On Reclaiming Our Narrative & the Power of Dabke | Zeyne at XP Air

Description

Zeyne joins Quartertones after her performance at XP Air and discusses her journey from being too shy to share her voice to becoming an artist who finds empowerment in letting her art out. She reflects on the influences of her family who instilled in her a love for music, Arab culture, and the Palestinian cause. Growing up taking vocal and piano lessons Zeyne shares that she only recently started writing lyrics, having previously focused on composing. The conversation delves into the unique power and cultural significance of Dabke, which she considers underrated. She asserts that her generation of Arab artists is more daring and edgy in delivering messages, marking a new wave in Arabic music that is honest and empowering. She speaks about the importance of reclaiming the Arab narrative and using art as a form of social justice. Finally, she shares the story behind her song "Bali" from her album Awda, a track that was intensely personal and helped unlock a creative block. Explore XP Air 👉 https://www.instagram.com/xpmusicfutures/ 0:00 Introduction 1:35 Sharing Her Voice Pre-COVID 3:27 How An Early Producer Encouraged Her To Write Her Own Music 5:17 From Composer to Lyricist: Finding Her Voice in Writing 6:57 Why She Hid Her Singing Talent Growing Up 7:31 Vocal Lessons as a Holy Place 8:45 Parental Influences: Music, Culture, and the Palestinian Cause 11:22 Dabke: Underrated, Essential, and Rich in Culture 13:42 Reclaiming Our Narrative 14:39 Navigating the Music Industry's Reputation 16:56 Family Support 17:55 Camaraderie and the New Wave of Arab Artists 19:49 The Story Behind "Bali" and the Awda Album Zeyne first burst onto the music scene in early 2021 with her debut single "Minni Ana" and two years later, her body of work has garnered over 48 million streams. As an ambassador for Equal Arabia, her influence extends beyond music, lighting up Times Square and championing important causes through her artistry and public presence. Her groundbreaking debut on the renowned COLORS show with "Ma Bansak" marked her