Pain, struggle and injustice are issues we face everyday, but how we cope with these difficulties matters the most. Some of us talk it out; others write about it. For Marwan Abdelhamid, a 20-year-old Palestinian musical artist based out of Southern California, his struggles are best represented through song.
Born in Jerusalem and raised in the Gaza Strip, Marwan has first-hand experience being treated as a “second-class” citizen. His Palestinian roots drive his passion when making music, especially in his newest drop, “Haifa in a Tesla.” Written as a freedom manifestation, Haifa is a town in Palestine that Marwan has no access to as of right now. One day, he hopes to be riding a Tesla through the city without being stopped at checkpoint, and “nobody will be able to say anything to me,” expresses Marwan.
So how did Marwan make his way into musical articulation? Growing up, he became proficient on the piano and saxophone, but his first taste of lyrical fame came about in high school. “My first ever song was a diss against another school, which kind of went viral,” he explains. Soon after, Marwan dissed a well-known Jordanian rapper. Long story short, the song leaked, the rapper responded, and Marwan was moments away from expulsion. It can be deduced that Marwan is willing to take risks for his music making. “At that point, it was all a joke, but deep down I always wanted to take it seriously,” he furthers.
Along with rapping about Palestine, Marwan also incorporates his beliefs into podcasting and content creation. He commends other Palestinian personnels for voicing their beliefs on their platforms— Bella Hadid is one in particular. Marwan also pays homage to the model in his newest song, “Haifa in a Tesla” “We need more Bella Hadids in this world,” says Marwan. Together, the two are making milestones.
Coupled with his producer, Blanco, who Marwan describes as “the most talented person” he’s ever met, music is the mission, and the pair finds unique ways to blend Arabic sounds into trap beats. As for challenges within the craft, Marwan struggles with space and privacy, as he lived with eleven people this past year in his local college town.
But that’s only a minor setback for the positive feedback he receives from listeners worldwide. “I get messages from people saying I’ve changed their lives; I’ve helped them become a better human being. What more could I want?” he states.
Debuting August 4th, Marwan is proud to release “Haifa in a Tesla” as a personal and Palestinian statement, as well as a perfect summer single that everyone can listen to. Marwan leaves this message for his dedicated and loving fans: “I appreciate every single one of them more than they can imagine. They mean the world to me.” So, why not show him some love, too?
Stream “Haifa in a Tesla” on Spotify and Apple Music. Keep up with what’s next from Marwan Abdelhamid on Instagram.
