Mashrou' Leila: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- June 24, 2016 by ANASTASIA TSIOULCAS • When we invited the band Mashrou' Leila to come play at the Tiny Desk, we couldn't have foreseen the timing.
The group arrived at our office the morning after the horrific June 12 shootings in Orlando at the gay nightclub Pulse. We were all collectively reeling from the news, and for this rock band from Beirut, Lebanon, the attack hung very heavily.
Mashrou' Leila is fronted by singer and lyricist Hamed Sinno, along with violinist Haig Papazian, keyboardist and guitarist Firas Abou Fakher, Ibrahim Badr on bass and drummer Carl Gerges: five young Beirutis whose family backgrounds reflect Lebanon's religious diversity.
Sinno is openly gay, and Mashrou' Leila is well acquainted with the targeting of LGBT people. The band has faced condemnation, bans and threats in its home region, including some from both Christian and Muslim sources, for what it calls "our political and religious beliefs and endorsement of gender equality and sexual freedom." And yet, when Mashrou' Leila performs in the U.S., its members are often tasked with representing the Middle East as a whole, being still one of the few Arab rock bands to book a North American tour.
After the attack on Pulse, the members of Mashrou' Leila decided to open their Tiny Desk set with "Maghawir" (Commandos), a song Sinno wrote in response to two nightclub shootings in Beirut - a tragic parallel to what happened in Orlando. In the Beirut incidents, which took place within a week of each other, two of the young victims were out celebrating their respective birthdays. "Maghawir" is a checklist of sorts about how to spend a birthday clubbing in the band's home city, but also a running commentary about machismo and the idea that big guns make big men.
"All the boys become men / Soldiers in the capital of the night," Sinno sings. "Shoop, shoop, shot you down ... We were just all together, painting the town / Where'd you disappear?" It was a terrible, and terribly fitting, response to the Florida shootings.
In all of its songs, Mashrou' Leila creates densely knotted wordplay; even the band's name has layers of meaning and resonance. The most common translation of "Mashrou' Leila" is "The Night Project," which tips to the group's beginnings back in 2008 in sessions at the American University of Beirut. But Leila is also the name of the protagonist in one of Arabic literature's most famous tales, the tragic love story of Leila and Majnun, a couple somewhat akin to Romeo and Juliet. Considering Mashrou' Leila's hyper-literary bent, it's hard not to hear that evocation.
In the second song, "Kalaam" (S/He), Sinno dives deep into the relationships between language and gender, and how language shapes perception and identity: "They wrote the country's borders upon my body, upon your body / In flesh-ligatured word / My word upon your word, as my body upon your body / Flesh-conjugated words." (The band has posted its own full English translations of these songs online.)
The title of the third song in Mashrou' Leila's set, "Djin," is a perfect distillation of that linguistic playfulness. In pre-Islamic Arabia and later in Islamic theology and texts, a djin (or jinn) is a supernatural creature; but here, Sinno also means gin, as in the alcoholic drink. "Liver baptized in gin," Sinno sings, "I dance to ward off the djin."
But you don't have to speak a word of Arabic, or get Mashrou' Leila's cerebral references, to appreciate its songs: deeply layered, darkly textured and sonically innovative. And sometimes, as Sinno says, the band's songs "are just about getting really messed up at a bar."
Ibn El Leil (Son Of The Night) is available now:
iTunes: itunes.apple.c...
Amazon: www.amazon.com...
Set List:
"Maghawir" (Commandos)
"Kalaam" (S/He)
"Djin"
Credits:
Producers: Anastasia Tsioulcas, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Claire Hannah Collins, Kara Frame; Production Assistant: Sophie Kemp; Photo: Ruby Wallau/NPR.
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/pod...
mashrou' leila are great. they are very brave. they sing about what are considered taboo subjects in the arab nation. and i totally adore them for that. they're a total revolution in the arabic music industry .
What I love in them is that they are not cliché when the do that
Trash
@@hxd3620 shu be rabbak
@@chadikteich3096 tsala🖕🏻
suggest Mashrou' leila songs for me, I love the song Wa nueid, but i don't know much about them
Is it just me, or is there just a certain, unique beauty within hearing songs sung in a language you don't speak.
it's not just you. doesn't it sound so peaceful and mesmerizing. guess that's how it goes
I do speak arabic but I can"t understand the lyrics because of the singing style...
