My second album, RAISE A SYMPHONY is out now, on Bandcamp and across all streaming platforms.
‘Raise A Symphony’ is a response, a commentary on topics from colonialism to complicity of silence; from compromised politicians to the power of protest and gratitude to those on the frontlines of change; from displacement and sea migration to the desire to protect our loved ones and the need for kindness; to have faith in the future and the importance of searching for joy in the meantime.
The album title takes it name from Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech, where King calls for the nation to rise, to gather together to form a ‘beautiful symphony of brotherhood’.
Self-produced and independently released, ‘Raise A Symphony’, sees contributions from @saulwilliams , @deschanel_g , @mikekingkeyz , @kofimusic , @warsanshiree , @karlonibuje , @n.z.music , @thewach and @2000black . I would love for you to take a listen.
Written & Produced by @midnightroba Roba El-Essawy
Cover Photography by Yosra El-Essawy 🖤
Mixed by @thewach
Axis by myself and @saulwilliams , has been named in The @guardian by @katehutchinsonpow as one of ‘The Best Songs of 2025…You May Not Have Heard.’ Grateful!
Being heard has been a challenge, it’s true, especially given the content of my music. I’ve had ads denied, been clearly shadow banned and I’m sure many have tired of me.
But that’s ok. It is what it is. This is who I am right now. This is what I have to give.
For Khaled Nabhan and Reem, Soul of Soul.
Thank you @katehutchinsonpow
Thank you @saulwilliams 🖤
Artwork by @rmraffinity , Mixed by @thewach
This is Hebron, a song named after the city in the West Bank, a place that, to me, has long symbolised the struggle of the Palestinian people. The original name, Al-Khalil, has been displaced, along with so many of its residents, driven out of the city by the military oppression supporting the settlers. Palestinian businesses and homes that have remained are constantly at threat of daily abuse, to the effect that they protect themselves behind a chicken-wire cage, in front of their homes, above their streets. Settlers pelt waste from above, casting constant shadows onto the streets of Hebron.
Occupied Palestine as a whole is being systematically wiped out. Ethnically ‘cleansed’. Settler violence in the West Bank is out of control, supported by the occupation forces. Palestinian hostages, men, women and children are taken regularly, led away blindfolded, kept in inhuman conditions under illegal arrest.
Occupied Palestine is ruled under military rule, where now, acts of resistance by Palestinians, labelled as terrorists, are punishable by execution, within 90 days, without the opportunity of appeal. This punishment is applied to only Palestinians and not to its colonisers. Occupiers executing the indigenous for resisting.
The last time the death penalty was engineered to apply to one race and not another was in Nazi Germany.
Free Palestine and all Palestinian prisoners - civilians and resistance 🔻🔻 Photo by Yosra El-Essawy
…preparing for the Re:Percussions ‘Raise A Symphony’ Listening session today at @thestudiotwelve_ , hosted by the truly wonderful @barby_as and @rabzlan . Part Live PA, part vinyl play, come join us.
Re:Percussions this Thursday with @midnightroba
For this listening session, @barby_as has invited vocalist and producer MidnightRoba to share tracks from her new album Raise a Symphony and some of the music that inspires her.
Expect vinyl & delicious cocktails ✨
30 APR
6:30PM—10:30PM
AT STUDIO 12
link in bio ✨
MidnightRoba is the sobriquet of vocalist, songwriter and producer Roba El Essawy. She was the voice of electronic music trio Attica Blues and now produces her own music released independently on Sonder Records. Her latest album Raise A Symphony takes its name from Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech, presenting 15-tracks of music and vocals for our times. Roba’s poetic and deeply considered song writing explores colonialism to complicity of silence; from compromised politicians to the power of protest and gratitude to those on the frontlines of change. From displacement, migration, the desire to protect our loved ones and the need for kindness and to have faith in the future, Roba invites listeners to consider the importance of searching for joy amongst the all-encompassing despair. This album, a labour of deep love also features contributions from Saul Williams, Deschanel Gordon, Tony Kofi and others.
Barby and Rabz present RE-PERCUSSIONS as an invitation to gather, to listen deeply, and to follow the drum’s echoes—its histories and reverberations. It is a time for study, conversation, an opening to exploring unexpected connections, returns and resonances.
This month’s session on Barby has invited vocalist and producer MidnightRoba to share tracks from her new album Raise a Symphony and some of the music that inspires her.
MidnightRoba is the sobriquet of vocalist, songwriter and producer Roba El Essawy. She was the voice of electronic music trio Attica Blues and now produces her own music released independently on Sonder Records. Her latest album Raise A Symphony takes its name from Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech, presenting 15-tracks of music and vocals for our times. Roba’s poetic and deeply considered song writing explores colonialism to complicity of silence; from compromised politicians to the power of protest and gratitude to those on the frontlines of change. From displacement, migration, the desire to protect our loved ones and the need for kindness and to have faith in the future, Roba invites listeners to consider the importance of searching for joy amongst the all-encompassing despair. This album, a labour of deep love also features contributions from Saul Williams, Deschanel Gordon, Tony Kofi and others.
Ticket Link in Bio
Photo: Yosra El Essawy
Greenpeace announced that it will send a 50-metre ship to support the next Gaza aid flotilla, which is scheduled to depart Barcelona on Sunday - the very same ship I used in the artwork for ‘Giving Thanks’ alongside images of the Sumud Flotilla. Coincidence perhaps, wonderful news certainly.
Flotilla organisers have said the boat, Arctic Sunrise, will sail alongside more than 70 vessels and 1000 participants, in a new attempt - the largest ever - to break Israel’s ongoing illegal siege of Gaza. In a statement, the environmental organisation said it would provide “technical and operational maritime support” within the Mediterranean.
Not only is @greenpeace the biggest and best-known NGO to join the flotilla, but its practical assistance will likely prove crucial to the mission.
❤️🖤🤍 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚
It was my daughter’s idea to use one of her aunty’s photos for my album cover artwork. I knew exactly which one I would choose, even before I went through her hard drives.
My sister Yosra took this photo during the Egyptian Revolution, in the Spring of 2011. It makes me so incredibly proud to be able to present her work, beside my own. To collaborate with her. To hold OUR record in my hands finally.
Yosra passed in 2014. She was at least saved the heartbreak of watching this erasure continue to unfold - I know the weight of it would have broken her.
Raise A Symphony vinyl is on Bandcamp and should be available in a record store near you from next week, or ask them to order it in from Kudos. Check it out. It’s a beautiful, powerful photo. I don’t think the music’s so bad either.
MidnightRoba - Keep You Close
🖤
I won’t take for granted having my loved ones close, feeling they’re safe. How can any of us after what we continue to witness? Every day, a gift. Thank God ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ
Lucky enough to be with those you love, keep them close.
🖤
Big thanks to beautiful friends @sibibos@ranyazeineldine@faithingeeks@tillahji@djshortdrop@oneheartmedicine
THE HONOURABLE a song written with David Lammy in mind when he was foreign secretary. The Honourable is for all those politicians who were once progressive, trusted and raised on the shoulders of their communities, whose memories of their values have been squashed under the weight of power and money (contributions). Allowing the hunger strikers to die in prison is not justice. It’s another crime, and it will be a stain on his name forever. Free the Filton 24
