ABOUT
Bashar Murad is a Palestinian 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.
Whether he's performing in a wedding dress or singing about flying with pink balloons over the hills of Jerusalem, Bashar is always taking risks. As an Arab living in Jerusalem, he is constantly challenging several of the patriarchal elements of his society. "I try to be respectful to people but also try not to," says Bashar. As an example, he mentions his song “Ilkul 3am Bitjawaz” (Everyone's Getting Married), which riffs on society's traditional view of marriage. In the video Bashar plays the priest, the waiter, the groom and the bride, challenging and breaking gender roles.
Bashar released “Klefi/Samed”, a collaboration with Icelandic Industrial Punk band Hatari, who gained attention for unfurling 'Palestine' scarves during the results show of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest held at Tel Aviv, Isreal. Bashar also performed with them on Icelandic television.
Released on the eve of Hatari’s post-Eurovision tour of Iceland—during which Bashar appeared onstage as a guest — the video attracted massive attention, especially for the striking visual of raising the Palestinian flag.
Over a few years, Bashar has steadily built a following through songs sung in Arabic and English, accompanied by his self produced videos. Like other musicians, Bashar's career has reached new heights with the launch of music streaming platforms in the region, enabling him to overcome restrictions that limit the movement of Palestinians.
He has been featured in articles from CBC, The Guardian, the Globe and Mail and the BBC, with the press describing him as “The Palestinian singer blurring gender lines” and a “slightly built, mild mannered Arabic provocateur”.
In 2021 Bashar Murad signed a deal with PopArabia to produce his debut EP, "Maskhara", which included hits like "Maskhara", "Antenne Ft. Tamer Nafar", and "Intifada On The Dance Floor. After the pandemic Bashar has resumed touring internationally recently performing in Europe & North America.
As we move into the present, Bashar Murad is gearing up for his second EP titled "Nafas," which is slated for release later this year. In June 2023, he unveiled the first track from the upcoming EP, titled "Ya Lel." This mesmerizing song, accompanied by captivating visuals, delves into a darker world, setting the stage for the next chapter in Bashar's artistic journey.