{{Short description|Palestinian-Canadian singer}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Nemahsis | birth_name = Nemah Hasan | birth_place = Ontario, Canada | genre = Pop | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}} | years_active = 2021–present | website = {{URL|nemahsis.com}} }}
'''Nemah Hasan''', known professionally as '''Nemahsis''', is a Palestinian-Canadian singer-songwriter from Toronto, Ontario. She independently released her debut album ''Verbathim'' on September 13, 2024, which won the 2025 Juno Award Alternative Album of the Year and was shortlisted for the 2025 Polaris Music Prize.
==Early life==
Nemah Hasan was born in Ontario, Canada and raised on a farm in the town of Milton.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nemahsis |url=https://colorsxstudios.com/artists/nemahsis |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=COLORSxSTUDIOS |language=en}}</ref><ref name="15best">{{cite web |last1=LaPierre |first1=Megan |title=Exclaim!'s 15 Best EPs of 2022 |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/best_eps_of_2022 | publisher=Exclaim! |date=December 13, 2022 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> She is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants<ref name="rollingstone25">{{cite web |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Sara |title=Nemahsis Hopes Her Music Won’t Resonate So Much in the Future |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/nemahsis-palestine-singer-new-music-1235288320/ |publisher=Rolling Stone |access-date=August 11, 2025 |date=March 19, 2025}}</ref> and is Bedouin from her father's side.<ref name="teenvogue24">{{cite web |last1=Cardenas |first1=Cat |title=Palestinian-Canadian Musician Nemahsis Doesn’t Hold Her Tongue on New Album Verbathim |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/palestinian-canadian-musician-nemahsis-new-album-verbathim |publisher=Teen Vogue |access-date=August 12, 2025 |date=September 23, 2024}}</ref> As a child, Hasan's parents kept her from wearing her hijab in fear she would be bullied, to which she began hiding it in her backpack and putting it on at her bus stop.<ref name="teenvogue24" />
==Career== Hasan began her career on TikTok, posting beauty and fashion videos aimed at Muslim women alongside occasional videos of her singing Adele covers.<ref name=nme>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Sophie |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/nemahsis-nemah-hasan-tiktok-interview-3139269| title="Nemahsis: the TikTok phenomenon looking to inspire and educate"| website=NME| date=January 19, 2022 |access-date=July 10, 2025}}</ref> After being exploited by a company that hired her for an advertising campaign and then failed to pay her, in June 2021 she released her first original single and video "What If I Took It Off for You?", about social attitudes toward Muslim women who wear the hijab.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wang |first1=Steffanee |title=Nemahsis Never Thought She'd Be A Pop Star |url=https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/nemahsis-i-wanna-be-your-right-hand-tiktok-pop |publisher=Nylon|access-date=August 11, 2025 |date=February 23, 2023}}</ref> She followed up with the singles "Paper Thin" in October 2021 and "Dollar Signs" in January 2022,<ref>{{cite web |last1=LaPierre |first1=Megan | url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/torontos_nemahsis_pays_her_dues_with_dollar_signs| title=Toronto's Nemahsis Pays Her Dues with 'dollar signs' | publisher=Exclaim! |date=January 19, 2022 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> before releasing the EP ''Eleven Achers'' (stylized in all lowercase) in March 2022.<ref name="elevenachers">{{cite web |last1=Forrest | first1=Jo |url=https://www.totalntertainment.com/music/nemahsis-unveils-her-debut-ep-eleven-achers/ |title=Nemahsis unveils her debut EP 'eleven achers'| publisher=TotalNtertainment |date=March 12, 2022 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> The EP was listed as one of the best extended plays of 2022 by Exclaim!.<ref name="15best" />
