Bashar grew up surrounded by the works and compositions of one of Palestine’s most innovative bands Sabreen. His father’s studio at Sabreen provided the perfect playground for Bashar to imbibe the masterful works of the band. He later went on to study at the Bridgewater College for Liberal Arts in Virginia where he gained creative knowledge to develop his own works. Since 2018 Bashar has been producing genre-bending music defying patriarchal and oppressive structures present within his immediate environment.
His works include “Shillet Hamal” (Bunch of Bums), Ilkul 3am Bitjawaz (Everyone’s Getting Married) and the United Nations commissioned song and music video for “Ana Zalameh” (I Am A Man) all garnering regional and global attention. Apart from the unique sound which Bashar managed to carve himself on the Palestinian and regional music scenes, he also accompanies his works with spectacular visual works testifying to his playful imagination.
In June 2021 Bashar Murad released his debut E.P. “Maskhara” (Arabic for “Mockery”). The work is a masterpiece of escapist sonic finesse, blending his native Jerusalem reality with a distinct pop style and genre-bending aesthetics. For the E.P. Murad has collaborated with pioneering Palestinian hip hop artist Tamer Nafar (DAM), recruited the brilliant oud mastery of Said Murad and Wisam Murad (Sabreen) and called on the expertise of world-class American producer Gannin Arnold. The four track E.P. was produced during the global pandemic and is inspired by Murad’s Palestinian reality, taking in the daily tensions that form an integral part of life in Jerusalem, while also infusing the sounds with a strong desire for escapism, satire and an innovative pop aesthetic. The music on the E.P. provides little space for rest or respite, upbeat and energetic sounds instantly take the listener to another dimension.
Bashar’s Arabic pop gumbo became sought after at regional, European and North American festivals and events and in 2020 he was signed to Indie Label Pop Arabia. He has been featured in articles from CBC, The Guardian, the Globe, The Mail and the BBC, with the press describing him as “The Palestinian singer blurring gender lines” and a “slightly built, mild-mannered Arabic provocateur.”
Maskhara
Bashar Murad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
شايف غيم ها الإيام، وين الفضاء؟
بطلع لي الجيش مع رشاش، زي العمى
رايح وين؟، بيقول لي ارجع لورا
مش طالع بإيدي أغير نصيبي
ولا حدا فاهم أساليبي
طالع بإيدي كاسة ويسكي
صب كمان كاس لف سيجارة
بركي بنسى كل ها الخرا
بركي بنسى ها المسخرة
بحس حالي برجع لورا
صب كمان كاس لف سيجارة
بركي بنسى ها المسخرة
بركي بنسى ها المسخرة
بحس حالي برجع لورا
صار لي سنتين في إكتئاب، ماكل هوا
حسدتني العين ولا خيال؟ يفهمني حدا
طب شو بعدين؟ شو كمان، وين الفرج؟
أنا رايح وين؟ عقلي تعبان صبري انتهى
مش طالع بإيدي أغير نصيبي
ولا حدا فاهم أساليبي
طالع بإيدي كاسة ويسكي
ولسه ما بتكفيني
صب كمان كاس لف سيجارة
بركي بنسى كل ها الخرا
بركي بنسى ها المسخرة
بحس حالي برجع لورا
صب كمان كاس لف سيجارة
بركي بنسى ها المسخرة
بركي بنسى ها المسخرة
بحس حالي برجع لورا
بحس حالي برجع لورا
بركي بنسى، بركي بنسى، بركي بنسى
بركي بنسى، بركي بنسى، بركي بنسى
مش طالع بإيدي أغير نصيبي
ولا حدا فاهم أساليبي
طالع بإيدي كاسة ويسكي
ولسه ما بتكفيني
صب كمان كاس لف سيجارة
صب كمان كاس لف سيجارة
صب كمان كاس لف سيجارة
بركي بنسى كل ها الخرا
بركي بنسى ها المسخرة
بحس حالي برجع لورا
صب كمان كاس لف سيجارة
نفسي أنسى ها المسخرة
بركي بنسى ها المسخرة
بحس حالي برجع لورا
“Maskhara” by Bashar Murad is a song that beautifully captures the artist’s internal struggles with depression and the society’s expectations of him. The song starts with Bashar talking about his lost direction and the emptiness he feels. He is “taking two steps forward, and ten steps backwards,” as he cannot find his space in this world. He feels lost, and the only answer he receives is to “go back.” He wishes to change his destiny, but it seems impossible, and nobody can understand his pain.
