Los Angeles-based Elyanna continued her rise toward international acclaim last year, further cementing her position as one of the defining Arabic artists and performers to emerge in the last five years. She’s currently finishing up her very first U.S. headlining tour, which concludes this month at The Observatory in Santa Ana on February 21st. As we look ahead at her plans for the new year we’ll also take one final glance back at all the things she accomplished in 2023!
This past year saw the drop of two singles: the hypnotic pop piece “MAMA EH” came first, followed by a rousing ode to her Levantine roots with “AL SHAM.” Both singles received equally mesmerizing music videos, replete with breathtaking choreography and grandiose imagery and showcasing Elyanna’s stalwart cultural swagger. Nowhere is she more powerful than when she’s performing and channeling her Arabic-Latin fusions.
Which is exactly what Elyanna spent most of the year doing — bringing her music to audiences around the globe. Some of those highlights included an onstage reunion with singer and producer Massari, one of the people who helped guide her in those fledgling years. She also made her Coachella Music Festival debut on the Gobi stage — smashing barriers and captivating her massive crowd as the first artist to sing their entire set in Arabic.
As if that wasn’t enough to unequivocally prove that language is far from being an insurmountable obstacle between artists and fans — as well as revealing an international demand for her music — Elyanna also gave sold-out performances at two iconic L.A. venues. After selling out The Roxy on the Sunset Strip, she was forced to add another date at the Wilshire situated El Rey Theatre. It was at that latter show that she offered up her collaboration on Tamally Maak‘s “Calling U.”
Yet, the sweetness of her success was tempered by the bitterness of the horrific realities taking place in Palestine. After initially postponing her U.S. tour, she unveiled a song she wrote with the help of her mother and brother, sharing a quieting and poignant video of her singing “Olive Branch.” Not long after she’d bring it like all her music to the international stage, performing it alongside her brother on piano at the El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt.
ARTISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
BEST NEW MUSIC
Elyanna refuses to lose sight of this tension between her desire to uplift her Palestinian culture and the active genocide being unleashed against it. She also never ceases to use the platform she’s built for herself as a means of enacting and generating some good.
In addition to all the proceeds from merchandise at her shows to support the children of Gaza, she also teamed up with PaliRoots to create a collection of accessories, with 100% of those purchases being donated to the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA). She endures as an inspiring and captivating artist whose climb toward renown elevates her voice with every passing year.
Words: Steven Ward
See Elyanna at The Observatory in Santa Ana on Wednesday, February 21st.
Visit Elyanna on her website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
This post may contain affiliate links. Ads and affiliate links are how independent blogs like Grimy Goods can operate. Thank you for supporting our work and being a part of our music community.
