Marwan Abdelhamid, known professionally as Saint Levant, was born in Jerusalem during the second Intifada to a French-Algerian mother and a Serbian-Palestinian father. He spent seven defining years growing up in Gaza, an experience that would later inspire his debut EP, From Gaza, With Love.
Drawing inspiration from his origins with influences that combine traditional Arabic music, R&B and hip-hop, Saint Levant embraces the plurality of his own cultural heritage, the Arab community worldwide and the Palestinian struggle abroad. His songs – written in Arabic, English and French – have captivated a global audience with their international appeal. This foundation culminated in DEIRA, his debut album – a project that laid the emotional and sonic groundwork for Saint Levant’s wider artistic world.
The AFANDI album marks a new chapter rooted in timeless elegance. Inspired by the effortless charisma of Arab icons such as George Wassouf and Kadim Al Saher, the project reimagines the AFANDI archetype’s sharply dressed, quiet confidence for a new era.
As his artistic world unfolds, Saint Levant’s influence continues to shape music, fashion and culture. He represents a generation redefining Arab artistry on its own terms – a legacy informed by an unwavering sense of identity. AFANDI recalls what we already knew: certain things never go out of style.
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