Lebanese Indie Pop Band Mashrou' Leila Gives Voice To Oppressed

Before moving to America, Mashrou' Leila lead singer Hamed Sinno believed in the “myth of American exceptionalism” when it comes to social justice and equality — much unlike his band’s experiences in the Arab world.

Now, he thinks what’s happening in the U.S. is “eerily similar” to the unrest he’s seen in the Middle East.

“It's horrible seeing that the whole world is very much moving to a similar drum right now,” the Lebanese-American citizen says.

Lebanese indie-pop band Mashrou' Leila started at American University of Beirut in 2008, two years before the anti-government protests known as the Arab spring. The band supported the protests and have been outspoken advocates for democracy and social justice in the region ever since.

Since releasing their self-titled debut album in 2010, the band has gained international fame for challenging the status quo in the Middle East on top of a sick beat. The band is on a North American tour for their new album “The Beirut School” with stops in New York and Washington, D.C.

But it hasn’t been an easy ride to becoming one of the most popular indie bands in the Arab world — Mashrou' Leila is banned in Egypt and Jordan and had to cancel a concert in Lebanon because of violent threats posted on social media and pressure from Christian groups.