Quotes from Yasmine Hamdan

I have a sense of mission in a way. I've always worked on being free, as a woman and as an artist.

There is something spiritual about art that connects us with ourselves and with others; it's really about coming together and creating bridges.

I went from the most underground band in the world to signing with Madonna's producer and a record label that is extremely mainstream - it was interesting.

I sing in Arabic as a statement. It's art, and it's a challenge.

I'm bored, normally, when I travel.

It's complicated for my music to be accepted, even in Lebanon and the Arabic world - I sing in Arabic, but there's no lute, no classical instruments. Maybe with the Internet opening things up, things will change.

I had the urge to face my own limitation, and I needed to be bigger. I needed to be more professional and be in a more competitive environment because I wanted to grow as an artist. That's why I went to Europe.

All of the Arabic women I grew up listening to or watching had a very strong character.

I was raised by strong women, and the role models I had in music and cinema were strong, too - liberated and provocative.

It's interesting to be at once an insider and outsider. It's a way of learning how to find your way freely without the need of conforming or belonging.

I always had this crisis: where do I come from? I was never an insider, never an outsider; I was always in the middle. But it means I never have borders in my head.

There are many positive values that come with a Muslim upbringing. But when religion becomes about rules and hierarchies, when it starts to feel like a prison, I'm not interested.

I studied psychology at university.

'Al Jamilat' is not just feminist. It's an album with songs that feature women: women who are in love, rebellious women, political activists, women who are more submissive, women who are in charge.

If you have a drummer who alternates between fast and slow drumming, it can negatively affect the music.

Music liberated me.