Sama Abdulhadi

Although Sama’ Abdulhadi is the first Palestinian DJ to gain international recognition, her career really began when she hit Beirut’s burgeoning techno scene. Plunging into the nightlife, Abdulhadi gigged and got inspired by the scene’s local and international DJs while refining her trademark set: high-octane full-bodied techno with a distinct spectrum of moods, or as she says: “Berlin techno, but I perceive it in a Lebanese way.” Beirut was her training and testing ground, but she was on home turf in Ramallah when she played the 2018 Boiler Room debut that would make her a household name for international techno heads. Her set clocked over 11 million views, an achievement shared by very few DJs, all the more impressive for a Palestinian who was virtually unknown at the time. Now Abdulhadi leverages her status to support the growing number of Palestinian artists in a number of ways: through her hub, Union—a venue in Ramallah that serves as an incubator for DJs, producers and creatives to meet, collaborate and hone their craft; she also raises funds for a liquidity crisis-afflicted Lebanon through Bring Back Beirut and has staged events in London, Paris, Berlin and her “second home” in the capital. Abdulhadi stands as one of the world's most exciting DJs (and fearless cultural activists). In 2022 alone, she played Coachella, Glastonbury, Fusion, Circoloco, Lost Village, Primavera, Belfast’s AVA Festival, Brazil’s Warung and Serbia’s Exit Festival legendary Dance Arena. Barely five years into her international career, Sama’ Abdulhadi is at the forefront of a powerful movement. Her goal has always been to put Palestine on the musical map and in doing, so she continues to garner international solidarity and broaden people’s ideas about Middle Eastern expression. A documentary film about Abdulhadi’s journey, created by highly-respected Middle Eastern producers & directors, premiered in early 2023. Additionally, she launched her Phonox London residency in January 2023. This is just the beginning for Sama’ Abdulhadi.