XO Records mainstay Belly dropped off his latest record, 96 Miles From Bethlehem.
The 9-track effort features Palestinian artists Saint Levant on “Baroudeh,” Ibrahim Maalouf on “Carry Me” and Elyanna and MC Abdul on “Maktub,” as well as traditional instrumentalists and production from DaHeala. 96 Miles From Bethlehem is billed as a “deeply personal project” for the artist as he not only pays homage to his Palestinian roots, but also highlights his home’s ongoing struggles. Belly utilizes his position as one of the most visible Palestinian artists in the mainstream, narrating “the gift, curse, and fate of being Palestinian” and detailing his journey with the utmost honesty, even naming the album in honor of his birthplace Jenin, which is 96 miles from Bethlehem.
All profits from the album will go to organizations supporting various Palestinian relief efforts. Stream Belly’s 96 Miles From Bethlehem on Spotify and Apple Music.
