in Canada at BSMT254 in Toronto accompanied by Nour Palestina and Canadian artist Tennyson King during the opening of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). His performance at Melahuset in Oslo was a pure joy for the audiences, working with Norwegian guitarist Erik Grove, while his Berlin performance at Hole 44 brought together fans old and new from across Berlin. He has just returned from the UK\u2019s Greenbelt Festival where he performed on the Glade Stage with his frequent collaborator Icelandic percussionist, producer and artist Einar Stefansson, alongside British saxophonist Sam Bambo.<\/p>
As a film director Bashar proudly produces spectacular and engaging visuals for his music, receiving critical engagement from his fans. His work has been featured in the CBC, the Globe & Mail, the BBC, Teen Vogue, and NPR. In January 2023 Bashar unveiled his second EP \u201cNafas\u201d via Levantine Music accompanied by captivating visuals, delving into a darker world.<\/p>
Shortly after the release of \u201cNafas\u201d Bashar competed in the Icelandic Eurovision National Selections, with \u201cWild West\u201d, produced by Icelandic artist and collaborator Einar Stefan. Bashar\u2019s participation sparked international media attention, where he finally landed in second place. Over the next months Bashar is set to release more of his works in English written in collaboration with Einar as part of a new body of work taking his skillful musical orchestration to new levels.<\/p>