Throughout the song, he shows his urge to forget the pain and forget the “ridicule” he faces within his society. His depression has lasted for two years, and he feels trapped because nobody can understand him. He tries to ease his pain with a glass of whiskey and a cigarette but realizes that it’s never enough for him. In the chorus, he repeatedly asks for “another glass” to maybe forget all this mess or the “maskhara” he is facing. He wishes to find an escape and maybe start over again, but he feels stuck, and it seems like going back is the only option.
“Maskhara” is a beautifully crafted song that discusses difficult topics like depression, social expectations, and finding one’s place in society. The song is a testament to the struggles of the artist and many other people who face similar problems. The chorus adds a new layer to the song that still feels relatable, with the urge to forget and maybe start again.
Line by Line Meaning
خطوتين لقدام، وعشرة لورا
Moving forward takes only a couple of steps, but going back would take ten times that.
شايف غيم ها الإيام، وين الفضاء؟
I see clouds in these days, but where is the space for me to breathe?
بطلع لي الجيش مع رشاش، زي العمى
The army appears to me like a blind man holding a gun.
رايح وين؟، بيقول لي ارجع لورا
I ask where they are going, and they tell me to turn back.
مش طالع بإيدي أغير نصيبي
I can't change my fate with my own hands.
ولا حدا فاهم أساليبي
No one understands my methods.
طالع بإيدي كاسة ويسكي
I go out with a glass of whiskey in my hand.
ولسه ما بتكفيني
But it's still not enough for me.
صب كمان كاس لف سيجارة
Pour me another glass and roll me a cigarette.
بركي بنسى كل ها الخرا
Maybe I'll forget all this mess.
بركي بنسى ها المسخرة
Maybe I'll forget this foolishness.
بحس حالي برجع لورا
I feel like I'm going backwards.
صار لي سنتين في إكتئاب، ماكل هوا
I've been in depression for two years, suffocating.
حسدتني العين ولا خيال؟ يفهمني حدا
Is it envy or just imagination? Will anyone understand me?
طب شو بعدين؟ شو كمان، وين الفرج؟
But what happens next? What's next? Where is the relief?
أنا رايح وين؟ عقلي تعبان صبري انتهى
Where am I going? My mind is exhausted and my patience has run out.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@noextrai
Love this.
@basharmurad
OMG Willam, I'm gonna die. LOVE YOU!
@fishfeelpain5748
Yama!!! Its willam!
@nou_uonet_t7536
@@fishfeelpain5748 LOLLLL
@Bdognintendo777
WILLAM
@loony_toonie
i currently live in the US in a city that is a crockpot of cultures. i myself am from russia, but i have friends from india, pakistan, bangladesh, korea, china, libya, iran, and palestine. earlier in the year we celebrated chinese new year; just last week we were at a bollywood gala and this week we are going to clean the masjid before Ramadan! life is more fun when we can celebrate together! the world has so much to discover and i‘m so glad it brought my friends and me here. much love from us!! this song is incredible!! ❤
@poota5042
I want to thank you for encouraging me to explore my Palestinian roots. You’re the first artist I’ve listened to and now I really enjoy listening to Palestinian music 🇵🇸
@chaeriplease
Can u recommend more like him?
@joannaquinsey8185
@@chaeriplease I recommend DAM (not pop, but more hip-hop), Mashrou' Leila (Indie pop from Lebanon), Aziz Maraka, Bu Kolthoum (Also rap)
@vannakinder352
It is sad how many Palestinians have been shamed out of their identity for decades. Now you all re-emerge like the badasses you are. 🇱🇧❤️🇵🇸