Outernational all-female powerhouse ensemble Kallemi (كلمي) is the result of a collaborative musical project between Swiss, Dominican, and Palestinian musicians. Kallemi, Arabic for “Speak to Me” in a feminine voice, was founded in 2018 by Jasmin Albash, La Nefera, Maysa Daw, and Rasha Nahas. Born on the path between Basel and Ramallah via Haifa and Berlin, the ensemble emerged from an exchange project by Kaserne Basel. The group first met in Ramallah and worked intensively to prepare for what was initially a one-time show at Kaserne Basel. However, the moment they stepped off the stage in Switzerland, it was clear to everyone that this project was only the beginning.
A genre-fluid ensemble, Kallemi organically blurs the lines between Hip-Hop, Rock, and R&B, blending deep butter beats with world-influenced percussions, bold distorted guitars, and soulful yet fierce singing in Arabic, English, and Spanish. Having performed across Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Palestine, and beyond, Kallemi has built a loyal and growing following, inspiring audiences with their raw energy and global narratives.