André Zakhya

THE LIVE MUSIC FIELD IN AUSTRALIA has been looking for new ways to present its acts to crowds in the country, including more dynamic visual presentations. Festivals, such as Splendour in the Grass festival, which has been cancelled and is planning to come back bigger and better, are looking into new opportunities. Mr. André Zakhya, who put up unforgettable shows at Coachella, the Grammys, and the MTV VMAs, is one of the groundbreaking artists who showcase new trends in the industry that change the way music is experienced.

At the 2022 Grammy Awards, he helped create a crystal world of interactive visuals for Lil Nas X, synced to every beat. That same year, he designed an urban environment for Nicki Minaj at the MTV VMAs, perfectly attuned to hits like Super Bass and Beez in the Trap. Later on, he contributed to BLACKPINK’s Coachella performance and designed visuals for Manuel Turizo’s Latin American tour.

Zakhya has proven that in the digital era, music is no longer just heard—it’s experienced through immersive performances. He understands this new reality well, and his work is changing the way people interact with music, film, and media. Zakhya uses Unreal Engine, real-time content, and programming elements in the scene to be audioreactive with the music.   

His Lebanese roots have been a source of early inspiration and admiration, and without a doubt, have influenced his distinctive approach to spatial storytelling.

Zakhya’s journey into the entertainment industry began at an early age, among the magnificent streets and structures of Beirut, his hometown. It was there that his curiosity about the environment first took shape, inspired by the beautiful architecture. This deep appreciation for his surroundings eventually led him to study architecture. However, it was the mix of architecture and entertainment that truly captured his imagination – a fascination that would take him across the world.

Zakhya is a key part of Strangeloop Studios, collaborating with some of the world’s biggest artists, such as the above-mentioned Nicki Minaj, Lil Nas X, and Blackpink, or Megan Thee Stallion at the 2024 MTV Music Video Awards, an event that not only she hosted, but also treated everyone to a performance that was unmissable.

In today’s creative world – dominated by streaming, fleeting attention spans, and digital experiences—visual storytelling is a central element of artistic narrative. Artists are full experiences, brands, and worlds to explore.

This year, in addition to the successful tour André did with Latin superstar Manuel Turizo, his work could also be seen again at Coachella, this time with Grammy nominated rapper Travis Scott in a collaboration with Immanent, with A$AP Rocky for the campaign of RockyxPuma in collaboration with Zerospace, and at the Sundance film festival with the project BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions, a visually rich cinematic experience, among other projects.

André Zakhya is now developing his own creative studio focused on virtual production and artist-led world-building. Australian artists will soon have the chance to show the world exactly what their imagination can create and Zakhya would love to be part of that journey.