Sama’ Abdulhadi announces fundraiser ‘Bring Back Beirut’ for Lebanon

Musician and DJ Sama’ Abdulhadi has announced a fundraising effort for Lebanon, entitled ‘Bring Back Beirut’. It’ll be in partnership with NGO Nusaned.

Launching at London’s Phonox on March 12 with sets from Lebanese DJs Jad Taleb, Sam Karam and Tryangleman, it’ll visit Berlin, Paris and other regions too.

The initiative’s roots launched in Beirut last weekend, with Abdulhadi playing an impromptu all-nighter at venue The Ballroom Blitz.

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‘Bring Back Beirut’ will close with a free, large-scale event in the region later this year.

“I’m launching the ‘Bring Back Beirut’ initiative to help Lebanon rise back up on its feet,” Abdulhadi explains. “Beirut needs us! The region is still destroyed in the aftermath of the 2020 explosion. I’ve selected Nusaned to channel all financial proceeds made from the events as I trust the funds will reach those in need.”

“Beirut is my second home, it’s the place where I found myself in music and found my freedom. It’s the least I can do to help highlight the situation.”

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For the launch event, 100% of booking fees will be donated too.

"We are grateful that the renowned international artist Sama’ Abdulhadi has launched her fundraising initiative 'Bring Back Beirut' in support of Lebanon in its time of need," Nusaned explain. "We’re honoured that she has put her trust in Nusaned by choosing us to be the recipients of the funds raised from her events.

These funds will directly be channeled into the Adopt A Family program, in partnership with Act For Lebanon, where we sponsor struggling families to provide them with financial assistance. Her fundraising initiative will also bring much needed awareness to the plight of the Lebanese people and hopefully create a ripple effect of additional collaborations. Thanks to the support of NGOs and individuals such as Sama’, Nusaned will continue its mission to support underserved communities to become self-sustaining in addition to aiding its country in times of crisis.”

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Abdulhadi will also contribute to an NFT compilation alongside various electronic music artists who’ve all agreed to auction their songs as well as shares on their masters, in order to raise funds for the country too. The first release is expected before Spring and was worked on with Bolero Music.

Lebanon is currently experiencing one of the worst economic crises in the world, with scarce amounts of electricity, water, food and medicine. Despite the crisis caused by the 2020 port explosion, arts and culture is thriving: something intended to portray via this series.

Grab tickets to the Phonox launch event here, and find out more from Sama’ Abdulhadi here.

Niamh Ingram is Mixmag’s Weekend Editor, follow her on Twitter