Saint Levant wows Coachella crowd with powerful Palestinian message

Saint Levant, a Palestinian-French-Algerian-Serbian rapper, delivered a powerful performance at Coachella, captivating the audience with his electrifying beats and poignant message of solidarity with Palestine. Despite facing competition from the highly-anticipated No Doubt reunion, Saint Levant managed to attract a large crowd to the Gobi Tent, where fans, adorned with keffiyehs and Palestinian flags, enthusiastically embraced his performance.

The 23-year-old artist, known offstage as Marwan Abdelhamid, shared his diverse background with the audience, having spent his early years in the Gaza Strip before moving to Jordan and eventually settling in Los Angeles. His deep connection to Gaza was evident as he declared, 'My name is Saint Levant, and I was born in Jerusalem and raised in Gaza,' shedding light on the ongoing struggles faced by the people of Palestine.

Saint Levant's set featured a mix of his popular hits and newer tracks, such as 'Deira' and '5am in Paris,' which explore themes of exile and displacement, reflecting both his personal journey and the broader Palestinian narrative. Addressing the crowd, he emphasized the plight of Gaza, stating, 'The people of Gaza have been undergoing a brutal genocide for the past six months, and the people of Palestine have been enduring a brutal occupation for the past 75 years.'

His presence at Coachella resonated deeply with attendees, including festival-goer Yara Brenton, who described the experience as 'incredible' and highlighted the significance of Saint Levant's advocacy for the Palestinian cause. Reflecting on the growing awareness of Palestine, Brenton noted, 'There are a lot more people who know about Palestine today, and there's no going back from this awareness.'

Saint Levant's performance at Coachella follows in the footsteps of other Palestinian artists like Elyanna, underscoring the importance of using art as a platform to raise awareness and amplify marginalized voices. Through his music, Saint Levant continues to inspire change and advocate for justice, leaving a lasting impact on the festival and beyond.