A-Wa have fashioned a blend of darbuka drums, catchy harmonies and hip-hop electronics that’s gone viral in the Middle East. Hassan Hajjaj
Israeli Trio A-WA Turns Yemenite Tradition into Global Sensation
Israel Seen featured this wonderful trio of sisters back in November of last year. Now they are gaining international attention and have performed in the U.S. where their music is widely accepted. Their Latest official video has gone viral allowing this unique music to reach into many of the surrounding Arab countries.
The Rolling Stone magazine recently featured A-Wa:
A-Wa: The Israeli Trio Turning Yemenite Tradition Into a Global Groove
Post-modern pop transcends complicated Arab-Jewish relations in their home country
Tair, Liron and Tagel Haim — better known as Israeli group A-Wa —have fashioned a blend of darbuka drums, catchy harmonies and hip-hop electronics that deftly and happily transcends the complicated history of Arab-Jewish relations in their home country. With the help of producer Tomer Yosef of Balkan Beat Box, the three sisters (ages 27 to 33) have just released their debut album, Habib Galbi (Love of My Heart), featuring a title track that has gone viral across the Middle East.
In 1949 and 1950, Operation Magic Carpet brought 49,000 Arabic Jews — and their folk music — from Yemen to the new state of Israel. Among the immigrants were the grandparents the Haim sisters who’ve since reworked traditional Yemenite music into something colorful and liberating
Elder sister Tair Haim — no relation to the California girls — spoke with Rolling Stone from her home in Tel Aviv.
A-Wa : Lau Ma Al Mahaba (official audio)
A-WA – Full Performance (Live on KEXP)
