The interview begins, but Daniel Saadon can’t help but hum some Arabic tunes before catching himself. "You see, it’s really in my blood," he says. Daniel Saadon is an Israeli singer, vocalist, and performer with a unique style that draws inspiration from a variety of musical genres. He creates true remix hits that blend oriental melodies, Hebrew and Arabic language, and classic Israeli tunes.
Of Tunisian descent, Daniel Saadon was immersed in oriental music from a young age. At home, he would listen to Moshe Habusha, whose musical style is influenced by Arabic sounds. "In my opinion, Moshe represents not only an icon but, above all, the foundations of Judeo-Arabic music. Back then, my parents didn’t like me listening to this kind of music; they told me it wasn’t good. But my love for Arabic music happened when I was in 5th grade. The student sitting next to me was listening to Georges Wassouf, a very famous artist in Lebanon and Syria. I didn’t know anything about Arabic music, but that day, I fell deeply in love with it," recalls Daniel, before singing a few lyrics in Arabic.
Once home from school, Daniel would connect to the internet and download over 1,000 music tracks from the Orient, staying up late into the night. Since then, his love for oriental music has only grown. "I started listening to sounds from Kuwait, Egypt, Bahrain, and the Emirates during recess at school on my MP3 player, while the others were playing soccer," Daniel recalls.
Leaving the IDF for Music
As he grew older, Daniel dreamed of becoming a singer, but his parents opposed the idea, arguing that the cultural world couldn't provide a stable income and urging him to choose a more stable career. "I enlisted in the army in an engineering unit, like the rest of my family, but it was hard for me because I was deeply bored, and my mind was always elsewhere," he says.
A year later, Daniel left the ranks of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and decided to pursue his dream at any cost: to make a living from music. He began knocking on the doors of recording studios and visiting several concert venues, before enrolling in a degree program at the Kiryat Ono School of Music, where he studied Pop, Jazz, and Rock, and honed his skills in Judeo-Arabic music.
One of his first successes was a cover of the Israeli national anthem "Hatikva", released in 2018, which he modernized by adding his oriental touch. "On Yom Atzmaout, I had the idea of creating a song that would be both Zionist and Arabic in style. I went with this title to several recording studios who refused me because it was too extreme for them", relates Daniel, singing the lyrics of his song. "Then, a studio accepted my song, and this mixture that seemed surprising at first, ended up opening a lot of doors for me", he declares proudly.
Propelled into the "Big League"
Quickly, the young man managed to carve out a prominent place among well-known Israeli artists, increasing his visibility. His version of "Hatikva" garnered over 5 million views on social media. "This brought me into the spotlight of the Israeli music scene, and it allowed me to transition from an amateur to a professional," he says.
He then founded his own event production company and collaborated with musicians from all over the country, all while constantly seeking "the path that best suits him." Daniel enjoys both calming music that soothes the soul and upbeat rhythms, but above all, he loves combining the old Tunisian melodies with today's Arabic pop music.
The Impact of His Tunisian Roots
Daniel’s Tunisian origins are very much present in his music and represent "his trademark." A devoted fan of Yossi Barda, Raoul Journo, and Youval Taieb, he is constantly inspired by these iconic figures who marked his childhood. "A year before my Bar Mitzvah, I was in the car with my father when we heard a Tunisian song on the radio. He started crying, and it was at that moment that I understood the impact this music has on our community – it goes straight to the heart," says Daniel.
Today, Daniel performs at Henna ceremonies alongside Moroccan singers, at weddings, and Bar Mitzvahs. "I receive a lot of compliments from the audience, because most Jews from North Africa are very connected to Arabic music and are delighted by the mixes I propose. In my music, there is no provocation, nor political agenda. I simply want to convey the following message: we must smile at life, no matter what challenges we face. Music helps us feel good – it’s a real remedy," Daniel affirms.
The most significant song of Daniel’s career is "Likoutei Slihot," released in 2021. The track was created during the pandemic, between the different lockdowns, which made things difficult for young Daniel. "We recorded the sound in one night and also filmed the music video. Everyone volunteered, and we created this hit almost for free. The best things that have happened to me are often the simplest," Daniel recalls.
Success Beyond Israel’s Borders
With the events of October 7th, many events and concerts were canceled, but this dark period also brought Daniel some significant successes. A week after the war began, the young man, deeply depressed, was convinced that Israel was going to disappear. To cope with his grief, he turned to music. "I went up to the roof of my building and started composing a melody called 'Kovchim et Aza' (Occupy Gaza), which I posted on Instagram. Immediately after, I was contacted by producers who told me, 'Daniel, you have to record this track,'" he explains, deeply moved.
Quickly, this song, which references the IDF in Gaza, garnered nearly 5,000 views on YouTube. It’s an uplifting track that gives strength and courage to a people fighting for their land. "We recorded the hit in three days, and two weeks later, all the soldiers in Israel were singing this song. Several artists even covered it during their concerts. It brought me a lot in a very short time. I was very surprised to see it spread around the world, in France, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and London. This song propelled me to the top," says the young man.
For almost a year now, Daniel has been performing concerts at various military bases in Israel. "It brings comfort to the soldiers, and I’m proud to have been able to contribute something positive to society during a time of war," Daniel concluded.
Caroline Haïat
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