EMEL, Rasha Nahas

Pioneer Works is excited to welcome back acclaimed Tunisian-American artist, EMEL along with Palestinian singer, composer and actress Rasha Nahas to our North Hall on March 18, 2025.

About the artists...

EMEL

She rose to fame in 2012 with her protest song “Kelmti Horra” (My Word Is Free) from the eponymous album “Kelmti Horra” and was subsequently called the voice of the Arab spring. In 2016, she performecd Kelmti Horra at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, marking a climax in her journey with this powerful song.

Emel continues her exploration and develops a sound that is unique to her. An electronic music loaded with North African references, with complex rhythms and light-dark atmospheres, which is revealed in 2017 with the release of Ensen (Human), her sophomore album signed on the American label Partisan Records.

In constant evolution, Emel pushed the frontiers of her universe even further in 2019 with the release of Everywhere We Looked Was Burning, a prophetic third album in which she embraces her taste for the English language and experimental and cinematic music. Also released on Partisan Records, this concept album and cycle of videos clarifies the purpose of the musician, confirms her talent as a producer and puts her at the forefront of the international scene.

While the following years have been punctuated with a couple releases (in 2020 « The Tunis Diaries », in 2021 « Everywhere we looked was burning (live version) »), Emel has also been working on a new album set for release in April 2024 called « MRA ». Its name stems from the word « woman » in arabic ; entirely produced with women artists from all around the world, « MRA » is the embodiment of sisterhood as well as the musical form of the fight against patriarchy in a men driven world and industry. With sounds more pop and hip hop than ever before, swaying between Arabic, English and even French with her guests, Emel allows both herself and her listeners to step into an even more committed journey towards embracing one’s own authentic life.

Rasha Nahas

Rasha Nahas is a multifaceted artist known for her distinctive approach to songwriting, storytelling, and performance. The Palestinian singer, composer, actress, and instrumentalist’s unique sound is rooted in her early training in classical guitar and her formative years in Haifa's underground music scene. Her genre-defying style weaves the traditional and popular musical influences of her homeland with the raw intensity of electric rock.

Her debut album, Desert (2021), was a personal chronicle of her migration from Haifa to Berlin. This was followed by her second album, Amrat (2023), released through leading independent UK label Cooking Vinyl. Marking her first venture into Arabic-language lyrics, Amrat explores themes of urban and rural duality. Recorded at 67 Studio in the occupied Golan Heights, the album features contributions from notable musicians in Palestine's indie music scene and propelled her to tour across Europe, South America, the UK, North Africa, and West Asia, including shows at SIM São Paulo, Glastonbury Festival, Midem, Sziget, WOMEX, Berlin International Film Festival, Palestine Music Expo and more.

Beyond her solo work, Nahas has extensive experience as a composer and writer for film and theater. Her credits include creating original pieces for Berlin's performing arts scene, Hamburg's Thalia Theater.In 2024, Nahas made a special appearance in Season 2 of We Are Lady Parts (Channel 4 / Peacock)Nahas is one of the first to receive the Bertha Foundation Artivism award.