From Ghetto Streets to Empire's Suites with Suhel Nafar

Today, we're joined by Suhel Nafar, a trailblazer whose journey from the stages of Palestine to the executive offices of Empire in the U.S. embodies the spirit of resilience and innovation. Born into the charged atmosphere of Lyd, where survival was a daily challenge, Suhel transformed the adversity of his youth into a powerful artistic expression. Suhel taught himself English by listening to Hip-hop artists such as Dead Prez, 2Pac, and The Notorious B.I.G. Which later led him to becoming a founding member of DAM, the first Arab rap group. He not only pioneered a genre but also used music as a lens to explore and confront the complexities of Palestinian identity under occupation. Now in the U.S., Suhel continues to break barriers, from orchestrating Spotify’s expansion into the Arab world to amplifying voices through Empire’s Western Asia and North Africa division. Join us as Suhel shares his remarkable journey of cultural bridge-building, his evolution from musician to music executive, and how he turns challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. You can check out Empire here: https://www.instagram.com/empire.wana/