A message from Palestinian-Jordanian artist zeyne

COLORS x EDITORIAL | ARTIST INTERVIEWS

Earlier this week, Palestinian-Jordanian singer and songwriter zeyne graced the COLORS stage with a spellbinding performance of her new single ‘Ma Bansak’. Following her show, she sat down for an interview about her music, and what freedom, resilience, and hope mean to her. She also shared that for her “standing for humanity is standing for Palestine… The least we can do is be informed and fight against the injustices in the world.”

We invite you to watch zeyne’s interview with an open heart. We’ve also shared a personal message from zeyne below, which has been transcribed from a voice note she sent us in the lead up to her show recording.

“Hello. Hi. Zeyne here.

I’m not sure who’s listening to this, but I hope you’re well.

I hope you’re doing ok.

I’m tripping out currently because I can’t believe that I’m about to be on A COLORS SHOW.

This is something that’s been on my mind for the past two weeks.

The reason I say that is because during my years at uni, when I used to live in Brighton, back in 2016 until 2019, I used to watch that show every single night when I didn’t want to go out. I got introduced to so many of my favorite artists through that show. I’ve always been a fan of the concept. So, it really freaks me out that I’m about to be on that show, and it feels like a full circle moment for me.

It feels surreal.

I’m super grateful, and I’m super blessed, but I’m also in awe of how life works.

You know, you go through the highs and the lows, but you never expect some of the dreams to come true. For that I’m blessed. I’m grateful. Hamdullah.

But I also want to talk about something that’s been on my mind for the past few months, something that I have had to live with for the past 25 years, which is the ongoing occupation in Palestine, and more specifically now, the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

This is not something that happened recently, this is something that’s been going on for 75 years.

It’s a 75 year long occupation.

And it really hurts my heart and soul to see my people being displaced, and killed, and ethnically cleansed everyday.

I truly do believe that Palestine will be free one day. I see the narrative shifting. I see more, and more people learning more about it, and knowing the truth. You know how the media is—sometimes propaganda pushes you towards another narrative.

But I feel like the real narrative is coming out now. That gives me so much hope. Even if Palestine is not free in my lifetime, at least I know it’s going to be free in the next lifetime, or in the one after that.

And yeah, I’m hopeful, but I’m also sad. My heart is now currently in Gaza, and with the children of Gaza specifically. 50% of the population in Gaza are children, which is crazy.

So, it really infuriates me… infuriates me.

Yeah, I can’t speak.

I’m overwhelmed.

But I hope you do look into it, and I hope you do see the light, and the truth. I’m sending you so much love, to whoever is listening to me.

I’m sending so much love, seriously, because I think that’s always needed in the world.

So, yeah, take care.”

zeyne is a Palestinian-Jordanian singer and songwriter whose A COLORS SHOW was released on the 12th February 2024. You can watch the full performance on our YouTube channel.

Text: zeyne
Photography: Megan Courtis