Kingdom’s poetic roots opening doors for Saudi hip-hop talent

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Updated 27 July 2023
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Kingdom’s poetic roots opening doors for Saudi hip-hop talent

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s strong tradition of poetry has laid the foundations for the Kingdom’s aspiring hip-hop talent to thrive in the music industry, pioneering artist Qusai Kheder has told Arab News.

The veteran artist, who kicked off the fourth season of “The Mayman Show” by Arab News in a rare interview, expressed his faith that talent in the local hip-hop scene has an opportunity to elevate the music genre in the Kingdom. “Hip-hop is a universal genre of music right now, and it’s only 50 years old right now, since 1973, I would say. And it just blossomed all over the world, I mean, in many different languages. So, it’s only right to be part of the Middle East because first of all, I mean, our language is a very rich language,” said Kheder.

He added that hip-hop is about creating poetical rhythm. “We’re masters when it comes to poetry,” he said, adding that though the Kingdom has always had musical talent, only the recent development of the right ecosystem has allowed it to flourish. “That’s what’s happening right now. Before, the music has always been here, you know. Saudi Arabia has always been rich when it comes to its music and to its culture,” he said.

“But, I mean, through all the ups and downs, we’re finally here where we need to be. We should have been here a long time ago, but hey, it’s a good thing, it’s a good sign, especially for the next generation. But I mean, as far as hip-hop is concerned, again, there’s a lot of great hip-hop talents in here,” he added.

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The Saudi hip-hop artist joined AlUla FM under the Royal Commission for AlUla with his own show. “I always had a love and passion for radio and when I was in college, I had my own radio show in 1996. And I just love the environment of the radio. And I felt like I can do good in it, but didn’t expect that I was going to be actually on the radio, especially now during this period of time in my life,” he said.

Kheder has been working on many new singles that he said could lead to five future albums, though he is waiting for the right opportunity to release the music.

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“I have just been throwing some singles here and there until I find the right time and the right deal and work with the right people, because mainly I’m not planning to release anything that I truly believe in because I definitely elevated it when it came to my music and my sound,” he said.

Kheder added that he was proud of his new material and wants to make sure that it is released and marketed to his expectations.

With a lengthy career full of hip-hop accolades, hosting TV shows and events as well as acting, Kheder recalled some of his fondest moments, such as in 2017, when he performed at the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida, where he was at an alumni speaking opportunity with the University of Central Florida.

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“So, I used to go to that House of Blues and watch some of my favorite artists, you know, from Outkast to Musiq Soulchild, Common, Kanye, to name a few. And it just happened that I graduated 15 years before. And at the same time, they booked me for a show at the House of Blues and I was like, ‘oh, wow, I used to be just a fan, and one of the audience, to watch the superstars on that stage.’ And then once I was an opening act back then, and now I’m here and I’m a headliner and I see all these people are watching me in the city that I used to love and live in, and graduated,” he said.

Kheder also mentioned another moment in Khartoum, Sudan, where he performed live for the first time in 2020. It was also his first visit to the country. “We had been trying to do a show there for years. And then it just happened. They finally called me and they said, ‘hey, this is the time for you to come and do a show in Sudan’,” said Kheder.

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He performed his song titled “Black Pharaohs,” a track that he made for the Sudanese people and which features Sudanese artist Ahmad Amin. “We performed it once and the people went crazy and asked for it again and again,” said Kheder.


Saudi Arabia offers condolences to Sudan after 11 die in mine collapse

A general view shows the Ariab company gold mine in the Sudanese desert, 800 kilometers northeast of the capital Khartoum. (AFP)
Updated 30 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia offers condolences to Sudan after 11 die in mine collapse

  • The collapse of the gold mine in the remote desert area of Howeid, northeast Sudan killed 11 miners and wounded seven others

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia offered its condolences to Sudan on Sunday after a gold mine partially collapsed in the country, killing 11 miners and wounded seven others.

The mine is in the remote desert area of Howeid, northeast Sudan.

The Foreign Ministry said the Kingdom stands with Sudan during this tragedy and wished the injured a speedy recovery. 


Jeddah panel explores declining marriage rates among youth

Dr. Khalid Sind speaks to attendees during the panel discussion. (Supplied)
Updated 29 June 2025
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Jeddah panel explores declining marriage rates among youth

  • Discussion highlights changing views on commitment, societal pressures, search for meaningful connection

JEDDAH: Amid changing values, shifting priorities and growing alternatives to traditional partnerships, a panel titled “Why is there a decline in marriage today?” has explored evolving views on love, commitment and marriage.

Organized by Ta3mq, a platform focused on honest dialogue, the event at Hayy Jameel’s Rukn Space in Jeddah featured panelists from psychology, community leadership and youth engagement.

It was moderated by Tasneem Alshanqiti, Ta3mq founder, and Motaz Al-Safh, a Saudi engineer and entrepreneur. The session addressed generational concerns, fears and new definitions of partnership.

Panel members (L-R): Tasneem Al-Shanqiti, Dr. Rozana Al-Banawi, Motaz Al-Safh and Dr. Khalid Sindi. (Supplied)

Reflecting on her role, Alshanqiti said: “I wasn’t just moderating — I was carrying the voice of younger women,” adding that she aimed to create a safe space that encouraged openness and reflection.

Panelist Rozana Albanawi, founder of Qeema and Jeddah_CM, said that the discussion explored marriage from societal, religious and psychological perspectives, focusing on self-understanding, compatibility over idealism, and the evolution of love.

Al-Safh said that he focused on creating a safe, judgment-free space for men to express vulnerability.

