Banah is a singer and a music artist based in Bahrain. Her passion for oriental, classical, and modern music styles ever since she was young led her to become an independent singer with hundreds of thousands views on her social media channels. Juggling the life of being a mother of two, a radio host, and a singer, she powerfully demonstrates the successes and challenges of being a female artist from the Middle East.
At 33-years-old, Banah has achieved so much in her life. She holds a degree in Business Administration, previously owned a marketing agency, was once a banker and a personal trainer, and is currently working as a radio presenter. She truly has done it all, while still journeying towards becoming an amazing independent singer. All of these achievements were not handed to Banah on a golden platter, as she had to work hard to reach the level of success she is experiencing today.
What makes Banah’s music and live performances unique is the fact that she sings in both Arabic and English. As she says herself, “I’ve always had both of these influences in my life.” ِSince Banah’s childhood, she listened to legends like Um Kulthum, Abdel Halim Hafez, and her personal favorite, Fairouz. But, at the same time, she also listened to Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, and so many more prominent Western artists.
As an independent singer, Banah started her musical journey with mashups that showcased her ability to sing in both Arabic and English. Her first mashup effortlessly combined a Nancy Sinatra song with a Fairouz track, “It was a fusion and I thought that was the best way to show the best of both worlds, to have the English and Arabic, because I love both equally. These mashups are great, they give good exposure and good publicity,” says Banah.
Instead of simply adding unique fusions, Banah has already released four original singles, and they are all in Arabic. Even though the singles are in Arabic, Banah remains to join both Eastern and Western musical influences in her live performances and concerts. If you ever catch the artists at a concert, you’ll witness her performing with Arabic music followed by an English one throughout the entirety of the show. Banah focuses on this point because this is the format of a live performance that she is trying to create. As she states, “I believe today there are no artists doing this, you will go to a concert that is strictly Arabic or strictly English.”
Every artist comes alive during a live performance, and that is not the only reason why artists are in love with stage performances. When performing or recording in a studio, there are certain techniques to follow, and a certain mindset. Meanwhile, when an artist is on stage, the food to their soulful songs is the audience, and Banah never got over that feeling. As she says, “It’s so nice to be able to sing something and move someone, and immediately see that reaction. it’s so different when you see it live, it’s very inspiring.”
With the four singles Banah has released, each discusses an important subject. That is usually the case when it comes to Arabic music, it’s all about the lyrics and the storyline. “Shou Helou Nihna” is the title of Banah’s first single, and is about an independent woman who is in love but also already feels complete, and not because she is with someone who completes her. She sings about a sense of inner completion, a rare feeling in and of itself, “I like to sing about some things that have substance,” says Banah.
An educated mind, with a soul full of passionate music and expression, Banah has come across challenges throughout her journey. Performing music within the GCC can still be seen as taboo, and that alone carries its own hardships, specifically when it comes to a female artist. Pursuing her dreams while being a mother of two daughters as well as a wife to a supportive husband is a tricky path to balance and navigate.
“I think motherhood is the biggest thing I ever did, and I think doing music and motherhood made me a happier mom, and when you’re a happier mom you’re a better mom. So they are definitely very much linked,” says Banah. Come to think of it, who wouldn’t want to be such an inspiring role model for their family? Banah can hardly explain the joy within her once she comes up on TV or the radio while she’s with her family, they are all happily touched by her success
The Middle Eastern music scene clearly signifies that there is a hunger for real, authentic music, and for an unheard sound. That is what Banah is presenting to her audiences all over the region—originality at its best, with a fusion between two completely different continents. The fact is, Banah is a female independent artist who has invested the time, money, overcame challenges and raised a family towards, eventually, becoming her own boss, and making her own decisions today.
Banah’s dream performance is one that every Middle Eastern artist should aspire to, and it is “to be able to perform worldwide, to be able to perform in an opera house in Europe doing Arabic music, brining those old classics back with a twist.” and we, personally, can’t wait for that day to arrive!
For more information, follow @banahofficial on Instagram. Make sure you check out her YouTube channel and Anghami for her latest singles, or simply visit www.banahofficial.com.
