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Marwan Abdelhamid, known professionally as Saint Levant, was born in Jerusalem during the second Intifada to a French-Algerian mother and a Serbian-Palestinian father. He spent seven defining years growing up in Gaza, an experience that would later inspire his debut EP, From Gaza, With Love.
Drawing inspiration from his origins with influences that combine traditional Arabic music, R&B and hip-hop, Saint Levant embraces the plurality of his own cultural heritage, the Arab community worldwide and the Palestinian struggle abroad. His songs – written in Arabic, English and French – have captivated a global audience with their international appeal. This foundation culminated in DEIRA, his debut album – a project that laid the emotional and sonic groundwork for Saint Levant’s wider artistic world.
Released on Valentine’s Day, Love Letters / رسائل حب marked a turning point in Saint Levant’s artistic evolution. The project explores different facets of his world – triumphant, reflective, hopeful and heartfelt – through an A-side rooted in Arab and North African musical traditions and a B-side inspired by Western ’80s funk and contemporary pop. Following its success, Saint Levant expanded the project with Love Letters / رسائل حب (Deluxe), featuring collaborations with Fares Sokar, NORDO and Babylone, further cementing his position as an artist whose work moves easily between cultures, geographies and genres.Released on Valentine’s Day, Love Letters / rsayl hb marked a turning point in Saint Levant’s artistic evolution. The project explores different facets of his world – triumphant, reflective, hopeful and heartfelt – through an A-side rooted in Arab and North African musical traditions and a B-side inspired by Western ’80s funk and contemporary pop. Following its success, Saint Levant expanded the project with Love Letters / rsayl hb (Deluxe), featuring collaborations with Fares Sokar, NORDO and Babylone, further cementing his position as an artist whose work moves easily between cultures, geographies and genres.
The AFANDI album marks a new chapter rooted in timeless elegance. Inspired by the effortless charisma of Arab icons such as George Wassouf and Kadim Al Saher, the project reimagines the AFANDI archetype’s sharply dressed, quiet confidence for a new era.
As his artistic world unfolds, Saint Levant’s influence continues to shape music, fashion and culture. He represents a generation redefining Arab artistry on its own terms – a legacy informed by an unwavering sense of identity. AFANDI recalls what we already knew: certain things never go out of style.
Event presented by Crystal Ballroom. HowDidIMissThat.com is an independent listing and does not organize this event.
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