Maghawir means something like "heroes", the intention seems to be ironical though...
I would say the majority here, Sweden, sings in a foreign language (english). It's a language most understand, of course, but sometimes, listening to songs in swedish can feel weird. You can get away with more in english.
I think it's great, I feel I don't take the lyrics in as words and can focus on vocals being another instrument if that makes sense
There is, when the songs are good, which isn't the case, in my opinion.
Bro these guys changed my taste in music. The most unique thing is how arabic is generally a language that flows and connects fluidly but he manages to sing in a chopped up style.
The singer's voice has so much power behind it. The emotion is captivating.
Mashrou' Leila + tiny desk concert = eargasm
Why is everyone in this band so gorgeous?
Lebanese
That's why
Someone has a facial hair fetish 😂 jk
You've got a type haha
They're all Lebanese thats why
maybe its cos you like beards
Kalaam is everything. I've listened to it every morning this week, five times in a row this morning. Gorgeous vocals, but I also love the bass line, and I like to watch the keyboard player finesse the music. Kalaam is the main reason I want to learn arabic, so I can sing it. I know, shallow.
While I'm talking, this is by far my favorite version of Maghawir.
Best of luck learning arabic as an native speaker it’s great to see someone wants to learn it
Luckily mashrou leila is well translated. As an arabic student, it can be a bit difficult with similar bands in lebanon to understand the words and the dialect.
Kalaam is also my favourite song, it never gets old only deeper.
The Lebanese people don’t cease to impress me. They are so resilient, welcoming, friendly, cultured and fun.
Thank you, you are kind :D
Boy would you love Easton pa
you forgot something very important, lebanon guys are also very sexy
I agree
This band is the only thing that made me feel safe and not alone as an arab lesbian...... thank you so much 💜
I love this band for this very reason, helping all the people that feel like they're fighting injustice and discrimination alone.
hey you’re not alone 🏳️🌈💓
❤️
god same i feel so proud of my identity when i listen to them 🏳️🌈❤️
i am arab and lesbian you are not alone :)
from lebanon, love seeing local talents on a worldwide platform! awesome
So sad that they disbanded... I discovered them a few years ago thanks to a documentary - it was instant love! 💔
hii.mind Linking the documentary? thanks
@@livelyleen I've searched for it but it doesn't seem to be available online, sorry. It was part of a German tv program several years ago.
اذا استغربت من تصرفات او حركات حامد سنو , هذه الوجيه التعبيريه تساعد الانسان ليطلع صوته بشكل افضل بكتير , و بقيه المغنيين م بيستعملو هالتعابير لان اصلا اغانيهم مسجله وليس من هم من يغنوها بالحفلات الموسيقيه , لكن مشروع ليلى اختلفت بان جميع عروضها الموسيقيه كانت غير معدله او كان الاغنيه شغاله من المسجل , لهيك بحب مشروع ليلى و خصوصا حامد سنو و هايغ , كل الحب و التقدير
🎉
I was on an Arabic flight recently; the music channels had a lot of Arabic music and I turned to a nearby passenger and asked if he knew of Mashrou leila, because he was Lebanese. I said they were a bit " haram", he said it's all Haram: love cannot be channelled into societally proper shapes, after all.
has nothing to do with love, it's a cultural thing..
depends on his surroundings, the further away you get from beirut, the more people consider things 'haram'. The christian areas are usually more open-minded.
@@rogernajm7447 although it was Christian nationalists who shut down the Byblos concert by armed threat
he invented singing in arabic cursive
Omg you're so right
Realllll
who's here revisiting this gem after the explosion in Beirut 💙
i've been a fan of Mashrou Leila since 2019, this was my first introduction to them. I return to this video over and over again. the power and beauty in their music, there's nothing like it. their lyrics are so clever! And I don't even speak Arabic, just based on the translations there's so many layers and references, so it must be even more meaningful in the original language. I'll always love their music, and in particular the song Kalam (S/He) will always have a special place in my heart
Can we all just forget about religion and all the differences for a minute, like please!!! WE ARE ALL MADE OF THE SAME THING. Whether you are fighting a fight that is tougher than mine or even less I just want you to know I still have one heart just like you. Blessing be upon music always uniting people.
