Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna made history at Coachella this year for being the first artist to perform a full set in Arabic at the California festival.
In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business, Elyanna expressed her immense gratitude for representing the Arab world through her genre-bending performance that challenges stereotypes and pushes the boundaries of conventional Arabic music.
“I feel like I took a risk by singing in another language. I just believed in it. I wanted to be part of a bigger purpose, I just did it blindly to be fully honest with you, because I believe in Arabic [music], I believe in my art, music and vision.”
Elyanna makes history
Known for her hits ‘Ghareeb Alay’ and ‘Ala Bali,’ Elyanna made history as the first Palestinian performer to take the stage at the American mega-festival – which ran from April 14 to 23, and boldly delivered the entire set in Arabic, without any hesitation.
“I wasn’t hesitant at all. I was there because I was doing something different and because I did not have to change anything about myself. I did not have to sing in English or any other language in order to be in Coachella. I think that’s why I was there – I was doing something that they haven’t seen before and wasn’t on any stage ever at Coachella.”
“I worked extra hard because sometimes people expect less when you’re the first [to do something]. I wanted to make sure they see that we do not settle, we make sure that we are on top and we push to the max.”
The set list included her Egyptian pop hit ‘Ana Lahale,’ an Arabic cover of ‘La Vie en Rose’ titled ‘Al Kawn Janni Mawk,’ as well as a debut of her unreleased single ‘Janene Orrr.’ She also sang tracks from her two Eps ‘Elyanna’ and ‘Elyanhna II.’
Also on stage was her brother who played the keyboard throughout the whole performance. They both performed a cover of the classic Egyptian ballad ‘Awhak,’ which the pair used to sing growing up.
The performance was heavily influenced by Arabic culture, with instruments that would typically be used in Arabic music performances some of which included a Tableh and Derbakkeh – two types of drums – as well as an Oud, a type of guitar used in many Arabic folklore songs.
“Even the way I danced, it was belly dance but still, it had so much swag and attitude with hip-hop so I feel like the fusion was so strong and it was such a strong representation,” the 21-year-old singer said.”
She waved a traditional Palestinian Keffiyeh, a black and white scarf symbolic of Palestinian nationalism, before walking offstage to cheers from her fans.
“I’m representing [Arabic music] in my way, in my world, in my style that I have been building for years. I would say that it was Arabic but it was Rockstar Arabic – it was Arabic Punk. It was just interesting and different and I knew that I was going there to sing in Arabic and represent my culture but that did not stop me from being who I am and doing my thing in my style.
“I had zero limitations when it came to the performance and I wanted to do my thing, dance in my way and wear what I wanted to wear because that’s how I feel.”
Since then, the performance has made headlines across the world, including in the US, the Latin world and several Western countries.
“The performance definitely got a lot of attention. I’ve been receiving so much love and amazing messages from young girls and young Arabs in general who told me they felt so inspired and I mean, that was my whole purpose.
“I want them to look back at this performance and believe that they are also capable of doing these things.
“I want to represent, I feel like I want to be a part of a bigger purpose, I want to be out there supporting and celebrating Arabs all around the world and I want them to believe that if I was able to do it, then they can do it too.”
Elyanna said that she found it quite difficult to start making Arabic music, especially as an immigrant whose music career in the language began in the US.
“It was a big challenge for me because I did not grow up singing Arabic music. I started making Arabic music in America, which was such a rare thing to do.”
“I’m an Arab and an immigrant. I know what it’s like to be an Arab outside of your home [country] – it is not easy. I want to represent. I feel like I want to be a part of a bigger purpose, I want to be out there supporting and celebrating Arabs all around the world and I want them to believe that if I was able to do it, then they can do it too.”
“I worked really hard to get to this point, and to be able to represent Arabs all around the world in Coachella means the world to me and I’m very happy that for the very first time at Coachella, we heard Arabic. So I’m so honoured and grateful and there’s going to be so much more to come and to achieve.”
At the end of the interview, she teased that her next album, which is already in the works, will be “very unique and different.”
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