She followed up with the new non-EP singles "Criminal" in October 2022<ref>{{cite web |last1=LaPierre |first1=Megan |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/torontos_nemahsis_confronts_covert_crimes_on_new_single_criminal |title=Toronto's Nemahsis Confronts Covert Crimes on New Single 'criminal' | publisher=Exclaim! |date=October 19, 2022 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> and "I Wanna Be Your Right Hand" in February 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Slingerland |first1=Calum |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/nemahsis_is_at_your_service_on_new_single_i_wanna_be_your_right_hand |title=Nemahsis Is at Your Service on New Song 'i wanna be your right hand'| publisher=Exclaim! |date=February 22, 2023 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref>
In May 2024, Hasan released the single "Stick of Gum" for her debut album. The song's music video was shot entirely in her family's hometown of Jericho in the occupied West Bank.<ref name="rollingstone25" /> The single was selected by Spotify editors as one of the best songs of 2024.<ref name="spotify24">{{cite web |title=Spotify’s Music Editors Reveal Their Picks for the Best Songs of 2024 |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2024-12-11/spotifys-music-editors-reveal-their-picks-for-the-best-songs-of-2024/ |publisher=Spotify |access-date=August 11, 2025 |date=December 11, 2025}}</ref> In the summer, she released the singles "You Wore It Better", "Fine Print", and "Coloured Concrete".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lapierre |first1=Megan |title=Nemahsis Announces Debut Album 'Verbathim,' Shares "coloured concrete" |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/nemahsis-announces-debut-album-verbathim-shares-coloured-concrete |publisher=Exclaim! |access-date=August 11, 2025 |date=August 23, 2024}}</ref> "Coloured Concrete" was listed as one of the "25 Best Canadian Songs of 2024" by ''Billboard Canada''.<ref name="25canada24">{{cite web |last1=Richard |first1=Trapunski |title=The 25 Best Canadian Songs of 2024 — Staff Picks |url=https://ca.billboard.com/music/the-25-best-canadian-songs-of-2024-staff-picks |publisher=Billboard Canada |access-date=August 11, 2025 |date=December 18, 2024}}</ref>
On September 13, Hasan independently released her debut album ''Verbathim''.<ref name="Exclaim">{{Cite web |title=On 'Verbathim,' Nehmasis Is a Clear-Eyed Truth Teller |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/nemahsis-verbathim-album-review |access-date=September 20, 2024 |publisher=Exclaim! |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Madarang |first1=Charisma |last2=Reid |first2=Tara Catherine |date=September 12, 2024 |title=The Breakdown: Nemahsis on 'Coloured Concrete' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nemahsis-the-breakdown-1235100215/ |access-date=August 11, 2025 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> Hasan stated the title "Verbathim is just the word verbatim except someone is grabbing my tongue" to symbolize the censorship she has faced.<ref name="rollingstone25" /> The album was listed by CBC Music as number three in the top 15 best Canadian albums of that year.<ref name="15canada24">{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=Holly |last2=Warner |first2=Andrea |last3=Harmsen |first3=Natalie |last4=Kinos-Goodin |first4=Jesse |last5=Lau |first5=Melody |last6=Adams |first6=Kelsey |title=The 15 best Canadian albums of 2024 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/best-canadian-albums-2024-1.7393865 |publisher=CBC Music |access-date=August 12, 2025 |date=November 28, 2024}}</ref>
In March 2025, Hasan was awarded Artist of the Year by non-profit organization Women in Music Canada.<ref name="wimc25">{{cite web |last1=Gregory |first1=Allie |title=Nemahsis Nabs Artist of the Year Award at 2025 Women in Music Honours |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/nemahsis-nabs-artist-of-the-year-award-at-2025-women-in-music-honours |publisher=Exclaim! |access-date=August 12, 2025 |date=March 6, 2025}}</ref> She also won Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Alternative Album of the Year for ''Verbathim'' at the 2025 Juno Awards.<ref name=juno2025>{{Cite magazine |last=Trapunski |first=Richard |date=March 31, 2025 |title=Tate McRae Sweeps 2025 Juno Awards, But Isn't at the Ceremony to Accept: Full Winners List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2025-juno-awards-full-winners-list-tate-mcrae-sum-41-1235935338/ |access-date=April 1, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> The album was also shortlisted for the 2025 Polaris Music Prize.