Kuwaiti Duo AYA & Saudi Singer Zena Emad Make History in Gulf Music
Kuwaiti female duo AYA, behind the international club hit 'Ma Tnsani', has kept their identity secret due to societal pressures in the Gulf region. Meanwhile, Saudi singer Zena Emad has made history by performing at Intervision, a significant step for women in Saudi music.
AYA's rise to fame is chronicled in an interview with Rolling Stone Middle East. Despite their success, they've chosen to remain anonymous due to the 'shame culture' and patriarchal constraints prevalent in the Gulf. Their hit song 'Ma Tnsani', a collaboration with Vanco, has resonated globally with its Arabic lyrics.
In Saudi Arabia, women's roles in society and the workplace have expanded over the past decade, with notable achievements in fashion, music, film, and the arts. Zena Emad, a 25-year-old singer with over 2.2 million Instagram followers, performed at Intervision, a Soviet-era song contest, marking a significant milestone. She also co-wrote and performed the Arabic version of the theme for the multiplayer online game 'Land of Heroes' with Norwegian DJ Alan Walker.
However, the journey towards cultural liberalization is not without challenges. Reports suggest that some 'music lounges' in Saudi Arabia have been shut down, indicating a pushback against these changes. In 2012, Saudi female director Haifaa al-Mansour shot her award-winning film 'Wadjda' in Saudi Arabia, directing from the back of a van due to restrictions on women's public presence.
While women in the Gulf, particularly in Saudi Arabia, continue to break barriers in the music industry, societal norms and cultural pushbacks remain a challenge. As AYA's success shows, their talent and creativity are undeniable, and their anonymity serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for women's rights in the region.
