Current:Home > NewsSaint Levant, rapper raised in Gaza, speaks out on 'brutal genocide' during Coachella set-InfoLens
Saint Levant, rapper raised in Gaza, speaks out on 'brutal genocide' during Coachella set
View Date:2024-12-23 15:47:24
Saint Levant, a Palestinian-French-Algerian-Serbian rapper, gave an energetic and charismatic performance at Coachella on Saturday and took the opportunity to speak out about the Israel-Hamas war.
“Coachella, my name is Saint Levant and I was born in Jerusalem and raised in Gaza,” he said. “As I hope all of you are aware, the people of Gaza have been undergoing a brutal, brutal genocide for the past six months. And the people of Palestine have been undergoing a brutal occupation for the past 75 years.”
The 23-year-old California-based musician, born Marwan Abdelhamid, is known for his advocacy for Palestinians and bringing attention to the conflict, which has resulted in the death of over 30,000 Palestinians and mass displacement in Gaza.
During his set, which started around 10 minutes late possibly due to technical difficulties, some fans had Palestinian flags and many were wearing keffiyeh, a traditional headdress in the Middle East that has become a symbol for Palestinian liberation and solidarity.
Before he took to the stage, audience members briefly began chanting his name and then “Free Palestine!” Saint Levant, however, later told the crowd that he couldn’t hear anything from his in-ear monitors.
Despite technical obstacles in his way, Saint Levant still entertained the crowd with a great set. He played new songs and favorites like “Nails,” “From Gaza, With Love” and the popular “Very Few Friends.” Featured guest performers included Playyard, Bayou and Naïka as well as traditional drummers and dancers.
He also performed “Deira” and “5am in Paris,” the latter of which was released just a few days ago.
“It’s about exile,” Saint Levant said, describing the new song. “A feeling that us Palestinians know a bit too well.”
He said he is going to release a project called Deira soon, which is named after a hotel that his dad built in Gaza that was bombed three months ago.
The Israel-Hamas war began Oct. 7, when Hamas militants brutally attacked Israeli border communities, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages. A subsequent bombardment of Gaza by Israel has left over 33,000 Palestinians dead and triggered a humanitarian crisis in the gutted enclave.
Saint Levant was joined by headliner Tyler, the Creator Blur, Ice Spice, Sublime, Bleachers, Grimes and Jon Batiste on Saturday's lineup. Weekend two will have the same lineup.
Contributing: Susan Miller and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY
veryGood! (656)
Related
- See Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's Winning NFL Outing With Kids Zuma and Apollo
- California wildfires prompt evacuations as a heat wave bakes the West
- Love Is Blind Season 4 Finale: Find Out Who Got Married and Who Broke Up
- Drought threatens coal plant operations — and electricity — across the West
- Amazon Prime Video to stream Diamond Sports' regional networks
- With Manchin deal, talk of Biden's climate emergency declaration may be dead
- Why Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ Kids Have Them Blocked on Social Media
- The Late Late Show With James Corden Shoots Down One Direction Reunion Rumors
- Krispy Kreme is giving free dozens to early customers on World Kindness Day
- New Zealand's national climate plan includes possibly seeking higher ground
Ranking
- Taking stock of bonds: Does the 60/40 rule still have a role in retirement savings?
- The U.S. in July set a new record for overnight warmth
- How Vanessa Hudgens Knew Cole Tucker Was the One to Marry
- Why Prince William and Kate Middleton Are Delighted With Prince George’s Role in Coronation
- 'The Penguin' spoilers! Colin Farrell spills on that 'dark' finale episode
- Get Thick, Natural-Looking Eyebrows With This $25 Deal on 2 Top-Selling Too Faced Products
- Once Again Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Prove to Be the King and Queen of Trolling
- Sarah Ferguson Is Not Invited to King Charles III's Coronation
Recommendation
-
The Daily Money: Markets react to Election 2024
-
Facing legislative failure, Biden announces incremental climate initiatives
-
People who want to visit the world's tallest living tree now risk a $5,000 fine
-
More than 3 feet of rain triggers evacuation warnings in Australia's largest city
-
All the Ways Megan Fox Hinted at Her Pregnancy With Machine Gun Kelly
-
A New Mexico firewatcher describes watching his world burn
-
A cataclysmic flood is coming for California. Climate change makes it more likely.
-
A record amount of seaweed is choking shores in the Caribbean