About Elyanna
Elyanna is a Palestinian-Chilean singer, songwriter and rising voice in the world of Arabic pop. Known for her smooth vocal style, bilingual lyrics and genre-fluid sound, she is part of a new wave of artists blending Arab identity with global pop culture. Her music brings Arabic language and melody into unexpected spaces, creating songs that are as emotionally grounded as they are globally minded.
Born Elian Marjieh in Nazareth in 2002 and now based in Los Angeles, Elyanna represents a growing generation of Arab artists shaping the future of pop on their own terms. She sings primarily in Arabic, often switching between languages mid-song, and isn’t afraid to play with form, tone or influence.
Musical Style and Influence
Elyanna’s sound sits somewhere between contemporary R&B, Latin pop and traditional Arabic music. Her vocals are soft but deliberate, layered over slow-burning beats and minimalist production that lets the language shine. She often draws from Arabic maqam scales and classic regional melodies, while experimenting with texture and rhythm in a way that feels modern and cinematic.
Lyrically, she blends poetry and personal storytelling, covering love, distance, longing and identity. Her choice to sing in Arabic, even while based in the West, is a deliberate act of cultural affirmation, giving her a distinct voice in an increasingly globalised music scene.
Breakthrough Moments
Elyanna first gained attention on social media as a teenager, posting covers in Arabic and English that stood out for their clarity and style. Her early work caught the attention of Grammy-winning singer and producer Massari, who became a mentor and collaborator. She was later championed by Lebanese-Canadian artist Nasri and industry veteran Wassim “Sal” Slaiby (manager of The Weeknd), who helped introduce her to a wider audience.
In 2020, Elyanna released her self-titled debut EP, which included the viral track Ana Lahale, marking her arrival as a fresh voice in Arabic pop. She followed it up with a second EP, Elyanna II, featuring songs like Ghareeb Alay and Al Kawn Janni Maak, which received critical attention and strong support across streaming platforms and regional charts.
Her performances, including live appearances in the UAE and her historic Coachella debut in 2023, where she became the first artist to sing a full set in Arabic on the festival’s main stage, have helped position her as a cultural figure as well as a musician.
A New Direction for Arabic Pop
What sets Elyanna apart isn’t just her sound, but her perspective. As a young Arab woman raised between worlds, her music explores themes of language, belonging and emotional nuance in a way that resonates with global listeners while staying rooted in Arab culture.
She continues to build her fanbase across the Middle East, North Africa and the diaspora, offering something that feels familiar but new. With each release, she’s helping to shift perceptions of what Arabic pop can sound like — and where it can travel.