Preach, homeboy
I cannot sleep now. Every song in this LIVE is even more captivating than official studio version... Beautiful.
I just got to know the band now through the Berlin magazine for the LGBTI (and friends) community "Siegessaule". They will perform tomorrow evening here in Berlin. Unfortunately (or fortunately as I can't go to see them anyway) the concert is already sold out. If I hadn't fallen in love with them already listening to their album "Ibn El Leil", I definitely would have after watching this Tiny Desk Concert. Although Orlando seems kind of far away now, they really made my cry with their music and presentation! Guys, you are adorable!
I had no idea what the lyrics are, but the emotion translated instantaneously. That feeling is something no one can take away. Every hair raised.
Here because of Sarah Hegazi 🌈🙏❤️Rest in peace. And beautiful music
Omg rip Sarah hegazi :( uhm as an egyptian trans straight girl idunno can u like uh be my fwend? :p ID DIE to have an egyptian lgbtq friend ill literally give our ky phone number elol it's 01099875040 text me on what'sapp or something :/
@@strawberrywigz1658 hey I'm Egyptian I'm not lgbtq but I support maybe we could be friends?? 🥺
Exactly what I came to write. May Sarah rest in power
RIP Sarah Hegazi. May her spirit live on. 🏳️🌈 💙
❤
This version of Maghawir is way better than the original one. Darker, more mysterious, and spitting the pain to your face.
Girls & boys, what you're witnessing today is magic being made.
And everyone else in between :)
My god, I don't speak the language but this song just by feel and emotion alone, is beautiful and tragic.
blackmask404 well you can check there chanel they have all there songs translated
Mashrou' Leila are a substantial reason why I'm still proud of being Arab
same - exactly the same
really? what about ur history lol, didnt know that a music band could replace it
oh my god i just read what u wrote and thought u said that arabics been enslaved by europeans but u meant that we have enslaved them? like what? tho muslims did that i think and not all of arabics are muslims.. and theres a lot in the history of both except that, have a beautiful day
yes
Zainab lets just enjoy the music
"Maghawir" (Commandos) - 00:40
"Kalaam" (S/He) - 04:30
"Djin" - 08:05
His voice is just so beautiful and rich mashallah!!!
Natalia Hilal he's gay. will you still say he has a great voice???
well, he's obviously very gay and his voice is also very beautiful :D I don't understand what you're trying to say?
@@Chaac-gi5mi If she said mashallah she don't have to be religious u don't even know her go find some help
@@Chaac-gi5mi you alright?
i cried when he sang kalam. omg. hamed's voice is just epic
Me too.
I know I am like 7 years late but I love his voice too, makes me wanna cry
I could watch this a trillion times becoz I'm deeply in love with these guys and Hamed's hand clapping. and how the songs mean that and then also that. so cute. Can't wait to see them live one day. God/Allah/a higher spirit bless you guys and thanks for doing these great songs and meaningful work! With all my love
Just one correction to the article. A mistake even native arabs also make, Laila or Leila (ليلى) in Arabic means the ecstasy of alcohol, refer to the Arabic dictionary (المعجم). On the other hand (Night) in Arabic is written differently ليلة.
The band's name is مشروع ليلى which in this case means: The ecstasy project caused by alcohol. This might have been the band's secret story behind choosing the name, and I want to apologise for revealing it.
Laila ليلى, is also an old Arabic name given for girls. As some of us might know the arabs were the first people in history to distil alcohol for beverage, they named each stage of alcohol's effect on the drinker.
laila is widely popular, so popular in fact that what it actually means is not well known. The usuage of laila for its dictionary meaning is non existent. The band was initially called مشرع ليلي (nightly project) and that was changed to its current name to play on both meanings, they are homophones.
It’s Laila, like the story of Laila and Majnoon. They chose the name because of the old Sufi tale.
