Belly Chronicles the Palestinian Struggle on '96 Miles From Bethlehem'

Palestinian-Canadian rapper and singer Belly has just dropped his fourth full-length album ‘96 Miles From Bethlehem’, inspired by the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza. Belly describes the album as exploring "the gift, the curse, and the fate of being Palestinian."

Through a concise and personal perspective, Belly draws from his early experiences living in Jenin, the city of his birth, which is located 96 miles from Bethlehem, hence the album's title. The album features a dark, atmospheric soundscape that complements Belly’s poignant lyrics. In tracks like ‘Jenin’, Belly reflects on his formative years in the occupied West Bank city, expressing his longing to return home. Other tracks delve deeper into the harsh realities faced by Palestinians living under occupation, depicting their brutal circumstances and relentless fight for freedom.

Belly started his career in the early 2000s and rose to prominence as one of Canada's most successful rappers. However, he took a hiatus for several years to focus on songwriting and production, collaborating extensively with The Weeknd and contributing to major hits like ‘The Hills’ and ‘Blinding Lights’. Belly resumed his rapping career in 2018 with the release of his album, ‘Immigrant’.