The Arab diaspora has always been present in all corners of the globe. In search of something "better," opportunities have driven our people everywhere, and in music, this is even more commonplace, as artists continue to look for different ways to grow and generate revenue beyond the limits of their home countries. Palestinians, Egyptians, Sudanese, Jordanians, Syrians, and artists from every other Arab nation are making a name for themselves and finding their audiences in various markets. As someone who became a part of the Lebanese diaspora in mid-2021, I will focus specifically on the Lebanese artists who are based abroad and whom I have had the pleasure of working with in the last few years. Needless to say, music is subjective: my taste is different from yours, and yours from mine. So while I'm aware of the endless number of Lebanese artists out there, I had to narrow my list down. The easiest way to do so was to highlight the Lebanese artists abroad that I've directly worked with since 2021.

Charif Megarbane

I have run out of superlatives for this guy. All of his projects are brilliant, but nothing hits home more than listening to his music (released under the Habibi Funk label) and seeing him perform live.

Jana Saleh

My business partner and music master. Whether it's her epic DJ sets, her beautiful live performances, or the impact she has had on Lebanese independent music, she's an all-star who deserves a lot more recognition for the impact of her work.

Rust

This electro-tarab duo – made up of Petra Hawi & Hany Manja – is based in Prague nowadays and is constantly touring across Europe, performing its excellent set to diverse audiences.

Louss

His first album release was in 2023. Singing in French, his music really strikes a chord with anyone who is looking for timeless ballads and a punch of rock that will slap you in the face when you least expect it.

Serge Nader

A man of many talents, Serge is a hustler above anything else. I had the pleasure of working with him on his releases in 2023 and his overall energy was extremely contagious. He’s a talented gem.

Yara Bou Karam

Based in Australia, Yara has performed live in various capacities for many years. But it wasn’t until 2023 that I had the pleasure of working with her for her first ever release, which got her great reviews and recognition.

Mazzika Orchestra

Europe’s Premier Arab Orchestra has been filling out venues across the continent. If you’re part of the Arab diaspora and you haven’t seen them yet, do yourself a favor and go watch them live. Working with them has been an absolute pleasure.

Zeid Hamdan

The Godfather of underground music in Lebanon. Now based in Paris and performing regularly with his many brilliant projects, you cannot ignore Zeid's impact on a generation of artists. We all have stories with Zeid and they’re all beautiful.

Sunkissed Child

One of our rising stars. She's based in London and making waves in the independent scene across the city. A little bit of swagger and a lot of talent, she's next in line for Lebanese artist that’s about to shine abroad.

Omar Abboud

Every time I've seen Omar do anything, I’ve been amazed. An incredible pianist, a genius in his own right, and one of my favorite artists out there. Based in New York, he performs sporadically, but when he does, it’s difficult not to shed a tear.

Andrea Azzi

If ever there was a definition for pure talent, she is it. I've known Andrea for a very long time, and every time I see her do anything – I'm blown away. An absolute beast of a pianist and one of the most humble people I'll ever meet.

That's my list, but there are so many more out there that I'm sure I'll get the chance to work with at some point. In the meantime, enjoy these ones!

Anthony Semaan Highlights Lebanese Musicians in the Diaspora