Wrong, He said it's a project they did for a girl called Leila at the university to help her out, then they kept the name because they got popular
@@renphantom9977 exactly Layla was a woman working in a bakery (furn) close to their university where they performed and she was kind of their first fan
اجمل شي بحامد طريقة غنائه وهاذا الغموض والبحة بصوته عبقرية .
Mashrou' Leila is one of my favorite bands that I’ve ever done a show with. A magical night.
i like this version of maghawir more than the recorded one
Habiba Ezzat always come back to it because of the same reason
@@Ziad-jx5nm Ditto. Luckily, the deluxe edition of the Ibn El Leil album does have a version of Maghawir that's very similar to this one! It's not the same recording, but it is this same arrangement.
This one is listed on the deluxe album as Maghawir (Orlando Version)
I'm so glad you got these guys on! To those who are new to them, definitely check out their earlier stuff in addition to their new album!
Shim El Yasmine is still my favourite song.
فاكر لما كنا بنسمعها سوا ؟
فاكر ال راندوم كول بتاعت كل يوم ؟
كنا بنشغلها ونفضل نغني ونضحك ونتكلم بالخمس والسبع ساعات ونسهر للفجر
كانت اجمل ايام فحياتي بجد
انا عارفه انك مش بتفكر فيا دلوقتي بس انت بجد هتوحشني اوي.
تستحقين افضل
why do they even sound better live than the recorded songs .... i love them
My date is from Lebanon, and showed me this band the other day. I love love love them. amazing songs. I want to learn arabic to really understand the wordplay in the lyrics.
we really need part 2 of mahsrou leila
I feel Hamed so freaking much
he's so brave ; the way he sing is just insane ; he express all our generation ; to all the band don't stop
I know nothing about this tube but it's so beautiful and healthy to read non Arabic comments about Mashrou' Leila.. that's exactly the way we should see such art 💜
I understand nothing he says... But the music and his voice!!!! Both speak to my soul! How have I been sleep on this group for so long?!?!?
Back here watching again. I come back every few years
id like to mention that the way they played maghawir wasnt like the one they released - their performance here is mored pained. its slower, its more acoustic and relies more on the power of his vocals. and i think that fits the timing
Especially since this performance occurred a little after the pulse nightclub shooting.
I am so happy to be one of the generations who got the chance to exist at same era of you guys ❤️
I don't speak Arabic but I'm crying. This is amazing.
2024 anyone? ❤
Here
@@Yu-mz6fwwe never left ❤
Muchos!!!
lyrics:
maghawir / مغاوير :
أولاً سنة حلوة يا جميل
ثانياً الليل هيكون طويل
قول لأمك ما تخاف الملهي علي بابه رصاص
ثالثاً البس الاسود و إنزل
عالماً بس تتلج فوق التلال
و يصير الصبيان رجال
مغاوير بعصمة الليل
علمونا عالملعب نلعب عصابات
شوب شوب أوصوك
شوب شوب أوصوك
شوب شوب أوصوك
كنا سوى عم نتسلي وينك أختفيت؟
شوب شوب أوصوك
شوب شوب أوصوك
شوب شوب أوصوك
رابعاً ما تحكي مع نسوان
علشان ما نسهر عالجثمان
و ما الست بس مقياس
لكرامته قدام الناس
غالباً في ضب مضب جيابه
علشان الصبي إبن بيه
هون ما حدا بينطال
ادونيس ضحية الادغال
علمونا عالملعب نلعب عصابات
شوب شوب أوصوك
شوب شوب أوصوك
شوب شوب أوصوك
كنا سوى عم نتسلي وينك أختفيت؟
شوب شوب أوصوك
شوب شوب أوصوك
شوب شوب أوصوك
kalaam / كلام :
إذا لمستك بحلاوة رقصك قربي علي شوي
في جحيم تحت جلدي وانت إيديك باردين
والجهلانين ملتحين بأوراق التين
