It was meant to be a heartwarming tale: six young individuals, lifted from anonymity to achieve stardom in the music industry. This is how Neta Rozenblat, a member of the boyband as1one, describes their journey.
Typically, pop aspirants do not find themselves maneuvering through fear, sorrow, and intricate political dilemmas before they’ve even gained recognition – yet their narrative is anything but ordinary.
As1one is promoted as the inaugural Israeli Jewish and Palestinian Arab boyband, formed after an extensive two-year quest by American producers known for creating hits for artists like Maroon 5 and Kings Of Leon.
Despite receiving substantial backing, including from prominent figures – they collaborated with Nile Rodgers in London’s Abbey Road for their inaugural single – they have encountered backlash and criticism as Israel’s military actions in Gaza persist. “Wrong Direction,” one headline states, while other commentators deem the concept as being in questionable taste.
As1one and Nile Rodgers. Pic: Andrew Berkowitz
The group comprises six members: four Israelis and two Palestinians, including Nadav Philips, Niv Lin, Aseel Farah, Ohad Attia, and Sadik Abu Dogosh, alongside Rozenblat, all in their early twenties.
They aspire to emulate the success of BTS in the Middle East. Their sole desire has always been to sing, but now they aim to convey a message of solidarity.
Following auditions and the vetting process, the young men flew out to Los Angeles to commence work on October 6, 2023. “On to the next adventure,” they shared on Instagram prior to their departure, blissfully unaware of what lay ahead.
The very next morning, they awoke to reports of Hamas’s assault on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and over 200 individuals being taken captive. In the wake of Israel’s retaliation, at least 44,500 Palestinians have reportedly died, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 militants.
“We were simply enjoying ourselves, pursuing our dreams,” recounts Lin, 23, a singer and pianist from the southern Israeli town of Sapir, situated near the location of the Supernova music festival, where more than 360 people lost their lives. During his early days in LA, he learned that a friend had been killed. “Suddenly, the war began. We truly didn’t know how to react.”
They considered the option of returning home, he explains. “Then we realized we have a significant opportunity. We can demonstrate to the world that it is feasible for Israelis and Palestinians to collaborate… identity doesn’t define capability.”
‘We are simply six musicians, at the end of the day’
Participating via Zoom from LA, the band members are closely arranged, camera poised, as they take turns responding to inquiries with 22-year-old Rozenblat, who plays the piano, guitar, and violin, leading the discussion. They present a polished boyband appearance, radiating smiles and excitement, yet are candid when addressing their detractors.
Rozenblat, who performed duty as a medic in the Israeli army, notes that the band was established prior to the outbreak of the current conflict and was “never meant to serve as a political statement.” Nonetheless, it is difficult to disregard the political implications given that their marketing emphasizes their unique identity as an “Israeli-Palestinian boyband.”
“We all share our perspectives, and we take each opinion and emotion with utmost seriousness,” states 22-year-old Farah, the group’s rapper and dancer, while addressing the discrepancy of having four Israeli and two Palestinian members rather than a balanced representation.
“Sadik and I carry Palestinian identities, whereas the remaining four identify as Israeli… ultimately, we are here for our music.”
“This combination just made more sense,” Philips interjects, highlighting that these six individuals worked best together.
“In the new environment we currently inhabit [in light of the ongoing war], it’s easier to introspect and genuinely seek some kind of deeper meaning,” Rozenblat elaborates. “While people might classify us as four Israelis and two Palestinians, we are merely six musicians, at the end of the day.”
In a fractured world, as1one emerges united through camaraderie, solidarity, and music. Our hearts ache for every life lost, those injured, and the mourning families. We are vocalists and musicians. We represent both Israelis and Palestinians. We originate from the same region. While each of us is distinct, we stand together as one. This principle inspires our band, and we dream that one day it will inspire the world as well.
The pursuit of ‘diverse’ talent
The music executives behind as1one, Ken Levitan and James Diener, express their intention to form a “global, cutting-edge pop ensemble stemming from the Middle East” and to display the “remarkable and undeniable talent emerging from this region on an international platform.”
Concentrating on Israel and its rich tapestry of cultures and legacies, Diener notes via email following the group’s interview. “Subsequently, we endeavored to assemble a varied collection of singers, rappers, instrumentalists, and dancers from across the nation.”
