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 ready to host Art Week Riyadh

Updated 05 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia ready to host Art Week Riyadh

  • Held under the theme “At The Edge”, the inaugural edition will unfold across key cultural venues in the capital

RIYADH: The Visual Arts Commission is preparing for the launch of the first-ever Art Week Riyadh, a week-long celebration of Saudi Arabia’s vibrant art scene, which starts on Sunday and runs until April 13, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Held under the theme “At The Edge”, the inaugural edition will unfold across key cultural venues in the capital, including the JAX District and the Al-Mousa Center.

The event will bring together leading local, regional, and international galleries, artists, institutions, collectors, and art enthusiasts.

The flagship exhibition will showcase works from more than 45 galleries, exploring cultural dialogues between Saudi Arabia, the wider Middle East, and the global contemporary art landscape.

The exhibition will be curated around three themes — Everyday Life, Landscapes, and Motifs — highlighting the intersection of tradition and innovation in Saudi visual culture.

Al-Mousa Center, now a thriving arts hub, will host over 15 specially curated exhibitions, while the JAX District will also present Collections in Dialogue — a trio of exhibitions developed with leading cultural institutions and private collectors.

In addition to exhibitions, Art Week Riyadh will feature a series of talks and workshops tackling contemporary issues in the visual arts across the Kingdom and beyond.

AAccording to the Visual Arts Commission, the initiative aims to cultivate a dynamic and collaborative art environment, while honoring Saudi Arabia’s artistic heritage and its evolving creative future.


‘Bahr’ play brings maritime heritage to Baha in Theater Tour initiative

Updated 06 April 2025
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‘Bahr’ play brings maritime heritage to Baha in Theater Tour initiative

  • Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the event attracted a large audience for the award-winning play “Bahr” (Sea)

RIYADH: The three-day Theater Tour initiative ended on Saturday at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Theater in Baha, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the event attracted a large audience for the award-winning play “Bahr” (Sea).

Inspired by maritime heritage, “Bahr” explores the traditions of sailors’ lives, particularly diving and pearl hunting.

The production is part of the commission’s strategy to promote culture across the Kingdom, according to the SPA.

Nasser Al-Qasabi, chairman of the commission, thanked the governor of Baha for supporting the initiative and providing the resources for its launch in the region.

The Theater Tour initiative brings exceptional performances to cities, governorates and villages throughout the Kingdom. The first phase features “Bahr,” running from April 3 to May 3.

The production debuted in Baha from April 3-5. It now moves to Jubail from April 17-19, Dammam from April 24-26 and concludes in Al-Ahsa from May 1-3.

The project aims to raise awareness of theater, increase access to cultural services in underserved areas and support local theater groups.

Written by Abdulrahman Al-Marikhi and directed by Sultan Al-Nawa, “Bahr” has won several awards, including best actor, best script and best overall production at the Riyadh Theater Festival, as well as best musical effects and best director at the 19th Gulf Theater Festival.


Saudi governor of Digital Government Authority met Rwandan minister

Updated 06 April 2025
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Saudi governor of Digital Government Authority met Rwandan minister

Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, governor of the Digital Government Authority, recently met with Paula Ingabire, Rwandan minister of information and communications technology and innovation, at the Global AI Summit on Africa.

During their meeting, they discussed the Riyadh AI Declaration, ways to foster growth in the digital economy, and approaches to strengthen collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Rwanda, the organization wrote in a post on X.

The governor also met with Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Samuel George, and discussed opportunities for cooperation in harnessing AI technologies in digital government.


New initiative turns road trips into cultural journeys

Updated 05 April 2025
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New initiative turns road trips into cultural journeys

  • Signage across highways introduces travelers to the Kingdom’s diverse traditional crafts, arts

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Roads General Authority and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts — also known as Wrth — have launched an initiative called Wrth Saudi, which features signage on highways across the Kingdom marking significant locations connected with national crafts.

This initiative comes in what has been designated the Year of Handicrafts in Saudi Arabia. The first phase of Wrth Saudi will cover three highways: the Riyadh-Dammam Highway, the Makkah-Madinah Highway, and the Riyadh–Qassim Expressway, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Subsequent phases will extend the initiative to other vital roads throughout the country, the SPA added.

Wrth Saudi will showcase traditional regional arts such as Najdi door craftsmanship, mud construction, carpentry, wood carvings, and bisht making.

“Saudi Arabia’s vast road network, the largest in the world in terms of connectivity, serves as a platform to highlight the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and showcase its crafts,” the SPA reported.

The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts plays a key role in promoting Saudi traditional arts locally and internationally, supporting local artisans, and encouraging the teaching and development of these crafts.

Earlier this year, the institute also launched the Wrth Community program to raise awareness of Saudi traditional arts and cultural heritage while “empowering individuals to learn and develop these crafts locally and globally.”

The program featured discussion sessions with academics, artisans, trainers, and entrepreneurs, along with workshops. Activities focused on four key materials used in Saudi traditional arts: stone, wood, ceramics, and metals.

The Ministry of Culture designated 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts to “solidify the position of handicrafts as authentic cultural heritage while promoting the practice, preservation and documentation of the craft, as well as its presence in contemporary life,” according to the SPA.

Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Culture will organize an array of events, exhibitions, educational programs and competitions under the banner Year of Handicrafts.


Muslim World League condemns Israeli strikes on Saudi cultural center, school in Gaza

Updated 05 April 2025
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Muslim World League condemns Israeli strikes on Saudi cultural center, school in Gaza

  • Deadly attacks that killed, injured dozens described as ‘horrific crimes against civilians and civilian facilities’
  • MWL chief calls for urgent international action over what he says are war crimes

RIYADH: The Muslim World League has condemned Israeli airstrikes that hit a Saudi cultural facility and a school in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, as Israel resumed military operations following the collapse of a temporary truce with Hamas.

In a statement carried on the Saudi Press Agency on Friday, MWL Secretary-General Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa denounced the targeting of the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage’s warehouse, which destroyed medical supplies intended for the sick and wounded in Gaza.

He also condemned the strike on Dar Al-Arqam School, which reportedly killed and injured dozens, describing the attacks as “horrific crimes against civilians and civilian facilities.”

Al-Issa said: “These acts represent a flagrant violation of all international and humanitarian laws and norms.” 

He called on the international community to take urgent action, and urged global bodies to activate accountability mechanisms and hold perpetrators responsible for what he described as war crimes.

The condemnation comes amid renewed violence in Gaza since March, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Israel has resumed its bombardment of the enclave, saying it is targeting militant infrastructure, while humanitarian agencies have warned of deepening crises and mounting civilian casualties.