Palestinian voices have long struggled to be heard. Talented local artists have emerged over the years, but breaking into the mainstream or establishing a sustainable career in music has been near impossible – not because of a lack of skill, but due to the limited resources, shrinking public spaces, and the logistical challenges of life under occupation.
Marwan Abdul Hamid, a.k.a. Saint Levant, is working to disrupt this reality through his newly established 2048 Foundation. The name references the year that will mark a century since the Nakba.
The foundation provides grants to Palestinian musicians and music-related talents, creating opportunities long denied by the lack of sustained support and proper infrastructure.
Without professional networks, labels, or management agencies, many artists are left to handle production, promotion, and distribution on their own. This challenge is only intensified by economic instability: high unemployment and financial precarity make pursuing music a luxury, families encourage young artists toward safer professions, and funding for the creative industries remains inconsistent and heavily dependent on agenda-driven donors.
In such an environment, even the most talented musicians struggle to bring their ideas to reality – making the foundation’s grants not just helpful, but essential for giving Palestinian artists a room to breathe.
Beyond the financial grant, 2048 Foundation builds exposure through curated sessions and networking, connecting Palestinian artists with local and international peers, fostering genuine artistic exchange, and helping talent reach audiences beyond their immediate communities.
Though quietly active since 2023, the foundation has formally launched this year.
The initiative, conceived before the October 7th war, is one many hope will continue to evolve – particularly in light of the devastation and emerging post-war realities.
The Foundation may not be the first of its kind, but it arrives at one of the most complex moments in decades. With brazen calls to fully annex the West Bank – the need to amplify Palestinian voices has never been more urgent.