Farah hails from a Palestinian community in Haifa. Abu Dogosh is located in Rahat, a city populated by Arab Bedouins in Israel’s Southern District.
Auditions for as1one did not take place in the West Bank or Gaza because of mobility restrictions and travel limitations, which were “widely recognized… even prior to the ongoing conflict,” comments Levitan.
In the end, there were no “viable options” available to seek talent in those regions, he articulates. “Nevertheless, our objective was to discover a lineup that was as diverse as possible, incorporating musicians from the approximately two million Palestinian Arabs residing within Israel during our search.”
He reveals they consulted local authorities, including Palestinian Arab musical professionals, ensuring their initiatives were “as considerate and inclusive as they could be,” backed by the families of those auditioning.
Can as1one genuinely reflect the community? And how do Palestinians in those occupied lands perceive a polished, joyous boyband conveying a message of harmony amid a reality where the road to peace is far more convoluted?
The group made an appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York earlier this year. Pic: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
‘We’re not politicians – we don’t have the solution’
During the interview, Rozenblat articulates that they all have always desired to sing. Both Farah and Abu Dogosh share that they maintain family and friends in the West Bank.
“We’re not politicians,” asserts Rozenblat. “We lack the answers to resolve the conflict. Our purpose is to create music.” Nonetheless, he recognizes the root of the inquiries related to their backgrounds.
“We are Israelis and we are Palestinians. We have lived this experience… frequently, dialogue refers to the conflict as two sides, overlooking the individuals [involved]. These are our families, our people, they are our friends. People we are personally acquainted with are engaged in this struggle, and we want to remind everyone that we share our humanity.”
According to Attia, 22, a vocalist who plays guitar, bass, and drums, they all receive backing from their families and friends. “Upon our arrival, we all contemplated returning. Our worries for our families were immense, especially during this challenging period in our lives and theirs. Yet they communicated their desire for us to stay here.”
A new four-part documentary chronicles the band’s formation and the substantial efforts leading up to their debut. Before selecting the final 20 candidates in 2022, more than 1,000 young men auditioned throughout Israel, culminating in a boot camp in Neve Shalom, a distinctive village where Jewish and Arab citizens coexist harmoniously.
After the final six were chosen, the cameras documented their journey to Los Angeles. Having been “raised in such diverse ways,” the six young men found themselves “trying to persuade each other about what is right and wrong” following the Hamas attacks, Philips conveys. “The appropriate course is to listen.”
Read more from Sky News:
Dick Van Dyke expresses he’s ‘not afraid’ of death
Sabrina Carpenter to headline BST
“One must experience a bit of adversity to learn,” adds Farah. “We possess different backgrounds, varied opinions… ultimately, we all yearn for peace. We all desire a pathway to progress.”
Adjusting to a new lifestyle has varied in its intensity for different members. “It’s a significant shift from home,” notes Abu Dogosh, the most reserved of the group, who is depicted in the documentary reflecting on his “modest” upbringing. “We’re in the process of making this our new home.”
‘If it possesses good intentions, then it has the potential to be good’
According to Philips, they aspire to become the next largest boyband in the world. They have recently launched their second single, Stranger, in preparation for their self-titled debut album, following the release of their first single, All Eyes On Us, which features collaboration with Rodgers.
Farah expresses that he has drawn inspiration from the cultural shift instigated by BTS, who successfully “brought K-pop to a global audience”.
Together, as1one aims to evoke cultural transformations as well, he states. “We want those who produce groups to feel empowered to take risks, to venture into slightly controversial territory – because if the intention is genuine, it can yield positive results.”
In the wake of the interview, Levitan echoes Rozenblat’s sentiments, commenting that “the world is fundamentally different” now compared to when they embarked on their search. “We are all perceiving things through a fresh perspective”.
Nevertheless, music remains the backdrop to people’s experiences, he points out, and individuals will consistently find connections through it.
“All of this is what fuels us on the as1one journey – to craft exceptional music, bring people together, and spread positivity. We take great pride in as1one and their music.”
As1One: The Israeli-Palestinian Pop Music Journey is set to debut on Paramount+ from December 3rd
“`
