Portfolio

Jafra Productions is a pioneering music hub and artist incubator based in Ramallah, Palestine, with its roots dating back to 2010. Jafra Productions has been playing an active role in artist development within MENA's music industry. Jafra supports artists and professionals alike to thrive on global stages and export music from the MENA to the world.

Mission, Vision, and Values

Vision

Empowering MENA music to shine globally, uniting diverse voices, and fostering a sustainable music industry.

Mission

Championing MENA artists, cultivating a more dynamic music ecosystem, and providing the tools to elevate the regional music industry.

Values

Respect, Expertise, Fairness, Transparency, Equal Opportunities

Community Need

“MENA is the fastest-growing region in the world in the music industry” Global Music Report, IFPI.

The Ramallah Municipality's efforts have propelled the city into UNESCO's Creative Cities Network, cementing its status as a center of musical excellence and cultural innovation.

*An event in 2022 at Ramallah cultural palace,* *one of the cultural facilities managed by the Ramallah Municipality.*

Our Impact

Jafra has played a pivotal role in the development of the Palestinian music ecosystem through several significant projects, with the most notable ones being the Palestinian Music Conference and the development of intellectual property law for the music industry.

*A session on music industry education in Palestine as part of the Palestine Music Conference on Sept. 21, 2023.*

Over the past fourteen years, Jafra's programs have made substantial contributions to the music industry, benefiting both musicians and the music-loving audience.

Producing and publishing 74 musical works in collaboration with over 400 musicians.

Distributing and promoting over 40 musical works involving more than 250 musicians.

750+ international music shows attracting nearly one million actual audience members.

Facilitating 20+ business deals for Palestinian musicians and bands.

Directing and producing music for over ten dance and theater productions.

*The audience in Toronto enjoying Le Trio Joubran's event on July 16, 2022.*

Market Opportunity

The Palestinian music market offers tremendous potential, both locally and globally. With a significant diaspora community spread across the world, Jafra has a unique opportunity to reach a diverse and widespread audience.

Total Palestinian Population 14.5 Million

Inside Palestine 7.2 Million

Palestinian Diaspora Worldwide Approx. 7.3 Million

Notable Diaspora Communities

Chile: +500,000
USA: +250,000
Europe, the Middle East, and Beyond

Core Programs

A unique music incubator boosting emerging artists’ talents and careers. Through NEST, we have supported over 350 aspiring artists through skills training, mentorship, and access to professional studios and equipment since 2010. Happening annually, NEST is a music incubator program in Palestine with a disruptive concept of empowering artist education tools, and sharing new ways of working and approaches to music composition in today’s world.

NEST is implemented through three distinct phases, allowing participants to focus on one area at a time and assess their development and eligibility for each stage. Let's take a closer look at each phase:

Global Beats

An 8-week immersion into the music industry led by international experts. Covers everything from streaming platforms to music PR. You will get the global perspective you need to navigate your music career.

SoundLab

This is where your music comes to life. Artists will receive production support and mentorship, and have the opportunity to showcase their music, meet and collaborate with industry professionals, and network. An external committee will select the artists to advance to the third phase.

Sustainable Future

In this final phase, artists receive strategic support and mentorship. They will pitch their music to diverse music labels and industry professionals to secure deals. Artists will have the freedom to select deals that align with their vision and career goals.

*Performing Ghammaz song by Tareq Abboushi, one of the program’s participants, and his band Kaf Afreet, as part of the Nest program on March 20, 2023.*

Dinamiin talking about the benefits of Nest during a lunch activity and jam session with all the participants of phase one.

Technology and Music Innovation - An academic program empowering new entrepreneurs with cutting-edge knowledge and skills supported by industry experts in partnership with the renowned Dar Al Kalima University.

Innovative Academic Program

Pioneering the fusion of technology and music through academia, with mentorship from industry experts.

First in MENA

Trailblazing is the first program in the MENA region dedicated to modernizing the music industry.

Industry Evolution

Catalyzing growth in music and entertainment with a focus on sustainable industry development.

Practical & Theoretical Synergy

Blending hands-on experience with academic knowledge for market-ready skills.

Locally Rooted, Globally Minded

Tailored to Palestinian needs while embracing a global outlook for universal relevance.

A program that envisions the build-up of a social-digital platform bridging music creators with their audiences, and fostering a harmonious community to shape their growth. This stems from the services that are expected to be exchanged within Gazal, such as digital distribution, booking, and management. With the potential of thousands of artists and music consumers in Palestine and in all of its tight-knit diaspora communities to be connected through Gazal, we aim to enable meaningful engagement and unblock a true fan-centric approach to the creators’ careers.

Why do we do differently?

Local Roots, Global Vision

Based in Palestine, we bring Palestinian culture to global beats and be competitive in international stages.

