Hussain Hajj

About me

Istanbul, Türkiye

Hussain Hajj (Memo Seyda): a musician from Syria based in Istanbul, Turkey.
In addition to Kurdish music, for which he has been writing songs since 1998, he has experience writing Arabic, English and Turkish songs
Despite his passion for and study of literature, coupled with his involvement in music as an amateur, he began pursuing a master’s degree in musicology a decade after completing his Bachelor of Arts. He completed this degree in 2018.
Produced and directed a documentary film "DÛMAN" about a Syrian Kurdish musician in 2019.
Founded ODEnsemble (Ortak Doğu) in 2015, which included musicians from various cultural backgrounds.
Along with his academic research on refugees and music, he conducted some music workshops with refugees.
Collaborated with musicians from Norway, the Golan Heights, and Syria on the 2019 album 'Every Child is a Prophet,' which portrays the plight of refugees on the Greek islands.
He is now working on his thesis to earn a doctorate in musicology.

Cultural background

  • Syrian Arab Republic

Project Music

My Blood is a Sea, the Ship My Body

Speech and movement are key agents to change. As someone trapped not able to return to a war-torn homeland where ongoing conflict and taboo discussions lead to death. Nor find refuge elsewhere without facing perilous paths. War has irreversibly altered the lives of countless people, yet we lack the means to advocate for change through speech or action. The ships of many of us are anchored to the shores of our homeland in a sea of our blood. Our song speaks for those deprived of freedom of expression and movement. Technical support: Utku Gürler.

  • Alternative
  • Blues
  • Fusion
  • Oriental
  • Pop
  • R&B / Soul
  • Rock
  • Traditional / Folk
  • World
  • New Age
  • Soundtrack
  • Bass-baritone
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Tenor
  • Chanting
  • Baglama / Saz
  • Bouzouki
  • Lute
  • Ud / Oud
  • Bass drum
  • Cajon
  • Cymbals
  • Darbuka
  • Drum set
  • Frame drum
  • Percussion
  • Clarinet
  • Saxophone
  • Trumpet
  • Kaval
  • Zurna
  • Belgium
  • Switzerland
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Turkey
The Boy, the Sea and the Eternal Sleep

This song recounts the heartrending tale of a child who drowned with his family while fleeing war—a daily catastrophe that befalls children from conflict zones worldwide. Children are pivotal to social change; their fresh perspectives and optimism challenge entrenched norms and pave the path toward a fairer future. As musicians, our solidarity and united voices can address societal issues, energize communities, heighten awareness, deepen understanding, and spark actions that drive progress toward a more compassionate and caring world.

  • Alternative
  • Ambient
  • Arabic
  • Blues
  • Electronic
  • Fusion
  • Improvisational
  • Jazz
  • Jazz-Rock
  • New Age
  • Oriental
  • R&B / Soul
  • Rock
  • Traditional / Folk
  • World
  • A capella
  • Bass-baritone
  • Chanting
  • Child’s voice
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Soprano
  • Tenor
  • Treble
  • Vocal percussion
  • Whistling / Humming
  • Synthesizer
  • Bouzouki
  • Lute
  • Ud / Oud
  • Cajon
  • Cymbals
  • Darbuka
  • Djembe
  • Drum set
  • Duff
  • Frame drum
  • Percussion
  • Shekere
  • Denmark
  • Germany
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Turkey
SALAM

As conflicts,inequality and discrimination rise, music unites us. It amplifies unheard voices, champions justice, and drives change. Embracing and celebrating diversity and welcoming the synergy that rises, this multilingual song brings us together for a mutual goal: "Salam"/peace. Hussain started the song with the phrase "Salam-u Alaykum"/Peace be upon you, a melody, and two riffs. Tefo added another dimension while Lalou introduced a unique vocal tone, and Collekta and Icyn_k unified these challenging diverse elements into a harmonious piece.

  • African
  • Arabic
  • Electronic
  • Funk
  • Fusion
  • Hip Hop / Rap
  • Improvisational
  • New Age
  • Oriental
  • R&B / Soul
  • Religious / Spiritual
  • Ritual
  • Rock
  • Traditional / Folk
  • Vocal
  • World
  • A capella
  • Background vocals
  • Baritone
  • Bass
  • Chanting
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Rapping
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Tenor
  • Treble
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Whistling / Humming
  • Yodeling
  • Synthesizer
  • Bouzouki
  • Bongo drum
  • Denmark
  • Ghana
  • Nigeria
  • South Africa
  • Syrian Arab Republic
I Don't Feel Well

Social and psychological alienation, compounded by feelings of loneliness and isolation, emerge as profound consequences of war-induced separation and societal upheaval. Families torn apart, groups fragmented, and the dissonance between past bonds and present individualism all fuel the transformative currents reshaping societies amidst conflict and displacement. We may not feel well, but through collaborative music, we might be able to share our stories, ease our burden, alleviate the feeling of estrangement, and thrive as cohesive communities.

  • Blues
  • Flamenco
  • Latino
  • Oriental
  • Pop
  • Rock
  • Traditional / Folk
  • World
  • Bass-baritone
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Tenor
  • Baglama / Saz
  • Bass guitar
  • Bouzouki
  • Classical guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Ud / Oud
  • Percussion
  • Argentina
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Turkey
We Are

Music has a remarkable ability to transcend cultural, linguistic, and social barriers: A powerful tool for social change and unity. Musicians have the opportunity to amplify marginalized voices, advocate for social justice, and inspire positive change. In "We Are," we endeavored and succeeded in bringing musicians from diverse cultures onto the same stage, each contributing from their own background and context. There were moments when communicating through music proved easier than discussing the music itself. "We are who we are for a reason."

