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Arab artistry has long shaped the global music conversation – and few artists have embodied that cultural influence like Saint Levant.
The singer stands as a cultural marker of Middle Eastern artistry – which has earned him a globally devoted following. The Palestinian-French-Algerian artist has become one of the defining voices of a new generation, seamlessly weaving his Middle Eastern heritage into every facet of his music. With a blend of cultural storytelling fused with a genre-defying discography, Saint Levant fuses alternative R&B, hip-hop and Arabic musical influences with effortless ease. Now, his next move takes it a step further – with a new album ‘Afandi’ on the horizon.
The album name ‘Afandi’ translates to the Arab term ‘gentleman’. The term was once widely used within the region to describe a well-dressed, educated gentleman. A fitting choice, as the artist is frequently championed for seamlessly transforming cultural narratives into contemporary musical expressions. The album is reportedly inspired by Arab musical legends such as George Wassouf and Kadim Al Saher, to depict an essence of timeless elegance. Frankly, few releases within the region have been able to spark as much excitement and online conversation.
The announcement was shared through Instagram, where Saint Levant unveiled Afandi with an album cover that felt more like a paparazzi snapshot than a traditional release. Dressed in a sharply tailored suit and dark sunglasses, the photo showed the artist in true celebrity glamour – a persona that was amplified by a bodyguard attempting to shield him from the camera. A visual that sets the tone for an era that is intentional in both storytelling and in its sound.
The news comes as little surprise for many, considering Saint Levant’s recent string of iconic collabs – which have further cemented the artist’s position at the forefront of the region’s music scene. As of late, the artist collaborated with Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe. She is largely known for her resounding influence on the region’s music scene, spanning throughout the past two decades. The iconic duo released two singles entitled ‘Mitsubishi’ and ‘Bahibek’. Additionally, the artist collaborated with renowned Egyptian singer TUL8TE for the hit single ‘NANO’.
As if a new album wasn’t enough, Saint Levant has also unveiled a global tour entitled ‘Layali Al Afandi’ running from August through December. Kicking off in Amman, Jordan on August 13, the tour will travel across North America, Europe and the Middle East before concluding with a finale in Dubai on December 19. With a rising presence as a defining voice within the region, Saint Levant’s artistry further carves out a distinct path for future talent within the Arab world. Making a new chapter for the artist and a new era for the music scene itself.
Unveiled on August 21, the album features 12 tracks, each alluding to the charisma and understated allure of an ‘Afandi’, a character associated in Arab culture with elegance, confidence, and a gentleman’s demeanour. The album includes his iconic collaboration with Haifa Wehbe ‘Mitsubishi’ and a collab with renowned Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf ‘Maskara.’ The album also features tracks such as Leil El-Sahranin, Sabah El-Ward, Cinderella, So What?, Monaya, Masla7jiya, Sahran W Nasi, Wardeh, Hawa and Rayih Wein. Across Afandi, the artist continues his signature move of giving ode his Palestinian roots to a global audience – further carving out a distinct path for Arab identity to me appreciated on a broader scale.