ومقمحين وحواجبهم مرفوعين
كتبوا حدود البلد (عجسدي وجسدك)
والجلد بيكشد الكلام
كلمتي عكلمتك (كجسدي عجسدك)
والجلد بيحرك الكلام
حاسسني حاسة اللي إنت حاسس فيه
وين العيب حسي اللي إنتِ حاسة فيه
وبدوق الوسكي والأغلاط عـشفافك،
ما بتتعطل لغة الكلام
الحروف بتلفنا لما وشوش كل أسراري بتمنا
وإنت بترجع لأيقوناتك وأنا للفراغ
كتبوا حدود البلد (عجسدي وجسدك)
والجلد بيكشد الكلام
كلمتي عكلمتِك (كجسدي عجسدك)
والجلد بيحرك الكلام
حاسسني حاسة اللي إنت حاسس فيه
وين العيب حسي اللي إنتِ حاسة فيه
جسدَك/جسدِك
عم بيحرك
لغتَك/لغتِك
عم بتفرق
جسدَك/جسدِك
عم بيفرق
لغتَك/لغتِك
عم بتحرك
حاسسني حاسة اللي إنت حاسس فيه
وين العيب حسي اللي إنتِ حاسة فيه
djin/ الجن:
بالغابة منسهر بالليل
منشرب من قلب الغزال
مننخر الأرض بعصيان
ليطوف الخمر من العين
كل النسوان والرجال جايين لابسين الجلود
بانتظار اللي بيموت ويعود
منسمع حكمة الأعناب
كل الحكم بالأعناب
رح نهجر حالنا
بس الله معنا
ما اشربش القزوزة ولا الشاي أنا
رح غرق حزني حإنسى إسمي حأعطي نفسي لليل
وعمادة كبدي بالجن
برقص لعوذ من الجن
رح غطس كبدي بالجن
باسم الأب والإبن
بكرا بس أوعى بالليل يوم القيامة حيقوم
لكن الخمار ما بيوجع قد الهموم
بيني وبين فرحي حيط
بسمك زجاجة الكأس
برلين ما صمدت
ناولني وهبط
ما اشربش القزوزة ولا الشاي أنا
رح غرق حزني حإنسى إسمي حأعطي
نفسي لليل
ما اشربش القزوزة ولا الشاي أنا
رح غرق حزني حإنسى إسمي حأعطي نفسي لليل
Those vocals!!! So nuanced and such a beautiful tone :-)
من احسن صوت سمعت في حياتي، الف شكرا، من المغرب. حب للشعب اللبناني.
Music is beautiful because you can feel his intent in the expression of the song. No idea what hes saying, but I dont need to know because I already understand it.
E _SIERRA you should check their channel they have it transeleted
Can we just forget about language , cultural and all kinds of barriers and enjoy this epic live performance.
sana kasraoui by saying that you make their work redundant!
I never get tired of your music. I find more each time I hear you perform. My neighbor teaches Arabic. I need to learn these lyrics.
Learning Arabic alone wouldnt help understanding the lyrics. This is not standrad Arabic, this is a dialect.
Such a great band!
Great artists' great lyrics and makes the Middle east much more colorful and complex than people even think!
MABRUK!
Im so feeling the pain in his voice.
The music was so powerfully moving. Very talented.
Thank you!💜
صوت حامد بالانجلش بيعطيني فراشات في بطني😭😭😭🦋🌟
I found these guys so late (or just in time).
I'm forever grateful for their genius ❤️
I have tears in my eyes.
I have had this video on repeat for so long. I love Mashrou' Leila and this performance of Maghawir is absolutely gorgeous and raw. This is actually what got me into their music in the first place! I'd love to hear more of their music live and performed like this, they are so talented and its so obvious here!!
بالغابة منسهر باللّيل
منشرب من قلب الغزال
مننخر الأرض بعصيان
ليطوف الخمر من العين
كّل النسوان والرجال جايين لابسين الجلود
بانتظار اللّي بِيموت وبِيعود
منسمع حكمة الأعناب
كل الحكم بالأعناب
رح نهجر حالنا
بس الله معنا
ما اشربش القزوزة ولا الشاي أنا
رح غرّق حزني حإنسى إسمي حأعطي نفسي للّيل
وعمادة كبدي بالجن
برقص لعوذ من الجن
رح غطّس كبدي بالجن
باسم الأب والإبن
بكرا بس أوعى باللّيل يوم القيامة حَيْقوم
لكن الخمار ما بيوجع قد الهموم
بيني وبين فرحي حيط
بسمك زجاجة الكأس
برلين ما صمدت
ناولني وهبّط
ما اشربش القزوزة ولا الشاي أنا
رح غرّق حزني حإنسى إسمي حأعطي نفسي للّيل
Please bring themmm again I’m obsessed!!!