  • African
  • Arabic
  • Christian / Gospel
  • Electronic
  • Hip Hop / Rap
  • New Age
  • Oriental
  • Pop
  • R&B / Soul
  • World
  • A capella
  • Background vocals
  • Bass-baritone
  • Rapping
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Tenor
  • Organ electric
  • Synclavier
  • Synthesizer
  • Bouzouki
  • Violin
  • Darbuka
  • Drum set
  • Percussion
  • Riq / Riqq / Rik
  • Netherlands
  • Nigeria
  • Spain
  • Syrian Arab Republic
Naybahood (Die Welt Ein Dorf)

The whole world is a village and everyone gets involved and enriches the community. Everyone is valuable and makes the neighborhood a livable and colorful place, an oasis in which you feel comfortable, safe and at home. We come together and complement each other, forming something bigger.

  • Arabic
  • Asian
  • Fusion
  • Hip Hop / Rap
  • Oriental
  • Traditional / Folk
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Rapping
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Synthesizer
  • Bouzouki
  • Ud / Oud
  • Turntables
  • Austria
  • China
  • Germany
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Turkey
  • France
  • Myanmar
Nuworld (Eine Neue Welt)

We have to think ahead, a new time and a new world are waiting for us on the horizon. The journey is long, but it begins with the first valuable step. In the end, a life of love, peace and harmony awaits us all. We believe in this with all our hearts. However, there still needs to be a rethink in many minds. Only community brings us to our goal. The lyrics in Nuworld are written in a very poetically vintage kinda style, in memory of the great poets and thinkers.

  • Arabic
  • Fusion
  • Hip Hop / Rap
  • Oriental
  • Traditional / Folk
  • World
  • Rapping
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Synthesizer
  • Bouzouki
  • Austria
  • Germany
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Turkey
  • Iraq
Changez

This song calls for a revolution of love against hate and separation. We are all equal, we are all one. We have to change, because we are heading inexorably towards the abyss. There can only be one way, that of cohesion and community. Our future is in our hands. Only we are the key to a united and peaceful world.

  • Arabic
  • Hip Hop / Rap
  • World
  • Dance / EDM
  • Oriental
  • Background vocals
  • Rapping
  • Singer
  • Synthesizer
  • Bouzouki
  • Austria
  • Germany
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Turkey
Tenê Me (I'm alone and not!)

Tenê Me is an existentialist conflict. Story being torn between two completely different choices and feelings. It consists of three parts connected by a main theme. Its course is different from that of life: It begins with hopelessness (death) and ends with hopefulness (birth). The rap part shows complaint and resistance, synthesizing hope and despair. Singing style and the beat reveal hints of determination and aggression. Melodies in higher pitches lead to a positive ending. The percussive instruments at the end support hoping.

  • Blues
  • Electronic
  • Hip Hop / Rap
  • Oriental
  • Vocal
  • World
  • A capella
  • Background vocals
  • Baritone
  • Rapping
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Electric piano
  • Piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Bouzouki
  • Electric guitar
  • Ud / Oud
  • Germany
  • Norway
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Turkey
Az Da World Turnz

We need changes, the world has to turn and the people have to overthink how they live and treat each other. We don´t last long, if we not learn from all the wrongs we´re doing for hundreds of years.

  • Arabic
  • Hip Hop / Rap
  • Oriental
  • R&B / Soul
  • Traditional / Folk
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Rapping
  • Singer
  • Baglama / Saz
  • Bouzouki
  • Electric guitar
  • Germany
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Turkey
  • United States of America
Hold Oss
Play
  • Award Winner
  • Album Track

This is my composition "Hold Oss", and I have collaborated with Hussain Hajj, Jens Kristian Rimau and Gamze Yilmazel. I have written the lyrics about the dehumanization of refugees, when you are a refugee you lose your name, your identity. The lyrics are ment to force the listener to find the nameless and faceless refugee inside themselves, to look for the humanity and similarities. Hussain Hajj plays the oud and bouzouki, and sings with me. Gamze Yilmazel plays the guitar, and Jens Kristian Rimau has done programming and mix.

  • Soundtrack
  • Traditional / Folk
  • World
  • Singer
  • Electric piano
  • Norway
  • Syrian Arab Republic
Lo/Ve

If bodily love is `low,` and spiritual love is `above`, then why would we yearn to see, get close and caress our lover/beloved ones. Both Arabic and Kurdish lyrics center on the conflict of soul and body in love. It is a conflict of my Kurdish and Arabic cultutres. Marthe comes with her middle part as a mediator. To bridge between the cultures, and between the two aspects of love, the two parties of conflict. We cannot live alone, we need each other. In the last part there is a conflict beween Nahawand and Bayat maqams (musical scales).

  • Arabic
  • Improvisational
  • Jazz
  • Minimal
  • Religious / Spiritual
  • Traditional / Folk
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Baritone
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Tenor
  • Piano
  • Baglama / Saz
  • Bouzouki
  • Ud / Oud
  • Norway
  • Syrian Arab Republic

No submissions for Beyond Music Project Volume 2.

No submissions for Beyond Music Project Volume 1.