Palestinian Singer Sant Levant Becomes Prada Ambassador Amid Controversy

Sant Levant, also known as Marwan Abd al-Hamid, is a Palestinian singer who has gained international fame since 2022, becoming one of the most successful Palestinian artists worldwide. Born in Jerusalem 26 years ago, he moved with his family to Gaza as a child, where his father worked in tourism and established a hotel in Gaza City's upscale Rimal neighborhood. After Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, his family relocated to Jordan, and more recently, Levant has been living in Los Angeles.

Levant rose to prominence with his multilingual hit "Very Few Friends," sung in Arabic, English, and French, which became popular on TikTok. His music often addresses the Palestinian issue, and during the recent Gaza conflict, he accused Israel of "genocide" without mentioning Hamas or his family's forced displacement following Hamas's takeover. Despite his popularity, Levant faced criticism for allegedly exploiting Gaza residents, especially after a controversial campaign with Huda Beauty, a makeup brand known for anti-Israel views. Their joint launch of a lip oil named "Clementine" sparked backlash due to its timing amid Gaza's humanitarian crisis.

Nevertheless, Levant's career has not suffered significantly, as he continues to release multilingual music and perform across Arab countries. Prada's decision to appoint Levant as a brand ambassador highlights the Western fashion industry's embrace of voices echoing the Palestinian narrative, while perspectives from the Israeli side remain largely absent. Previously, Palestinian-American models Bella and Gigi Hadid, known for their critical stance on Israel, also represented Prada.

This development reflects broader cultural and political dynamics where Palestinian identities gain visibility in global fashion and entertainment, amid ongoing regional conflict and international debate.