KOKYM (LIVE) // CANADA DEBUT
Don’t miss fellahi pop pioneer, Kokym, live in Toronto for the very first time!
Kokym is redefining what Arabic pop can sound and feel like. He has carved out a genre of his own: fellahi pop - a playful, genre-defying sound rooted in the dialect, humour, storytelling and lived experiences of Palestinian rural life.
His music fuses electronic pop with folk influences, creating a sound that feels raw, honest, and instantly recognizable.
Tracks move between satire and sincerity, between village nostalgia and modern production. His use of everyday language and cultural references brings an immediacy that cuts through, making his music feel both hyper-specific and widely relatable.
ABOUT KOKYM
Kokym (Karam Khalaf) is a Palestinian singer-songwriter and cultural innovator, widely recognized as the pioneer of fellahi pop, a genre that merges Levantine folklore with contemporary pop.
Born and raised in Jatt Al-Muthalath, he began making music at 13 before moving to Istanbul to study Arabic music more formally. Since his debut, he has amassed over 10 million streams, 5 million video views, and a community of 300K+ followers, with features across major platforms including AJ+, BBC, and Sky News Arabia.
His discography spans multiple EPs and albums, including KAFR EL TUFFAH and KOKÈMON, showcasing a sound that continues to evolve while staying grounded in identity and experimentation.
Find KOKYM online:
OPENING ACTS
ZICO & HYTHAM
Photo credits @jayreid.psd
Zico is a Cairo-born and raised hip-hop and spoken word artist. He writes with a sharp, poetic pen from a personal and intimate perspective, hoping his words can create whatever small moments of solace art can offer. His first poetry collection, Reeds: The Ideal Gathering of The Unwell, collects pieces on personal and collective diasporic experiences, calling us in to find comfort and consolation in sharing them with each other.
Hytham Farah is a classically trained Palestinian Oudist based in Toronto. He is involved in several music projects, performing as a guest with local bands and at charity events. His main project is @QalbiBasha, a blend of jazz and Tarab focusing primarily on music from the Levant and Egypt.
Hytham is passionate about sustaining Palestinian culture through honouring classical and modern Palestinian compositions.