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, including living under the occupation, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Whether he's performing in a wedding dress or singing about LGBTQ+ issues, Bashar is always taking risks. As an Arab living in Jerusalem, he is constantly challenging several of the conservative 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.
RELEASES
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 few years, Bashar has steadily built a YouTube 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”.