UPDATE April 20, 2026
Salam!
The progress for this campaign has been interrupted due to the regional war we have experienced since February. I had finally found a flat in Bethlehem to move to and the war had begun exactly 1 day before my move in date.
I am currently re-assessing my plans realistically and practically.
I will keep updating on here.
Your support and solidarity are so appreciated <3 <3 <3

SUMMARY

Thank you for showing up and supporting this campaign to produce my upcoming album !

I am Jah~Layal aka. Jalal Akel Jr., a Palestinian artivist, musician, and producer from Al-Quds//Jerusalem. After releasing my debut album Origin in Chicago, I returned home to continue my musical journey—only to face new challenges that reignited my purpose: to transform pain into beauty and liberation through the healing power of Sound and Music.

Join me in amplifying a voice of love, struggle, and awakening from Palestine.

This album will feature 6–8 original tracks blending genres of Reggae, Arabic Maqam, Electronic, and Jazz; Where I would be exploring identity, freedom, and determination under occupation. With your support, I would be able to dedicate myself fully to writing, recording, and producing this album at RJ Music Studios in Bethlehem.

This campaign is more than an album — it’s an act of creative resistance, and a call to collective healing, unity, and liberation from the heart of the Holy Land.

INTRO & BACKGROUND

Salam ~ Greetings ~ Aloha ~ Namaskar …

I am Jah~Layal (Jalal Akel Jr.), a Palestinian artivist, musician, producer, and environmental engineer — born and raised in Al-Quds//Jerusalem.
Music has always been my refuge, my revolution, and my way of weaving together love, healing, and unity.

Nevertheless, I realize the importance of using my voice. As a radical human being, and especially as a young Jerusalemite Palestinian, I have a voice. And it is important.

I deserve to be heard.

STORY

A few years ago I awakened to the fact that Music has the power to Heal, Liberate, and Unite individuals. The moment I realized that Frequency and Vibration are all around us, and when focused with intention, sound can cause drastic shifts on the cellular and atomic level, initiating repair and recovery, I have decided to focus on Music and Sound as a primary medium.

After working with Monorikki Studios in Chicago and successfully releasing my first Debut album “Origin,” I returned home in April 2023. I was planning on touring to perform around Palestine (and the world). Half-way through rehearsals, the world shifted in October 2023, and everything came to a halt.

I almost lost hope. I almost gave up….

Suddenly, one early morning, from the heart of my “Temple” in Bethlehem, I heard a clear and soft whisper:

“Keep going — don’t stay numb. Music and Dance are the keys to your liberation.”

So I shook myself awake, got up, and started moving and dancing. I buzzed up the core of my emotions… Then I picked up the guitar, and started writing songs.

Since that moment, I started envisioning my upcoming album.

NOW IS THE TIME

PLAN

In early July ‘25, I decided to pay a spontaneous visit to RJ Music Studios in Bethlehem, Palestine. There, I had the honor of meeting the amazing John Handal, who has agreed to work with me.

We are aiming for approximately six - eight (6-8) original tracks (Arabic & English), a bonus track, and a feature music video.

I have carved out a few months starting in early December. I am currently living in Jerusalem with my family. It would be draining to cross the checkpoint to attend the studio on a regular basis. Thus, I have decided to rent a small flat close to the studio, where I can also access the Piano studios in Edward Said Conservatory. This enables me to isolate myself, focus on my project, and finish writing, recording, and producing the album.

VISION & MESSAGE

My vision and practice is to alchemize the struggle and pain, into beauty, strength, and love. Through a unique mixture of Reggae, Arabic Maqam, Electronic, and Jazz, I embark on a journey exploring what it means to grow, create, and love under a military occupation – and still rise through rhythm, vibration, and harmony. Yet, delving into themes of roots, freedom, and determination. Through intentional music, I attempt to remedy our collective wounds, liberating the mind, body, and spirit. Ultimately, my quest is to unite people from all walks of life through universal sound and authentic music.

Questions to ponder:

What are Roots? Why does it matter to connect to them? How do we connect to them?
Is it important to express oneself? How, and Why?
What is Freedom? What does liberating oneself really mean?

GOALS

Your support makes it possible to:

Write, compose, and record up to eight (8) original songs
Produce a feature music video
Hire some musicians to play specific instruments
Mix, master, and publish a new Music Album
Promote the project globally, and build a wider community
Design and distribute merchandise that supports my project and other artists local businesses

Here is a rough budget table of the funds this project needs:

JOIN THE MOVEMEANT

This is not only an investment in an album — it’s a commitment to art as resistance, music as medicine, and to Palestinian creativity as a global voice of hope and unity.
Your support makes this creation possible.

So JOIN US and be part of the collective liberation !

We are partnering with Fovero to create merchandise that is all Made in Palestine that you can proudly wear and share (coming soon).

Become a member of my Patreon Community <3 for exclusive content and behind the scenes progress 😀

Feeling curious about who Jalal Akel Jr. is? Check out my Website :)

Thank you for your Support and Solidarity <3

Love, Peace, and Liberty

Jalal Akel Jr. aka. Jah Layal

Thank You; I Love You <3

Second Music Album for Palestinian Artist Jah~Layal !

A sound born from struggle, crafted with love <3