Maysa Daw: "I cannot be political 24 hrs a day....That would completely ruin me."

This week, Yasmin has a candid conversation with singer-songwriter Maysa Daw. We discussed Arab identity, how music can impact communities, the unexpected downsides of passport privilege, the false illusion of an existing binary separating powerful and “vulnerable” women, the influence of politics under an immensely dismal reality, and so much more.

Growing up, Maysa dreamed of performing with the Palestinian hip-hop group DAM, who are widely acclaimed for their fierce, socially engaged lyrics. She eventually joined the band in 2015, and together they released the provocative, musically rich album “Ben Haana Wa Maana” in 2019. The album tackles themes ranging from patriarchy to apartheid, and is likely to spark the intrigue of social activists and newcomers alike. Maysa's collaborations with other artists, and her own solo work, is also com ...