Palestinian-Jordanian singer Zeyne, born Zein Izzat Sajdi, has built a flourishing music career after a postponed move from Amman to London due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her debut album 'Awda' (Return), released in October 2025, has garnered tens of millions of streams and critical acclaim for its blend of R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and classic Arabic music.
From PR to Music Stardom
Before the pandemic, Zeyne was preparing to work for a PR firm in London. When lockdowns delayed her relocation, she began posting song covers on Instagram, which quickly gained popularity. Encouraged, she started releasing original material in English and Arabic, leading to a full-time music career.
Heritage as Strength
Zeyne emphasizes that her Palestinian-Jordanian identity is integral to her music. 'It shapes how I think, how I feel, how I write, how I sing,' she says. 'I never had to put my identity into the music — it was there from the first note.' She views her roots as a source of strength, not a limitation.
The Meaning of 'Awda'
The album title 'Awda' refers to returning to a lost part of herself. 'It's less about returning to a place than about returning to a part of myself I had lost touch with,' she explains. 'The album became a kind of reconciliation with myself. It's the most personal thing I've ever made.'
Incorporating Tradition Modernly
Zeyne incorporates traditional elements like dabke into her work with respect. 'Heritage is not a decoration I add. It's part of what the work actually is,' she states. Dabke has given her a different relationship with the ground and taught her that the body can hold memory and history.
Legacy and Responsibility
Zeyne hopes her music leaves an emotional impact. 'If someone hears one of my songs years from now and feels a little less alone, then my music did exactly what I wanted it to do,' she says. As a rising female voice from the region, she feels a responsibility to young Arab girls, wanting them to see that their culture is part of what makes them stand out.
Challenging Stereotypes
She is frustrated by the stereotype that Arab women must choose between being strong or soft, modern or rooted. 'My entire artistic identity is built on refusing to be categorized,' she asserts. 'Real strength lies in not covering up your fragility, but being able to own it.'
Family Influence
Zeyne credits the women in her family for teaching her that strength does not need to be loud. 'My mother and my sister were steady, patient — the kind of people who keep going regardless,' she recalls. 'They taught me that endurance is its own strength.'
International Recognition and Challenges
With international recognition, Zeyne works to protect her private creative space. 'The honesty of those moments is what gives everything else its worth,' she says. She distances herself from online noise and values time away from screens. 'Some of the best ideas arrive when you pull back a little and let yourself listen to your own voice.'
Collaborations and Performances
Zeyne collaborated with Saint Levant after sending him her song 'Balak'. They recorded his part remotely and later shot the video together. She performed in front of over 65,000 people at Ed Sheeran's concerts in Bahrain and Qatar, learning from his ability to connect personally with large crowds. She has also worked with MDLBEAST in Saudi Arabia, which released her album, and performed at Soundstorm in Riyadh.
Future Dreams
Zeyne still has many dreams, including new stages and sounds. 'What matters most to me today is creating a new artistic chapter that surprises people while remaining true to the authenticity I believe in,' she says. In ten years, she imagines being calmer, more confident, and more courageous, having created impactful work while staying connected to her roots.