<ref name="polaris-short">{{cite web|last1=Gregory |first1=Allie |title=Polaris Music Prize Reveals 2025 Short List |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/polaris-music-prize-reveals-2025-short-list |website=Exclaim! |date=July 10, 2025|access-date=July 10, 2025}}</ref> In September, Nemahsis was announced as a recipient of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame's 2025 Breakthrough Songwriter Award.<ref name="2025breakthrough">{{cite web |last1=Taylor-Singh |first1=Heather |title=Nemahsis and Rau_Ze Win Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Breakthrough Songwriter Award |url=https://ca.billboard.com/music/awards/nemahsis-and-rauze-canadian-songwriters-hall-of-fame-award |website=Billboard Canada |access-date=May 3, 2026 |date=September 18, 2025}}</ref>
On October 17, Nemahsis released an official cover of "Team", originally by Lorde, along with a music video in memory of Palestinian journalists Saleh al-Jafarawi and Anas Al-Sharif.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Kelsey |title=Tia Wood's rousing reflection on life, and 4 more songs you need to hear this week |url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/new-music-tia-wood-nemahsis-peaches-9.6942960 |website=CBC.ca |access-date=November 7, 2025 |date=October 20, 2025}}</ref>
In April 2026, Nemahsis announced her next single was titled "Paper Soldiers".<ref>{{cite web |last1=El Mokadem |first1=Mai |title=Nemahsis is Holding Herself Back, Still |url=https://thisisyungmea.com/nemahsis-is-holding-herself-back-still/ |website=Yung |access-date=May 3, 2026 |date=April 20, 2026}}</ref>
==Artistry== Hasan's music has been compared to that of musicians Mitski, Fiona Apple, and FKA Twigs.<ref name="teenvogue24" />
Hasan has been inspired by singer-songwriter Feist's "approach to pop music".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nguyen |first1=Jennifer |title=Nemahsis on Showing Up, Modern Modesty, and Her Backstage Routine on Tour |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/nemahsis-dont-go-where-youd-hate-to-be-found-canada-backstage-style-interview |publisher=Teen Vogue |access-date=August 11, 2025 |date=March 28, 2025}}</ref> Her influences also include Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday, Charli XCX, Fiona Apple and Marina Diamandis.<ref name="nme24">{{cite web |last1=Raza-Sheikh |first1=Zoya |title=Nemahsis: "I always had to stand up for myself. It’s all I’ve ever known" |url=https://www.nme.com/the-cover/nemahsis-11-11-2024-3811422 |publisher=NME |access-date=August 11, 2025 |date=November 11, 2024}}</ref>
==Activism== On October 12, 2023, soon after the October 7 attacks, the singer shared on social media that she had been dropped by her label, stating "My label just dropped me, a Palestinian artist, for being pro-Palestine".<ref name="CBC">{{Cite news |last=Rashotte |first=Vivian |date=July 10, 2024 |title=Nemahsis says her label dropped her for her pro-Palestinian stance |url=https://www.cbc.ca/arts/q/nemahsis-says-her-label-dropped-her-for-her-pro-palestinian-stance-1.7259367 |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=CBC/Radio Canada}}</ref> Her subsequent posts include a rendition of "Team", originally by New Zealand artist Lorde, with images from Gaza before and after the bombardments.<ref name="nme24" />
==Discography==
=== Albums === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Details |- ! scope="row" | ''Verbathim'' | * Released: September 13, 2024 * Formats: LP, digital download, streaming |}
=== Extended Plays === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Details |- ! scope="row" | ''Eleven Achers'' | * Released: March 11, 2022 * Formats: Digital download, streaming {{hidden|Track listing| # "Immigrant's Tale" # "Suicide" # "Dollar Signs" # "I'm Not Gonna Kill You" # "Paper Thin" # "Hold On To Me" }} |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ List of singles as lead artist, showing year released and name of the album ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album |- ! scope="row" | "What If I Took It Off for You?" | rowspan="2" | 2021 | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "Paper Thin" | rowspan="2" | ''Eleven Achers'' |- ! scope="row" | "Dollar Signs" | rowspan="2" | 2022 |- ! scope="row" | "Criminal" | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |- ! scope="row" | "I Wanna Be Your Right Hand" | 2023 |- ! scope="row" | "Stick of Gum" | rowspan="5" | 2024 | rowspan="4" | ''Verbathim'' |- ! scope="row" | "You Wore It Better" |- ! scope="row" | "Fine Print" |- ! scope="row" | "Coloured Concrete" |- ! scope="row" | "Team" | {{Non-album single}} |}
== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" ! Award ! Year ! Nominee / Work ! Category ! Result ! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! scope="row" | SOCAN | 2022 | "Paper Thin" | SOCAN Songwriting Prize | {{Nominated}} |<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bercier |first1=Myriam |url=https://lecanalauditif.ca/actualites/finalistes-prix-chanson-socan-2022/ |title=Les finalistes du Prix de la chanson SOCAN 2022 |publisher=Le Canal Auditif |date=June 1, 2022 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2" | Prism Prize | 2023 | Nemahsis | Hi-Fidelity Award | {{Won}} | <ref>{{cite web|last1=Okazawa |first1=Ben |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/prism_prize_announces_2023_special_award_honourees |title=Prism Prize Announces 2023 Special Award Honourees |publisher=Exclaim! |date=June 27, 2023 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> |- | 2024 | "I Wanna Be Your Right Hand" | Audience Award | {{Won}} | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Doole |first1=Kerry |url=https://ca.billboard.com/music/awards/mustafa-nemahsis-win-prism-prize |title=Mustafa Wins 2024 Prism Prize As 'Name Of God' Named Best Canadian Music Video of the Year |publisher=Billboard |date=June 25, 2024 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Breakthrough Songwriter Award | rowspan="6" |2025 | rowspan="3" | Nemahsis | Non-French-language | {{Won}} | <ref name="2025breakthrough" /> |- ! scope="row" rowspan="3" | Juno Awards | Songwriter of the Year | {{Nominated}} | rowspan="3" |<ref name=juno2025/> |- | Breakthrough Artist of the Year | {{Won}} |- | rowspan="2" | ''Verbathim'' |Alternative Album of the Year |{{Won}} |- ! scope="row" | Polaris Music Prize | Best Canadian Album | {{nom}} (Short-listed) | <ref name="polaris-short"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Friend |first1=David |title=Yves Jarvis wins Polaris Music Prize for 'All Cylinders,' Mustafa also nabs a prize |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/yves-jarvis-wins-polaris-music-prize-for-all-cylinders-mustafa-also-nabs-a-prize/article_49026eef-c4d5-5f0a-85fa-02bb1d866e7f.html |publisher=Toronto Star |access-date=September 21, 2025 |date=September 16, 2025}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | Women in Music Honours | Nemahsis | Artist of the Year | {{Won}} | <ref name="wimc25" /> |}
===Listicles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+Name of publisher, year(s) listed, name of listicle, recipient, and placement result |- ! scope="col" | Publisher ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Listicle ! scope="col" | Recipient ! scope="col" | Placement ! scope="col" class="unsortable" |{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row" |''Exclaim!'' | 2022 | style="text-align:left" | Exclaim!'s 15 Best EPs of 2022 | ''Eleven Achers'' | Placed | <ref name="15best" /> |- ! scope="row" |''Billboard Canada'' | rowspan="3" | 2024 | style="text-align:left" | 25 Best Canadian Songs of 2024 | "Coloured Concrete" | Placed | <ref name="25canada24" /> |- ! scope="row" |''CBC Music'' | style="text-align:left" | The 15 best Canadian albums of 2024 | ''Verbathim'' | 3 | <ref name="15canada24" /> |- ! scope="row" |''Spotify'' | style="text-align:left" | Editor's Picks: Best Songs of 2024 | "Stick of Gum" | Placed | <ref name="spotify24" /> |- ! scope="row" |''Rolling Stone'' | 2025 | style="text-align:left" | The Future 25 | Nemahsis | Placed | <ref>{{cite magazine|title=Special Report: Future of Music 2025|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/future-of-music-2025/|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=April 7, 2025}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|nm17524004}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:21st-century Canadian women singers Category:Canadian women pop singers Category:Canadian women singer-songwriters Category:Canadian TikTokers Category:Canadian people of Palestinian descent Category:People from Milton, Ontario Category:Musicians from Toronto Category:Living people Category:Canadian Muslims Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:21st-century Canadian singer-songwriters Category:Palestinian women singers Category:Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year winners Category:Juno Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year winners