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ROTANA روتانة طرب

@iamrotana

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singer,actor,writer.
Obsessive student of eros as life force.
My Ep, IBQi and meditation album ⬇️

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NYC, on June 30th, I’m doing an intimate performance/ritual for my new EP, BAB ALLAH, at 9 months pregnant — because a dream told me to.

We have a few seats left, and I’m too pregnant to remember who I’ve forgotten! If you feel like you should be there, DM me and I’ll send you the RSVP link. This is not a ticketed event for the public — by invite only. ❤️‍🔥 by @iamrotana

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4 months ago

The veil is lifted, new music is coming and the dawn of mother is here!!! by @iamrotana

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a year ago

When I recorded this Palestinian folk song song, I named it “Freedom Code” on the album because this is what Tarweeda’ is: spells of freedom that no colonizer can ever take away from us.

‘Tarweeda” is singing in code through the inversion of the last letters of each word and adding the letter L. This code language was developed as a response to the British mandate in 1936 that cut off and forbade communication between revolutionaries and villages; between mother’s and their imprisoned children.

These codes were sung -primarily by grandmothers and matriarchs- to deliver news and guidance to Palestinian resistance fighters and prisoners. Through this encoded singing they delivered secret messages of love and longing. Of grief and unshakable faith. Of resistance and revolution.

I will sing the spells of my ancestors so long as I am here.

I want to thank @elfunoun_troupe, I heard this song 4 years ago from you and my life was changed forever.

It is DAY 126 of jennoside. I can’t believe it. CEASEFIRE. STOP THE OCCUPATION . FREE FREE 🍉

Song: Freedom code by Rotana & @superposition.world by @iamrotana

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3 years ago

Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording of ‘We Live in Cairo’ for your @grammys consideration.
@grammys | @heymadisonwells | @nytw79 | @frereslazour | @centerstagercds | #grammyawards taken in New York Theatre Workshop by @iamrotana

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5 days ago

A sneak peak 👀 of a very special film and music release coming soon.

It was such an honor to work on this project with @iamrotana while she was 9 months pregnant for her upcoming music release Bab Allah باب الله

We had the privilege of shooting two performances for her upcoming film and music release to a live audience at the historic @judsonchurchnyc in the heart of Greenwich Village with the portraits of Audre Lorde, bell hooks and other saintly ancestors watching over us.

Thank you to everyone in the audience who joined us and all our friends at Kindred who helped make this show and shoot possible.

We know her music and performance will rock you the same way it did for each us in the room that day!

Executive Producer: @millanasnow
Film Director: @nadiadiaspora
Film Producer: @gretta.psd
Director of Photography: @mariaraaad
Music Producer and Director: @_alexandervincent
Set Designer: @noabricklin
Costume Designer: @nylahasan

📸BTS photos by: @jessglistening taken in Judson Memorial Church - New York City by @iamrotana

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2 months ago

Grief will make you a mother.

And thank god for that.
To let grief be the fertilizer of life
has been one of the deepest devotions of my path.
I don’t for a second take for granted the opportunity to live into that lesson again and again
Bismillah 🌬️ ❤️ by @iamrotana

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5 months ago

I used to scream at the sky begging you to come down
I was reaching in the wrong direction by @iamrotana

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9 months ago

The cast album of ‘We Live in Cairo’ is out wherever you listen to music.

Every night on stage I yelled and pleaded these words الشعب يريد اسقاط النظام , the people want the regime of harm and greed to fall. It took everything out of me because I know this is what the majority of humanity truly wants. But we are so afraid. And every night Fadwa was afraid too, but she let herself die so that something new can be born.

Every night we got blessed with @nadinahassan ridiculously gorgeous and effortless voice. My queen. HOW?????? And then @ali.louis ‘s too ?? ya lateef.

Every night I ran off stage to catch @johneljor singing my fav song of the show !!!! Swooon.

Every night I got to be with soul family singing and dancing and stomping (and screaming 😂) about freedom and love. Hamdillah.

@frereslazour really wrote the most beautiful music. Go be blessed and listen. by @iamrotana

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a year ago

‘Necessary Death’ is five years old today!! I love this song beyond.

I will never stop being in awe of how my artist self is initiating my growing self into what it can and needs to become.

I wrote this song one year before my world folded in on itself and everything I knew was no longer.

Curious if other artists experiences their songs are permissions ? HMADILLAH.

The sky is black and
the cold grass is
holding all the ones I love
they’re gone now
so I walk alone and
I thank you all for
the space you gave, the light is in my hands
a necessary death
lying down for it
I am steady
the world is upside down
where did it go, gravity ?
I am steady.

@claranovich shot this video in one day on an iPhone you guys!!!!!!!!!! by @iamrotana

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a year ago

The cast album for ‘WE LIVE IN CAIRO’ is OUT NOW everywhere you listen to music!! LINK IN BIO.

I wish everyone in the world could have seen this powerful sexy hilarious devastating show. This album is the next best thing.

I recognize this song is a bit eerie coupled with this ridiculously joyous photo of these people I will love forever, but every night when I got on stage and sang this song, I looked into the spotlight and saw a free Palestine. I saw my grandfather that fought for the life of the land he belonged to. I felt the spirit of every soul that has fought for their dignity, they are my ancestors too.

All OF US THAT EVER WERE ARE AT THE REVOLUTION THAT ALWAYS WAS.

Thank you @frereslazour for this stupid beautiful music. taken in New York Theatre Workshop by @iamrotana

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a year ago

السلام عليكم
to the rocks to the trees to the sun to the water
To the Taos Pueblo
To @mirabaistarr and @willow__brook and @sunbirdspirit

You have my heart ❤️‍🔥 by @iamrotana

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a year ago

I love how our music is emotionally ambiguous on purpose. Not clearly major or minor. Sitting somewhere in between.

I am so grateful my culture taught me that beauty and melancholy are mostly inseparable- and that that is not a problem, but deep emotional intelligence. Our joy and sorrow exist side by side.

I’m singing a song of a bird escaping captivity, sitting at a child’s window and begging for shelter, begging to be protected.

Still there is warmth and a smile to feel and offer.

I’m so grateful that my Palestinian and Arabic culture has taught me through music, poetry and everyday speech what people are paying wayyyy too much money to learn in the west. by @iamrotana

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a year ago