Cyrus Kyle Langhorne 4/15/24 Cyrus Kyle Langhorne 4/15/24

Saint Levant: Forget going viral, it's about going international in the '5am in Paris' music video

Ready to think outside the box? Look no further than what hip-hop crooner Saint Levant is serving up to the world courtesy of a new ‘5am in Paris’ music video. Whether you know the words or could use a little translation, you’re covered in this newly launched visual.

The song takes you into another world and the visual glows from start to finish. Embrace the amazingness.

Visionary Palestinian-Algerian artist, Saint Levant, unveils his latest single, "5am in Paris," via Universal Arabic Music. The track, produced by 2048, is a seamless blend of English, French, and Arabic set against a brooding, cinematic instrumental. In "5am in Paris," Saint Levant acknowledges the fragmented nature of his identity, effortlessly gliding through language and space without ever feeling completely at home in one place. Listen HERE.
Directed by Carlos Ramirez, with Rashid Abdelhamid serving as executive producer and Pedro Damasceno as creative director, the video is a mesmerizing journey through language and sound, transporting viewers into a world of an Arab-Futurist, North African Neo-Noir film. Watch HERE.

At its core, “5am in Paris'' serves as a profound reflection of Saint Levant’s intricate identity and lived experiences. With poignant references to his upbringing in Gaza, his mother's hometown of Algiers, and time spent between Paris and Los Angeles, the song delves into themes of displacement, belonging, and the eternal quest for identity.
Earlier this year, Saint Levant paid tribute to Palestinian culture by collaborating with MC Abdul on the single “Deira.” The two Gazan artists showcased their talents in traditional Shaabi arab musical style, following Saint Levant’s recent signing to the iconic Universal Arabic Music (UAM), a label founded by Wassim ‘Sal’ Slaiby, manager of The Weeknd and CEO of XO.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Saint Levant is set to perform at Coachella, further solidifying his position as a dynamic force in the global music scene.

Cyrus Kyle Langhorne 2/26/24 Cyrus Kyle Langhorne 2/26/24

Saint Levant: It's a country setting for the 'Deira' music video

Want to feel some international flexing? Look no further than what Saint Levant and MC Abdul are providing for the masses. The duo team up and take their ‘Deira’ song to the video setting.

Legit and fire from start to finish. Tap in and feel the inspiration.

In a tribute to Palestinian culture, Saint Levant and MC Abdul join forces to release ‘Deira’, which sees the two Gazan artists showcase their talents in traditional Shaabi arab musical style. Having recently signed to the iconic Universal Arabic Music (UAM), a label founded by Wassim ‘Sal’ Slaiby, manager of The Weeknd and CEO of XO, “Deira’ marks an exciting milestone in Saint Levant’s career.
“Deira is the name of the hotel that my father Rashid, an architect, built with my mother in 2000 when they moved to Gaza. Deira means The Kasbah or the old city. He built this hotel with mud because it was impossible to import cement at the time. Located on the beach, this hotel was one of the most beautiful in Gaza, made up of 22 rooms. It was a true architectural marvel. On July 16, 2014, four children playing ball out front of the hotel were killed by Israeli rocket fire and most recently the hotel was totally destroyed by bombing 3 months ago.
This song is also a celebration of Palestinian daily life. With a sound inspired by Dahmane El Harrachi, considered the great master of Algerian chaâbi, Deira is anchored in Algerian culture through its sound (where my mother is from) and in Palestinian culture through its words (the land of my father). Deira represents represents a mix of my parents' cultures” -Saint Levant

On the track and in the video, Saint Levant collaborates with MC Abdul, a talented Palestinian rapper who is fifteen years old and originates from Gaza. The music video shows life in the Arab world through a romantic, nostalgic lens that is rarely front and center in depictions of the region.
MC Abdul said: “I’m so happy for this release. It was such an exciting experience for me to be part of this song. This is for my people, this song is for Palestine. And I’m happy I shot this in Jordan with my brother Saint Levant. I can’t wait for us to perform it together.
The past few months have been very tough on me. I got out of Gaza a month before the war started so I can wrap up some songs and make new releases for my fans. I never realized things would go completely upside down. Some of my family members, friends, neighbors and relatives have passed away from the war. Music is my therapy and I wanted to express myself through this amazing song. It is my comeback song since a few months ago. I will always speak out and represent the culture.”
Saint Levant, a singer, rapper, and songwriter of Palestinian, Algerian, French, and Serbian descent, is currently based in Los Angeles.
MC Abdul, a 15 year old Palestinian rapper from Gaza who spreads peace, love and unity through music and has become a viral sensation.
*Dahmane El Harrachi, an Algerian Chaâbi singer with Chaoui heritage, gained recognition as the most renowned Chaabi artist through his widely translated and acclaimed song, "Ya Rayah." He relocated to France in 1949, initially residing in Lille and Marseille, before finally establishing himself in Paris.
*Chaabi, a traditional music genre originating from Algiers, Algeria, is deeply rooted in the historic Casbah. Despite its relatively recent inception in the 1930s, chaabi music has retained its immense popularity to this day. This vibrant style is characterized by melancholic vocals in Arabic and Berber, harmonizing with the orchestral accompaniment of a twelve-member ensemble. This ensemble consists of violins and mandolins whose melodies fluctuate and intertwine with the evocative piano notes while being complemented by the rhythmic beats of percussion instruments.
*Aï, also referred to as rai, is an Algerian folk music genre that originated in the 1920s. Unlike Chaabi singers who are called sheikh, performers of Raï are known as cheb. This musical tradition emerged primarily among the impoverished communities of Oran city.