Rising Palestinian-Chilean pop icon Elyanna has just unveiled her highly anticipated debut album “Woledto”, which is set to release on April 12 via Universal Arabic Music. The album is meant to signify a new stage in her musical career, with the title meaning “I am born” in Arabic. Though it is her first album, she imagines it as much a rebirth as it is a beginning, an unveiling of who she is in her journey to global stardom.
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Elyanna’s debut album promises a unique cultural experience, largely inspired by her own mixed heritage. Blending Spanish-styled elements with Arabic and tribal styles, Elyanna’s vision for her album is extremely intentional and personal, intended to be a “journey through identity, love, rage and feminism”. According to her, it’s a project she’s wanted to do for a long time but only felt ready to do so now.
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Elyanna’s celebration of her heritage goes beyond this album and permeates all her work. In celebration of Arab Heritage Month, Elyanna will headline special shows at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on April 27th and at KOKO in London on May 6th. These performances are meant to showcase the beauty of Middle Eastern culture, integrating dazzling traditional imagery, traditional instruments, belly dancing, dabke, and more.
This dedication to her roots is evident even in her visuals. In her latest music video “Al Sham”, where symbolism intertwines with storytelling with motifs like the evil eye, Arabian swords, and golden hearts being found everywhere in the video to add to its atmosphere and narrative.
Having already achieved significant milestones like selling out her debut North American tour earlier this year, Elyanna’s album “Woledto” is poised to make a lasting impact in the music industry. Her career is one to pay attention to as she keeps pushing boundaries and redefining contemporary music with her unique blend of cultural influences and artistic expression.
