Lebanese singer Yasmina’s candid conversation with blogger Sarmad Iqbal on music, Middle East & much more
By: Sarmad Iqbal
Tags: Arab World, Music, Middle East, Arabic, Lebanon

Lebanese singer Yasmina and blogger Sarmad Iqbal

Multi-lingual and gifted Lebanese musician Yasmina had a mesmerizing impact on many global music lovers when she released her Arabic song “Habibi” (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx3m0vZjyi0 ) with the artist Adel Fuego. This month, I had the opportunity to have a candid conversation with her on not just music (something she passionately pursues and dwells in) but also on her country Lebanon, on the Middle East, and also on what remains her inspiration to produce the enchanting genre of music she likes to delve deeper into. Apart from Arabic, she also sings in French, Spanish, and English.

Blogger Sarmad Iqbal: Give me an insight into the making of your popular song “Habibi”. Yasmina: The song was first recorded in Cuba and was composed by me, then we re-recorded it in Lebanon. The man who is singing with me Adel Fuego is a real Spanish gypsy who lives in Lebanon. And the place where we did shoot the music video is in a mountainous part of Lebanese soil which is known as “Faraya”. You can find real gypsies up there.

Blogger Sarmad Iqbal: Sounds cool. I would like to know what do you feel as a Lebanese artist about the current state and circumstances of Lebanon? Yasmina: I think my country is suffering and its only way out is a miracle. Our people are suffering a lot, With the economic crisis, the Beirut explosion this year, and the pandemic. It’s one of the hardest times Lebanese people are going through. It’s hard for Lebanon to be independent. They are always controlled by bigger forces, plus all the corruption and the corrupted politician who rules the country. It’s sad for such a beautiful country to be used by others and not taken care of by its people. Not to forget that there is a minority of people who are aware of that and want to help the country but can’t do anything about it.

Blogger Sarmad Iqbal: Now, I would like to know what inspires you to produce music. Yasmina: I get it from my personal love stories which are identical to many other love stories with all their passions and difficulties.

Blogger Sarmad Iqbal: As an Arabic language musician, would you like to share your opinion with me on peace in the Middle East? Yasmina: We all know about how the Middle East is always a victim of other powerful countries. And those powerful countries use the Middle East for their benefits.

Blogger Sarmad Iqbal: Which language do you prefer singing more in out of all the languages you know?

Yasmina: Well I don’t mind singing in all 4 languages. Each one has its taste. What I do is I wear the language I sing in. I think singing is a feeling, not a language so when you feel the melody while singing then whatever language you sing it will get to your audience. What you do from the heart will go where it needs to go. Sadly, music in Lebanon is starting to decrease in quality. People are using music as a way of selling themselves more than selling music. But for sure you still can find good music. I like the mixture in music as I am multilingual and I travel to different countries with different kinds of music which I admire. I love mixing it all. You know as they say the mix in everything is the best. It creates beautiful “music babies”.

Yasmina is an artist truly commendable with the kind of feats she desires to achieve with her music and the multi-lingual nature of her brand of Lebanese music makes her stand out from many others. I wish her good luck in her ever-growing music career.