I am in the process of learning the Arabic language... I catch every 4-5 words.. However, you can feel his soul in his music..
Make sure to learn Lebanese dialect because each Arabic country has a special dialects.
Congratulations ,,,, مبروك
If you don't like this there is something badly wrong with you.
chills as soon as he start singing
Wow! Love the power and feeling in their music. And that violinist is the most beautiful man!
Love this! I love the style!
Let me know if u want more songs of them
ive been listening to them for about 10 years and never have i ever seen them live, dont knew their faces neither what their songs were about, and now i like them even more cause
Very moving voice. Great stuff.
Just got turned on to another great awesome group.
So sad that hatred and bigotry causes them to disband. Just discovering and reading about them now. They are really good.
مستحيل هالمخلوق كيف مبدع.
الباند كلها ع بعضها تنحب.
What a deeply moving Tiny Desk concert...
I watch this everyday, and I'll never get bored
All of them are incredibly good looking
I always come back to this video and it makes me emotional every time. Much love
What a great session!! I've been waiting for this. Thanks to everyone who made this tiny desk concert possible, and all the other ones too!! also, what an amazing description!!
If y’all like this so much you should definitely see them live MY god they’re amazing
They got banned in my country and broke up before I had the chance to😢💔
he is so shy, I love this band so much
Hamed Sinno's voice gives me LIFE ♡
I watched this like 2 weeks ago and I didn't know any of the songs, now I'm watching again and I know all the lyrics
Kalaam is my alltime favorite from Mashrou Leila since I started listening in 2015
Omg the first time i like songs in arabic his voice is so powerful It touches my heart . Eventhough am arabic I don't understand lyrics utntil i read them . I love this band and their songs especially kalam
I do not understand the language but I understand the music and it's certainly glorious.
i don't understand the words but it's like they are telling their stories, different stories...so emotional! love from Kazakhstan!
I'm so proud of these guys
It is so sad they split. They are just amazing.
Hamed has the most mesmerizing voice, and the lyrics are always to die for, so brave and passionate
in deep love with the body language of Hammed Sinno
He does seem like so nervous though. I love his body language too ❤️
@@jid_no nervous but cute
Nah, he’s tense, he’s too much into what he sings about, it’s not nerves when he sings
i knew a lot of bands in all the world but i didn't any band which choose its lyrics carefully like them
Mashrou Leila , Keep on you are the best
Me now with the only Arabic I know:
ما اشربش القزوزة ولا الشاي أنا
رح غرّق حزني حإنسى إسمي حأعطي نفسي للّيل
Oh I don't do sodas, man I don't do tea
I drown my sorrows, forget my name, and give myself to the night
Hi Mr.miche
I hope you're fluent Arabic speaker now, I wanted to give you extra word
Sharmoota=good woman
Air=rocket
Kos=hole
I wish this version of the first song was on Spotify
It's on Anghami
EVERYONE LISTEN TO THE REST OF THE ALBUM!!!
Marrikh, icarus, ashabi, to name a few of my favs!
Discovered this band this week. Reading an LGBT article and how they try to censor them in the Arab world. Well, you got a new FAN!!! Thanks for making the Arab world LISTEN!!!
These guys are epic.
3 days ago i went to byblos and i watched them live!! they were incredible! !
My god what a voice! So many fantastic singers from this part of the world
So pure and heart touching!!!!
Chills. That first song. I have no words. ♥️
His voice reminds me a lil bit vibe of Anthony and the jonshons. It is truly hipnotic and unique. Tiny Desk always brings me new favourite bands. Thank you!
these guys are such good advertisement for their country. Not only incredibly talented but also super pretty people.