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Bahraini-Palestinian singer and songwriter Banah Anabtawi has announced her regional and international tour in 2024, which will showcase her catchy fusion styles ‘Elektroniyat’ and ‘Jazziyat’, blending Arabic classics with international and modern touches.
“I grew up listening to jazz and soul, and enjoyed Frank Sinatra as well as Aretha Franklin and Fairouz. Even though my originals are more Arabic commercial pop, I felt I owed it to myself to do other genres that I love and enjoy, while also offering something new and different,” Banah told GulfWeekly.
She worked with Quentin Collins, one of the UK’s top jazz and commercial players, who rearranged all the Arabic classics to a pure jazz sound to create ‘Jazziyat’, which was first showcased at the London Jazz Festival in 2022 and again this year.
“I also started listening to electronic music recently and strangely enough deep house music gave me a sense of serenity and peace when I was stressed,” she said.
“I then thought of reviving our Arabic music jewels in a more electronic modern sound,” Banah added.
“I worked with Bahrain-based producer and DJ, Joel Gershom, who I knew would be able to take it to the next level.
“A first-of-its-kind concept, ‘Elektroniyat’ represents a unique journey into the realm of nostalgia, cherished Arabic classics, including those by the iconic Um Kulthum, Fairouz, [Mohamed] Abdelwahab and Mohammed Abdo; reinterpreted in contemporary electronic and dance-focused arrangements such as melodic house, melodic techno and afro-house.”
It debuted at MDLBEAST’s Soundstorm festival, held in Riyadh this month. Banah on vocals was joined by Joel, a popular name on the electronic music scene, with tracks regularly dropped by industry heavy-weights such as Paul Van Dyk, Chicane, and Aly & Fila to name a few.
The 2024 tour will promote ‘Jazziyat’ and ‘Elektroniyat’ in the region – UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. International performances include London, Geneva, Barcelona and Berlin.
“For Bahrain, I will leave that as a surprise,” exclaimed Banah.
As a child, Banah knew that music was her calling.
“When I was in school, I entered all the plays and musicals, realising that it’s what I enjoy the most,” she said. “I was worried that perhaps it’s a very difficult industry to enter, so I studied business and worked in the corporate world for 12 years before officially entering this path.”
Banah entered a musical talent show Ahla Swat and was shortlisted, but had to withdraw when she got pregnant with her first daughter.
“I began to work on my vocal skills by taking Arabic singing lessons, until I decided to release my first single in the summer of 2019,” she said.
Banah is a fine role model for those passionate about music but are hesitant to pursue it.
“It’s not about making it to Hollywood or having your music on the top charts,” she said, adding that what matters most is living life with a purpose and doing what you love.
She encourages starting small, learning skills and meeting like-minded people.
“Those small steps will make you happier – you owe it to yourself,” she added.
Banah signed with Universal Music MENA with 12 singles which have entered music charts and trended on digital platforms. She has garnered a total of 11 million YouTube views, as well social media followers.
Through her original music, Banah has a total of 1.6m audio streams. She has worked with some of the top names in the Arabic music industry, from songwriters to producers, including Omar Sabbagh, Pierre Hayek, and Yehya Al Hassan.
Banah’s first single ShouHelouNihna has more than 990,000 views on YouTube, and her second single Aal Baal had reached 400,000 views in less than a month. It was broadcast on various Arab TV channels and radio stations.
For more details, follow @BanahOfficial on Instagram.