He described the conversation as “more like a talk between brothers than a formal panel,” aiming to help participants understand their fears and feelings about love and commitment.

The discussion highlighted recurring themes among Saudi youth. Al-Safh said that a few key issues kept emerging: Fear of failure, feeling unready, and pressure from expectations. Many question whether marriage today feels like love or a liability.

He added: “But beneath it all, there’s a real craving for connection, just done right, in a way that feels safe and meaningful.”

Dr. Khalid Sindi, a relationship and marriage psychotherapist, offered a broader national perspective by linking personal challenges to policy and social change.

Speaking to Arab News, he noted the ongoing transition in Saudi marriage values — from traditional to more modern — while emphasizing the preservation of core Islamic principles.

He highlighted government efforts under Vision 2030, such as the Saudi Marriage Fund and Sakani housing program, aimed at easing economic barriers for youth.

Sindi added: “Younger generations are seeking marriages that blend our cherished traditions with contemporary expectations of emotional connection and mutual growth. This represents not a rejection of our values but their natural adaptation to modern life.”

The panelists said that changing views on love and commitment reflected maturity rather than uncertainty.

Albanawi said: “There is high awareness among the generation now on marital topics, and many are seeking marriage with the right tools.”

She explained that conversation and dialogue help young people to commit while accepting uncertainty in relationships.

“The younger generation is looking for new ways to shape their marriage, such as avoiding unnecessary rules like high financial burdens or societal expectations that don’t match their reality.”

On the event’s outcome, Albanawi added: “A common theme was that marriages work best when couples marry early, are ready, and have family support.”

She noted that many believe delaying marriage increases fears and makes adaptation harder.

Sindi expressed a similar view on marriage’s evolving nature, saying that the changing views reflected progress and natural generational dynamics rather than fear or uncertainty.

“Rather than seeing shifting perspectives as problematic, the older generation should guide younger Saudis with wisdom and empathy.”

Highlighting the national context, Sindi noted the vital role of government initiatives in supporting Saudi Arabia’s vision for marriage and family life, demonstrating a commitment to making families society’s cornerstone.

Reflecting on the session’s emotional honesty, Al-Safh said that hearing men express concerns such as, “I don’t want to fail someone’s daughter,” revealed deep care often left unspoken.

Alshanqiti echoed the need for open, non-judgmental spaces, saying fears about failure and not being enough reminded her that many seek places where they can be truly seen and heard. She described the session as a step toward that openness.

 

 


Global sculptures at open-air museum in historic Jeddah

The new sculpture installations at Al-Arbaeen Lake reimagine public spaces as platforms for cultural engagement. (SPA)
Updated 29 June 2025
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Global sculptures at open-air museum in historic Jeddah

  • The sculptures form a dynamic dialogue between the past and present, blending the site’s heritage with the language of contemporary art

JEDDAH: As part of a broader effort to revive the region’s visual identity through art, Al-Arbaeen Lake in historic Jeddah has been transformed into an open-air gallery featuring a curated collection of sculptures by international artists.

Led by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with Jeddah Municipality, the initiative features 14 world-class artworks integrated into the city’s visual landscape, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Historic Jeddah's Visual Identity Reimagined Through Art Installations at Lake Al-Arbaeen. (SPA)

The sculptures form a dynamic dialogue between the past and present, blending the site’s heritage with the language of contemporary art.

Notable works on display include “The Illusion of the Second Cube” by Hungarian-French artist Victor Vasarely; “Rouge” and “Flexibility of Balance” by Alexander Calder; “Circular Mass” by Arnaldo Pomodoro; “The Bird” by Spanish sculptor Joan Miro; and “Giving and Receiving Love” by Lorenzo Quinn — a powerful piece that reflects human values through striking aluminium forms.

FASTFACTS

• Led by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with Jeddah Municipality, the urban art initiative features 14 world-class artworks integrated into the city’s visual landscape.

• Notable works on display include ‘The Illusion of the Second Cube’ by Hungarian-French artist Victor Vasarely and ‘Giving and Receiving Love’ by Lorenzo Quinn.

The installations are part of a wider artistic movement that reimagines public spaces as platforms for cultural engagement.

By transforming urban environments into art experiences, the project invites both residents and visitors to explore the intersection of architectural heritage and modern creativity.

It underscores the growing role of art in shaping urban identity and fostering public appreciation for visual beauty in shared spaces of the Kingdom.

 


Saudi FM receives Djiboutian counterpart

Updated 29 June 2025
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Saudi FM receives Djiboutian counterpart

  • The two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation in various fields

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Djiboutian counterpart, Abdul Kader Hussein Omar, in Riyadh on Sunday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation in various fields, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.

The two ministers also chaired a meeting of the Political Consultations Committee between the two countries, during which they discussed coordination on key regional and international issues.

Saud Al-Sati, deputy minister for political affairs, was among the officials in attendance.

 

 


Saudi FM receives written message from Russian counterpart

The message was received by Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji during a meeting with Russia’s ambassador to the Kingdom.
Updated 29 June 2025
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Saudi FM receives written message from Russian counterpart

  • Al-Khuraiji and Kozlov elaborated on relations between their countries and ways to enhance them in various fields

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a written message from his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The message, regarding Saudi-Russian relations and ways to support and strengthen them in various fields, was received by Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji in Riyadh during a meeting with Russia’s ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov.

During the meeting, Al-Khuraiji and Kozlov elaborated on relations between their countries and ways to enhance them in various fields. Topics of common interest were also discussed, SPA added.