BAHRAINI singer and songwriter Banah Anabtawi, who goes by her stage name Banah, has released her first label single Shou Bina after signing with one of world’s leading music groups and record labels.
It is based on a poem by Pierre Hayek, who was one of Banah’s favourite poets growing up and has written for many artists in the Arab world.
The song describes couples who have been together for a long period of time and have perhaps lost the spark in their relationship.
This is Banah’s first single after signing with Universal Music MENA which has signed several established and up-and-coming musicians in the region. Their international label has signed top artists such as Kendrick Lamar, The Rolling Stones and Drake.
“The topic of the song is, to an extent, a taboo. However, Banah was inspired by the story of the song and how often couples face such issues, and wishes to showcase such conversations in her music, which include new and common subjects in life and love that are tackled with a positive, fun and constructive approach,” said a Press statement yesterday.
“Being an English singer, too, Banah was inspired by Western music which played a role in the melody and music arrangement of the new single.
“The song plays on the fusion of Western and Oriental instruments which have created a new one-of-a-kind sound which is rare in today’s Arabic music scene.
“The identity and style of the new single is very authentic to who Banah is as an artist and what she is trying to accomplish with her music.
Upbeat
“The song is considered fun, upbeat and takes a positive approach about relationships that lose their spark.”
The song is written by Mr Hayek, composed by Yehya Al Hassan and arranged by Omar Sabbagh.
The music video, which incorporates a Cirque de Soleil theme, was filmed in Beykoz, Istanbul and was directed by Fayez Ameen.
Banah has created a strong presence in the Arab music world in a short period of time, as she launched three singles in the past year, with her first single, Shou Helou Nihna, trending on YouTube with 990K views.
Her second single, Aal Baal, reached almost half a million views in less than six weeks, which was also broadcast on various TV channels and radio stations across the Arab region.
Banah is currently preparing for her next single which will be released before the end of the year.
&uuid=(email))