"Arabic music is going to be in the mainstream": Tamtam on using music as closure and the power of singing in multiple languages

Images courtesy of Chndy.

Words and interview by Dalia Al-Dujaili

For Saudi-born and Los Angeles-based artist Tamtam, challenging the status quo is nothing new. Her music has always embodied her nuanced existence as an Arab woman between East and West. Gender Game, for example, exposes and scrutinises gender disparities and double-standards that surround Arab women, whereas Rise signifies the fight to rise above the noise of society’s judgements and expectations. She’s also no stranger to fusing her native Arabic with English through her music, a muscle she flexes in Ismak, an exploration of the singer’s heritage and roots.

Love and time are the themes around which the her new single’s storyline orbits. Insak narrates the end of a relationship, the way time can seem like an obstruction at first, but ultimately showing the power of having faith that time heals all wounds. And Tamtam has been busy; she’ll follow with another single before releasing her EP.

Following the release of Insak, and its music video directed by Chndy and shot in her hometown Riyadh, we sat down with Tamtam to hear about her musical influences and her views on heartache as a universal language.

AZEEMA: What were your motivations for Insak?

Tamtam: Insak came to me like another voice speaking in my ear. I usually write songs in English and I felt like testing myself with an Arabic song. I always listen to Fairuz, and I’m sure you can hear her influence in the song. As soon as the first lyrics emerged, it was like running water. I couldn’t stop. And when it was over, I felt closure in the most beautiful way. 

What personal experiences did you draw on?

I remembered someone when I was playing the piano that day, and that’s who the song is about when you first hear it, but when you really listen, you’ll hear that the song is really about me; me honouring who I am and seeing my worth. 

As I understand it, the song refers to the end of a relationship and reclaiming power, which is a slight shift from your usual songs on gender inequality and societal expectations. How did it feel to make a song about love and relationships?

I have a lot of songs about love, but people tend to make a bigger deal about the ones that have to do with social issues. I write about what I feel. And I have a lot of feelings and thoughts in my head depending on my experiences in that moment. This one had to do with a memory I have about someone and valuing my worth. 

“Arabic music is going to be big and in the mainstream [in the US]. And I hope so too, because it’s such a beautiful language!”

You sing in Arabic but are based in LA – there was a recent article in the LA Times on how Arabic-language music might be the next 'big thing' in American pop culture. What do you enjoy about singing in Arabic and what place or purpose do you think it has in American pop?

Some of my songs are in Arabic, some in English, and some have both languages. I love singing in many languages, like in Dalida! I can’t wait to work with Spanish speaking songwriters and French ones too. 

But I definitely agree that Arabic music is going to be big and in the mainstream [in the US]. And I hope so too, because it’s such a beautiful language! People in the US and in the world are relating to TV shows like ‘Ramy’ and ‘Moon Knight’, and both of those shows are featuring Arabic stories and Arabic songs. So it’s going to be a matter of time and the right people involved with the influence needed to just push it a bit further. Any minute now.

What was it like working with Chndy? What was the process for the music video like?

It was so great working with Chndy on this! I’ve always been a fan of his mind and his creativity. I reached out to him and I was so excited when he was down to direct the video. He spoke to my team and creative director and they worked together on finishing the whole concept. Then of course the producer, cinematographer, stylist, make-up artist, and hair stylist all did an incredible job as a team to put everything together, along with many other people who worked on it. It really takes a village and that’s what makes it even better. I’m so grateful for each and every person. 

Listen to Tamtam’s new single here and watch the video below.