This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Amna Faheem. Find her on Instagram at @amnaf.aheem. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
International music artists have been influencing American listeners and the public for quite some time. The British band The Beatles caused an uproar in the 1960s, changing the way we saw music and our culture as a whole. They were the best-selling musical act in the United States and were the match that lit the eventual influx of British music. Since then, many other British artists like Elton John, One Direction, Adele, and Coldplay have seeped into mainstream American music and have altered the way we dance and engage with music. ABBA, the Swedish band, also had a significant impact on American music culture, being the inspiration behind movies like Mamma Mia! and other bands.
However, European music artists are not the only musicians who have changed the game in America. Many artists have come out of the woodwork from places like Asia, with K-pop bands gaining traction in 2020, Latin America, with Shakira having noteworthy effects on the music industry with her energetic beats, dance-able melodies, and the Middle East.
The Middle East is not a place that is typically considered to have enjoyable modern music. When being thought of, people tend to consider only older folk and traditional songs with more instrumental melodies. Middle Eastern bands don’t seem to have the same attention as other international musicians and artists.
That is not to say there are no notable artists. In the past decade or so, Middle Eastern bands and singers have begun to make their mark on the American music industry, collaborating with popular American singers and headlining music festivals. These are seven- of many- Arab and Middle Eastern artists that have crossed the ocean and landed with a splash in America.
Palestine
Elyanna, a Palestinian singer living in San Diego, rose to fame with her remix of Air Diab’s song “Tamally Maak” and her own lyrics to her song “Calling U.” In 2021, she became the headliner for Universal Arabic Music, gaining popularity and drawing people’s attention to Middle Eastern music. She appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and in 2023, she became the first Arab artist to perform a set at Coachella. In 2025, she performed at Coldplay’s Music of the Sphere tour and sang her song “Olive Branch,” released in 2023. Her discography and increasingly popular music and performances have welcomed Middle Eastern music into the American sphere.
Saint Levant, a Palestinian musician, gained admiration when his song “Very Few Friends” went viral on TikTok and Instagram. He uses traditional Arab melodies combined with French lyrics and modern pop beats in his songs, which appeals to a large audience. He has reached number two on the US music charts and has sold out multiple shows in America. Representing Palestinian culture, Saint Levant’s music is for everyone, and his presence has grown in American mainstream music, intensifying the existence of Middle Eastern music in America.
Egypt
Bayou, an Egyptian singer, has been creating music since 2019 with the release of his album Moonlight, which gained over 3 million listeners on Spotify. Bayou has performed at Coachella alongside Saint Levant, singing his original song “Haifa Wehbe,” named after the Lebanese singer and actress. Bayou also performed a duet with Saint Levant titled “Maghreb,” the Arabic word for Morocco. His collaborations with other Arab musicians have been beneficial in his rise to popularity and garnering a wider American audience. His performances and associations with other Middle Eastern musicians have helped him bring attention to Egyptian pop music and eased the appearance of Arabic music for American listeners.
Sherine, an Egyptian singer, has been quite popular among American listeners. The Middle Eastern artist held the number one spot in the Billboard Hot 100 for Arab Artists for 11 weeks and has presided over 100 other artists with her position as the number one artist for the longest time on Billboard Arabia. While Sherine is one of the most prevalent singers in Egypt, she has also reached the American music industry. She was the first Arab singer to win the Billboard Women in Music Award and had the most Spotify streams for female Egyptian singers in 2022. In 2023, she broke through even more with her remix for her song “I Know What You Want” and her song “Sabry Alil,” with musician Busta Rhymes.
Amr Diab is arguably one of the most popular Egyptian musicians, both in and out of the country. Amr Diab is the most listened-to Arab artist in America and the best-selling Arabic singer overall. His Egyptian melodies and beautiful lyrics attract listeners from all over the world. His popularity landed him a spot on the billboards in Times Square, and an overwhelming majority of his streams are from listeners in America. Amr Diab has won seven World Music Awards. Released in 1996, his most popular song to date is “Nour El Ain,” translating to The Light in Your Eyes.
Lebanon
Nancy Ajram is a famous Lebanese singer who has entered the American music industry successfully, landing high on the charts and the Billboards. Nancy Ajram has collaborated with DJ Marshmallow, leading to their song “Sah Sah,” being the first Arabic song in the top 10 iTunes and Billboard Dance charts in America. In 2020, she was the most streamed female artist on Spotify and the youngest Arab to win the World Music Award. Nancy Ajram was also the first Arabic female artist to make an appearance in Times Square. Her many accolades only speak to her very significant involvement in the American music industry.
Elissa, known for her emotional and raw lyrics, has also made her mark in the United States. Winning the title of one of the most influential people in the Middle East, the Lebanese singer has been important in many aspects of the artistic world. She has toured the U.S., visiting major cities like Los Angeles and New York. She has also performed at the Billboard Music Awards and won World Music Awards in 2005 and 2006. Her appearances and shows have only enhanced the presence of Middle Eastern artists in America.
International artists have always played a vital role in the American music industry. Middle Eastern bands and singers have continuously grown and shown how delightful the melodies are. The incorporation of traditional Arab rhythms and modern pop tunes creates a diverse discography that appeals to all listeners. Diversifying the music you listen to could be worth a shot!
Have you ever listened to any Middle Eastern music? Let us know in the comments below!
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