Rasha Nahas

Rasha Nahas
رشا نحاس
Nahas at the 2024 World Music Expo
Nahas at the 2024 World Music Expo
Background information
Born (1996-05-10) 10 May 1996
Haifa
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2015–present
Labels
Member of
  • Kallemi
  • Sodassi

Rasha Nahas (Arabic: رشا نحاس, romanized: Rashā Naḥḥās; born 10 May 1996) is a Palestinian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist and actress based in Berlin.[1] She has released two albums Desert (2021) and Amrat (2023), the latter via Cooking Vinyl. She is also a member of the international ensemble Kallemi.

Early life

Nahas was born and raised in Haifa with family roots in Tarshiha.[2] Nahas trained in classical guitar.[3]

Career

Nahas first gained attention through an original song "Meen Bint Sgheeri" uploaded to YouTube in 2015 as part of a series titled Indigenous Sessions showcasing Palestinian musicians. She subsequently released her debut EP Am I in 2016. After performing at the first edition of Palestine Music Expo in Ramallah, she went on her first UK festival circuit,[3] which included performing on the Silver Hayes stage at the 2017 Glastonbury Music Festival.[4] Nahas relocated to Berlin in 2018. She co-founded the ensemble Kallemi with Jasmin Albash, La Nefera and Maysa Daw[5] and joined the collective Sodassi mentored by Kamilya Jubran, which includes Sama' and Dina El Wedidi.[3] After moving to Germany, Nahas began working in composition for dance and stage productions, including two plays at Thalia Theater in Hamburg.[6][7]

In the lead up to her debut album, Nahas released the singles "The Clown", "Desert" and "Tea Song".[8] After some delays related to the COVID-19 lockdown,[9] she released her debut album Desert in January 2021 through her own label, Rmad Records. It also had a vinyl release via Cargo Records.[10]

Later in 2021, Nahas signed with the British indie label Cooking Vinyl and released her first Arabic-language single "Al Madini".[11] Via Cooking Vinyl, her second album and first Arabic-language album Amrat was released in January 2023.[12][13] Singles ahead of its release included the title track;[14] Nahas also previewed the album at the London's Royal Festival Hall at Women of the World Festival.[15] Amrat includes collaborations with Dina El Wedidi and Terez Sliman. The album is described as an "exploration and celebration of her Palestinian identity".[16]

Nahas contributed to the second series of the Channel 4 sitcom We Are Lady Parts, which aired in 2024.[17] In 2025, Nahas released the single "Ghanneeli",[18] a collaboration with Jason Lindner and Jelmer De Haan and collaborated with Tamer Nafar and Nasir Al Bashir on "Rock It Like a Palestinian".[19] Nahas is set to make her feature film debut in Fly Little Bird directed by Johannes Bösiger; she also contributed to the film's soundtrack alongside Nitin Sawhney and Hugh Padgham.[20] Her third album, produced with Meshell Ndegeocello, is forthcoming.

Artistry

Nahas developed as a musician working in her hometown's underground music scene with local bands and musicians.[7] Nahas' early influences included Guns N' Roses, John Lennon, Queen, David Bowie and The Velvet Underground.[21] She also grew up listening to Fairuz, Kadim Al Sahir and Asmahan.[22] Her other influences include Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, PJ Harvey, Joni Mitchell, Mashrou' Leila and Soap Kills.[7][13]

Discography

Albums

  • Desert (2021)
  • Amrat (2023)

EPs

  • Am I (2016)

Singles

  • "The Clown" (2019)
  • "Desert" (2020)
  • "Tea Song" (2020)
  • "The Fall" (2020)
  • "Al Madini" (2021)
  • "Meen Bint Sgheeri" (2022)
  • "Ya Binti" (2022)
  • "Nbeed" (2022)
  • "Amrat" (2022)
  • "Ghanneeli" (2025)
  • "Rock It Like a Palestinian" (2025) with Tamer Nafar and Nasir Al Bashir

References

  1. ↑ "Rasha Nahas: The sounds of the Arab world meets Berlin's U8". The Berliner. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  2. ↑ Sajrawi, Vera (2 February 2023). "'What is this place I long for?' A Palestinian musician's healing journey". +972 Magazine. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Blondiau, Eloise (29 November 2018). "Meet the Palestinian rocker writing love songs and protest anthems". America. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  4. ↑ "Line-up 2017". Glastonbury Festival. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  5. ↑ Ralson, William (17 September 2019). "The rise of Palestinian pop". BBC News. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  6. ↑ Chemam, Melissa (2023). "Berlin-Based Palestinian Returns to Arabic in new Amrat Album - The Markaz Review". The Markaz Review. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 "Rasha Nahas on Alternative Rock Music From Palestine". Daftar. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  8. ↑ Saeed, Saeed (30 July 2020). "'I think everything I do makes sense:' get ready to discover Palestinian singer-songwriter Rasha Nahas". The National. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  9. ↑ Grundey, Adam (4 December 2020). "Palestinian musician Rasha Nahas discusses her long-delayed debut album". -Arab News. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  10. ↑ "Palestinian Singer/Songwriter Rasha Nahas Channels Intense Transitions on New Single 'Desert'". SceneNoise. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  11. ↑ "Berlin-Based Rasha Nahas Releases First Arabic Single 'Al Madini'". SceneNoise. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  12. ↑ Elnabawi, Maha (22 January 2023). "Rasha Nahas's Album 'Amrat', a Journey Back to Her Palestinian Roots". Scene Noise. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  13. 1 2 "Rasha Nahas Is Connecting The Palestinian Diaspora". Clash. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  14. ↑ "كتبته في برلين وسجلته في الجولان.. رشا نحاس تعلن عن ألبومها الجديد "أمرات"". Al-Anba (in Arabic). 17 September 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  15. ↑ "Palestinian singer Rasha Nahas to perform at London women's festival". Arab News. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  16. ↑ Toerkell, Liv (23 January 2023). "The Sometimes and The In-Betweens: Rasha Nahas on Amrat امرات". NBHAP. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  17. ↑ Poniewozik, James (29 May 2024). "No Sophomore Slump for 'We Are Lady Parts'". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  18. ↑ "Palestinian Artist Rasha Nahas Drops Poetic Single 'Ghanneeli'". SceneNoise. 15 June 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  19. ↑ "Shuffle - Nov 27 - Dec 10". CairoScene. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  20. ↑ Lodderhose, Diana (11 February 2026). "Former EOne Exec Rainer Grupe Joins Jovera Pictures; First Look Images For Company's Upcoming Pic 'Fly Little Bird'". Deadline. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Fifteen Questions Interview with Rasha Nahas". Fifteen Questions. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  22. ↑ Jahshan, Elias (19 February 2021). "From Palestine to Germany: Rasha Nahas pays homage to her cultural background with new album". The New Arab. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
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