Creators-First Approach

We're musicians too, so we get what’s required for creators to thrive.

Multi-genre Flexibility

From traditional to electronic, we don't limit creativity. We would rather enhance it and support it.

Incubator Edge

Not just a label, but a growth platform for artists to be in a safe where their creativity is valued.

Cultural Advising

We make music that resonates globally, thanks to our multicultural roots.

Le Trio Joubran: Icons of Global Acclaim

“Le Trio Joubran, three brothers from Palestine, musicians sought after worldwide, are progressing in their art thanks to a big amount of individual and collective effort and to the deep love and respect of music and public ”

*From left to right, Adnan, Wissam, and Samir Joubran.*

Performance and Recognition

Trio Joubran has graced stages at premier venues worldwide, garnering numerous accolades and composing award-winning scores for international films. Their legacy celebrates Palestinian musical innovation and excellence on the global stage.

Commitment to Social Causes

Annually, Trio Joubran directs 5% of its concert revenues to social initiatives. The notable Trio Joubran Marathon raised over $1 million for breast cancer support, and their UNRWA fundraising concert aids in preserving a digital archive of Palestinian refugee history since 1948.

Global Harmonies Trio Joubran’s Collaborative Symphony

Trio Joubran's collaborations with global icons have produced transcultural masterpieces. Their 13-year world tour with the legendary Palestinian-global poet Mahmoud Darwish, the collaboration with Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, and their work with the renowned band Coldplay highlight their international acclaim and influence.

*Samir Joubran with Roger Waters in New York, 2020.*

Jafra's Roster: Global Sounds Rising

Tareq Aboushi

A multifaceted composer and maestro of the buzuq, weaves a rich tapestry of sound, fusing Arabic maqams with vibrant jazz and funk. A graduate in jazz piano, his eclectic compositions have taken center stage in the bands he’s joined and the albums he’s released with Shusmo.

Watch • Listen • Facebook • Instagram

*Tareq Aboushi performing at* *Nest program on March 20, 2023.*

Ebaa Monther

A trailblazing voice from the Golan Heights blends the haunting melodies of her mountain roots with a bold rap edge. Her music defies genres, weaving together folklore, hip-hop, and theatrical elements to explore complex identities and the spirit of rebellion.

Watch • Listen • Facebook • Instagram

*Ebaa Monther performing at Nest program on March 20, 2023.*

Faris Ishaq

A nay virtuoso and innovative composer, crafts a unique auditory journey, marrying the soulful breaths of Arabic and Indian music with the improvisational spirit of jazz. A Berklee alumnus and music therapist, Faris's albums and live performances resonate on a global stage, from London to Monterey, inviting listeners into his world of cross-cultural musical dialogue.

Watch • Listen • Facebook • Instagram • Tiktok

*Faris performing at Nest program on March 21, 2023.*

Marwan Halabi

An eclectic soul weaver infuses his Arabic roots with the spirituality of Indian ragas and the raw emotion of the blues. Shaped by the complex tapestry of life under occupation, Marwan’s songs, such as “Nafham Ala Baad” and “Liqaa al-Malaeka,” echo with a fusion of rock and alternative Arabic melodies, offering a unique voice that transcends borders and trends.

Watch • Spotify • SoundCloud • Facebook • Instagram • Tiktok

*Marwan performing at* *Nest program on March 21, 2023.*

How our artists are performing on the streaming platforms

Our digital distribution efforts have been successful in promoting the work of 35 artists in Palestine. From December 1st, 2022 until October 13, 2023, we have achieved a total of 216,434 audio streams across various platforms (such as Spotify, Apple Music, Anghami, and TikTok).

The top five countries where our artists’ music has been streamed the most are

Egypt 34,501 audio streams

Morocco 34,585 audio streams

United States 15,467 audio streams

France 17,937 audio streams

Germany 14,548 audio streams

This highlights the global reach and impact of our distribution efforts and further emphasizes the international appeal of our artists' music.

Through playlists, we’ve been getting much-needed exposure by showcasing our artists’ releases in playlists across the various digital platforms, especially on Spotify. Dina Miin, Yazan Ibrahim, and Terez Sliman are the top three emerging artists within Jafra Productions with the most features in public playlists. This has been providing them marketing exposure to over 150,000 potential fans, i.e., the combined universe of followers of these playlists.

Board of Directors

In 2022, we were honored to announce the formation of Jafra’s Board of Directors made up of 13 members. Our board includes prominent artists, pioneers and directors of leading institutions in Palestine, namely Suleiman Mansour, Bassem Khoury, Manal Zureik, Aref Al-Husseini, Youssef Habash, Yaqoub Hammouda, Mahmoud Awad, Imad Khoury, Wael Al-Saadi, Ruba Al-Mimi, Noura Trish, Rami Al-Sabaa, Rola Shannar.