FollowJowan Safadi, started his career as a singer, songwriter and frontman of “Lenses”, a project that he collaborated on with Israeli musicians, and which was active until late 2007 producing 3 studio albums of experimental rock.
Jowan’s solo breakthrough kicked off in 2008 when his single “Ghool” topped local radio charts, captivating underground audiences with its fuzzy electro rock sound. This was followed by a series of enticing singles until his debut solo album “Namrud” was finally released. Smoothly fusing punk-rock aesthetics with Arabic grooves and intonations, it included songs such as “Electricity” and quirky parody “Poor Infidels” which rapidly became an anthem for fans across the Arab world. “Poor Infidels” also subsequently led to his detention in Jordan, for which Jowan was accused of blasphemy.
While Jowan’s lyrics can be controversial – subtly toned with his personal reflections on a wide range of issues related to politics, religion and philosophy, and sexuality – these fundamental components are what gives his work a rare and revealing authenticity, making him one of the most influential contemporary artists in the Arabic scene. Jowan made headlines recently and reached Israeli, Palestinian and international media with his controversial song “To Be an Arab”, on which he sings in Hebrew for the first time, carrying a strong message to the racist Israeli society.