12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan ME
Where have you been if you've not added these Middle Eastern artists to your playlist?
Our daily lives are shaped by music. We have playlists for everything from getting ready with the girls to getting over an ex. Does anyone else sing a ballad in the shower, or is it just us? But behind every chorus and lyric is an artist bold enough to bare their heart.
And with heart, comes song and stories.
Now, we have the Middle East where femmes are front and center. They are inviting us into their world, one project at a time. These artists aren't afraid to shake up the global music scene. Whether they're reimagining genres, blending cultural influences, or turning grief into hits, they're redefining what it means to be seen on their terms in the Middle East and beyond.
So, get ready to tap in and meet the musicians singing and starting conversations we've never needed more.
Dounia
She is a Moroccan-American spiritually tuned babe we've been waiting for. She's all about divine feminine energy. Dounia makes a blend of alt-R&B and pop music. 'I'm a writer and songstress at heart, and I love using production to take things into new and interesting directions,' she tells us. Keep an eye out for her upcoming EP, Mrs. Lovebomb, to be released on August 8.
We ♥️ her song Rich Girl Mood. Listen here:
Rita Malek
She is a Lebanese-Syrian artist based in Kuwait who recently released her single, Habba. 'It's the kind of music that enters and exits your world without warning,' she shares. 'It doesn't beg to be heard. It just… is.' The five-track project effortlessly glides between amapiano, Afro beats, Arabic pop, and Bedouin melodies. Our girl has got range.
We ♥️ her song Ya Dunyay (Dum Taka). Listen here:
Asayel
She is a fashion loving hip-hop artist from Saudi Arabia. Asayel was recently featured in Fujifilm Instax Middle East's new campaign in partnership with Billboard Arabia. Her music has Hejazi (Saudi) slang and bold lyrics, drawing from her childhood—so yes, get ready to dance.
We ♥️ her song Asliyah. Listen here:
Ilham
She is a Moroccan-American songstress making waves in alternative R&B. Raised in New York City, her city girl aesthetics bleed through in her music (and we love to see it). She has collaborated with London on da Track and Arin Ray. Her upcoming album uhm…ok? will be released on August 1st.
We ♥️ her song back and forth. Listen here:
Want more for your summer playlist? We've gotchu here bestie. 💋