A biography for Yasmine Hamdanhasn’t been written yet.
“I'm bored, normally, when I travel.”
“For me, a taxi is like a public space because so many people get in that space.”
“Egyptians are quite incredible people. They have everything: the culture, the music, the scenes. So much of Arab music and art started there.”
“It's normal; Arab women have always been very active at the forefront of culture - as film producers since the 1920s; as singers, dancers, choreographers, writers for much longer than that.”
“I am interested in exploring encounters where worlds meet and not where they separate.”
“Because of the Lebanese civil war, I had a scattered childhood. I had to build my own connections to each country we moved to.”
“A lot of Arabic composers such as Mohammed Abdel Wahab mixed sounds and instruments from all over the world. It's important to be able to propose new ways and new sounds without being stigmatised, censored or put aside.”
“I was raised by strong women, and the role models I had in music and cinema were strong, too - liberated and provocative.”
“When the public doesn't understand me, it's a battle. So when I choose words, I choose them for their musicality, rhythm, and sense, and I choose the right dialect to express that.”
“There is something spiritual about art that connects us with ourselves and with others; it's really about coming together and creating bridges.”
“I've always had a sense that I am doing something very important, something vital.”
“Without freedom and without humor, our cultures can't have a healthy evolution.”
“There should be no borders, race, colours, or ethnical considerations when it comes to music and creativity.”
“I'm Muslim but not really. My family did not care. And I always managed to skip religion classes when I was living in the Gulf, even when they were obligatory.”
“I'm inspired by many artists whose language I don't understand.”
“Collaborating with other artists is an emotional thing. Obviously, you don't do it unless this person inspires you.”
“You do not start by working on society; you start by yourself to be a freer person and a more independent person.”
“Singing is a very sensual activity! You engage in it with all your senses and your heart.”
“My family played a part in bringing communism to Lebanon.”
“With Soapkills, we were lucky. We started at a time of transition where things were not ready, nothing was available.”