زين

around a year ago, ala and i decided we wanted to bring friends from around the 🌎 to ahangama, one of our favourite spots on earth. we didn’t know how we were going to get there, but we had a clear vision, and so the seeds were planted. a little over six months ago, we booked a nonrefundable hotel out (without realizing), and looked at each other and said “i guess we’re really doing this”. we already had launched by jello then, and although a big risk, doing this felt so right. so we spent six months planning, communicating, booking (hotels, artists, flights, venues, food, staff). we partnered with incredible teams on the ground, who we couldn’t have done it without (@saranasrilanka - @trax_ahangama - @lighthouse_ahangama - @noctuary.events - @palmhotelsrilanka - @thesoulsrilanka to name a few) we learned as we went, pouring everything into it, and the end result was magical 🥹 an organic space was created with friendly faces—both familiar and new—and a shared energy that was safe, intimate, fun, free, welcoming, and private ♥️ filled with giggles, connections, and boogies we return with full hearts and feeling so honoured and proud to have been trusted with this - what a warm and inspiring start to 2025 more projects from our heart to come from @by.jello - this is just the start 🪼🪩♥️

hi! welcome to ep1 of my deep dive series into different artists & genres, mostly from our region it was IMPOSSIBLE to fit even 10% of info about the legendary dahmane el harrachi and his chaâbi music into 90 seconds fun facts i couldn’t squeeze into this video: • dahmane isn’t his real name • he also made music under a different alias (something interesting for you to discover) • chaâbi music has so many instruments, like the mandole, violin and the derbouka • the mandole is kind of like a banjo (and it’s unclear how it made its way to north africa at the time) lmk what you think, send over any requests and stay tuned for the next one ❣️

choosing what to say in a video about ziad rahbani feels impossible. while i’m speaking, i think of all the other things i could be saying. after recording, going back to his music, or learning something new about him, there’s a whole world of things to talk about 🙇🏽‍♀️ so i’ll make some more of these, in the hope of doing some justice to his legacy. he’s one of my musical idols, and i truly believe there’s no one quite like him in the way he approached composing, writing lyrics, playing instruments, and turning his experience, politics, commentary, humour into music that still feels like so sharp & relevant today

a little over a month ago, we did it again. we gathered frens, new and old, in the beautiful, chaotic/relaxing ahangama, a special place that ala and i have grown quite attached to. this time around, it felt different. i learned that each edition comes with a personality of its own, and comparison has no place. this time, we also had company within jello. an incredible team to help build, organize, and bring it all to life (and bring each other back to life). we also had a little +1 growing inside 🐣 which added a fun and unique layer to organizing a retreat/festival/pop-up city/whatever by jello is evolving into so organically i am left feeling inspired by what happens when like minded people gather with intention, with creative structure and over a longer stretch of time. what happens when you are pushed out of your comfort zone to try a new experience, a new craft, listen to music you otherwise wouldn’t, and get to know a new way of being. especially with age, it feels more important to step outside of individualism and living only with routine, comfort and familiarity. community (in all its chaos) is powerful… whatever it means to you there’s so much we are working on and brainstorming. overwhelming at times but mostly exciting. i do feel something special is being nurtured. and i feel so grateful that our mission resonates with many people, organically. i also feel grateful that so many wonderful artists, creatives, and creators felt a calling to join us. i write filled with love, gratitude, and hope for what’s to come, and for the environment our little sun will grow up in. especially in an increasingly online and distant world, meaningful irl connection feels more needed than ever ♥️🌞

This one's special 👁️❤️‍🔥👁️ 31 Jan . @reunion.dxb Tickets via link: https://link.tickit.co/7x8j Table bookings: +971 58 566 8498 Artwork: @yasminamrowa

lovely moments of music over the last few weeks 💌 big thank u to @sectacollective , @honeycombhifi / @lazaruskilledjazz , @miumiu for having me share records / energy 🥰

SECTA OPEN AIR 🧪 GARAGE LINEUP Excited to present the amazing artists that will take over the Garage stage in the complex next Sat Nov 22. Tucked inside a repurposed boat garage, this transformed intimate space becomes a low-slung hi-fi retreat made for listening. A dedicated vinyl enclave that folds seamlessly into our Art Hub and Marketplace. Exquisite precision-engineered sound by @danleysoundlabs The Lineup @chebmoha a deep-digging selector and multidisciplinary artist whose work spans photography, design, and cultural storytelling. Known for unearthing sounds from the far south and beyond, he crafts warm, analog-driven listening sets widely inspired by the Arab world. @zenim__ A DJ and selector backed by a hefty, ever-evolving collection shaped through a lifelong journey across instruments and genres, from classical piano to 90s hip-hop. Her style is playful and blends eras and unexpected sounds, bringing light and groove to each set. She’s also the founder of @by.jello @almo.100 Emirati-born and Dubai-bred, almo١٠٠ has shaped his sound through his years abroad, drawing from each city’s endless dance archives. A dedicated record digger and selector, his sets move between the rare, the unexpected, and the joyfully timeless, always rooted in pure love for the craft. @community_________service takeover by @cyrillreaidy Collaborating for a playlist takeover with this new weekly community hangout series and excited to have Cyrill back at Open Air in another form. Expect dubby, warm techno and liquid jungle vibes. This stage is in collaboration with @eltonymate.dxb @moduldashproduction TICKETS VIA LINK IN BIO → We are proud to be able to push local and regional artists, don’t miss the chance to come support them.

she’s BACK after an almost ~1yr ✨hiatus✨ with a deep dive into ‘caravan to baghdad’ by hamid baroudi. one of my favourites -here are some fun facts: - he made his stage debut at age 13 in his hometown of Tiaret, Algeria. - caravan to baghdad topped charts in 17 countries during the gulf war era - in the early 2000s he founded his own studio, “hogar music” in algeria, to help younger artists record outside the mainstream hope you enjoyed and see u 4 the next one ♥️

hiii i’m excited for the next ~2 months. here’s where i’ll be (will update with more as we go) ☀︎ 25/10- ADE for @threads_and_thrills_ , amsterdam 01/11 - jello stage @see.eee.eek , dubai 07/11 - honeycomb, dubai 14/11 - miu miu, dubai 22/11 - open air @sectacollective dubai ♡i forgot if i have anything here pls remind me if i do okay i just added one ^ ♡ 06/12 - xp, riyadh 12/12- TBA showcase, dubai 18/12- TBA, amman 30/12 - nye @by.jello , sri lanka

hi i gathered and sorted all your podcast reccos so you never get bored in the gym or on your long walk or wherever - link in bio with links out - hope it’s helpful and you enjoy them 💌 thx for sending

in the beautiful cedars 🌞🌳🪩 with @lacabanadelamontagna 💌

i💟wadi rum - it’s always a joy to play here, this time was extra special with my amazing mama by my side + it was her first time in rum (!!!) anyway a big thanks to @manig_ram @tithoreanyc for inviting me 💌