Araen

Araen (real name Bilal Araen Matthew Alji) is a genre-defying artist, born in the culturally rich city of Nador, Morocco. With roots in performance art- spanning magic, theater, and dance—Araen brings a cinematic touch to his music, crafting deeply emotional and vividly personal soundscapes.

Launching his music career in 2021, Araen quickly caught national attention with his debut releases &#34;<a href="spotify:album:6aCglC2OBrcGV3ZyYd4vub" data-name="Less than I do">Less than I do</a>&#34; and the raw, soul-baring live performance &#34;<a href="spotify:album:5LqPU094f8057xI8KPo7Xa" data-name="We couldn&#39;t love again (Live)">We couldn&#39;t love again (Live)</a>.&#34; Both tracks showcased his haunting vocal tone and honest storytelling, positioning him as a rising voice in the North African and European alt-pop scenes.

Now based between cultures and languages, Araen is channeling his artistry into his life-spanning project Love, Success, &amp; White Tulips, a deeply autobiographical journey beginning with his debut album <a href="spotify:album:7KtjERDUC08pADhXVIV20y" data-name="White Tulips">White Tulips</a>. This record explores the complexities of love, identity, and growth—introspective themes that continue in his EP <a href="spotify:album:1VpD02YeGzegQg1ObVzdIu" data-name="Philophobia">Philophobia</a> , which serves as the first chapter of his forthcoming book.

Araen’s emotional reach and boundary-pushing artistry earned him international attention, leading to a standout run as a semi-finalist on X Factor Lithuania, and a bold appearance in San Marino’s Eurovision National Selection with his poignant single <a href="spotify:album:4hEUpcM7kETo6YtyM6C57y" data-name="Bleeding out love">Bleeding out love</a>.

With an evocative voice and a vision rooted in vulnerability and theatrical depth, Araen is not just telling his story, he&#39;s living his art.