CANNES: Elyanna, the Palestinian-Chilean singer, captivated the audience with her heartfelt performance at MENA Night during the SRMG Beach Experience at Cannes Lions. The artist, who has been paving her own path in the music industry, shared her personal journey and emphasized the importance of authenticity.
Earlier in the day, Elyanna took the stage to discuss the Arab region’s growing international presence and her experience with music. She expressed her excitement about the collaboration and support among creatives and artists in the Arab world, aiming to elevate the region to new heights. Elyanna told Arab News, “We’re pushing to make sure that we get to the top.”
The talented singer recently made history by becoming the first artist to perform in Arabic at Coachella, the renowned music festival held annually in California. Known for her popular songs such as “Ghareeb Alay,” “Ala Bali,” and “Ana Lahale,” Elyanna has been instrumental in normalizing Arabic lyrics in Western regions throughout her career. She draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists, including Western musicians like Lana Del Ray and Beyonce, as well as Middle Eastern legends like Fayrouz.
Reflecting on her journey, Elyanna expressed her joy in being recognized for her unique artistic approach. Singing in Arabic and promoting her culture has been her passion since she was 15. She explained, “All I had to do was just be myself… Having the band on the tabla and oud, it’s different because it’s something they (audiences) haven’t seen before. I wanted to make sure we set the bar high.”
Elyanna Considers Launch of Billboard Arabia a Milestone for Arab Music
The launch of Billboard Arabia, a platform dedicated to measuring ongoing trends, success rates, and consumption of music by Arab and other Middle Eastern artists, is seen as a significant step forward for the industry. Elyanna, who grew up with Billboard magazine and its iconic Hot 100 chart, considers this development as a milestone for Arab music.
While sharing her experiences in the LA music scene and representing the diaspora, Elyanna chooses to respond to hate with positivity. She encourages aspiring artists to use criticism as motivation to achieve their goals. According to her, passion and determination can overcome obstacles, regardless of the field one chooses.
At Cannes Lions, where discussions centered around the evolving role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in innovation, Elyanna emphasized the irreplaceable human element in creativity. She believes that nothing can surpass the unique abilities of humans, such as emotions, heart, and creativity. While acknowledging the continuous growth of technology, she stressed the importance of artists finding their own paths and staying true to their craft.
