NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / World News / Meet the women DJs making Saudis groove to their beats
    Meet the women DJs making Saudis groove to their beats
    World

    Meet the women DJs making Saudis groove to their beats

    Written by Priyali Dhingra
    July 31, 2022 | 05:08 pm 2 min read
    Meet the women DJs making Saudis groove to their beats
    Leen Naif, one of the first women DJs, got the chance to perform for a global audience at the Dubai Expo 2020.

    Women DJs, a once unthinkable phenomenon in Saudi Arabia, are taking the country by storm. Women in the music industry are benefiting from Saudi Arabia's attempt to change the global perspective towards it. Over the last few years, many women DJs have been coming up and performing at grand events, including the Formula 1 Grand Prix and Dubai Expo.

    Why does this story matter?

    Saudi Arabia has historically offered very little freedom to women. Under the strict form of Islam (Wahabism) practiced in the country, women have often been segregated and placed under a system of guidance by male relatives. Only in 2018 did women get the right to drive, the same year as Saudi Arabia was labeled as the fifth most dangerous land for women by Reuters.

    Women empowered through music

    Leen Naif, one of the first women DJs, got the chance to perform at the Dubai Expo 2020 in front of an international audience. First introduced to electronic music by her uncle, Naif has benefited from government attempts to trumpet Saudi's entertainment-friendly image. "With more female DJs coming up, audiences have become 'more comfortable' in seeing them on stage," she told AFP.

    Watch: DJ Leen at Dubai Expo 2020

    Instagram post

    A post shared by dj.leen on July 31, 2022 at 4:47 pm IST

    Saudi Arabia's attempt to expand the entertainment realm

    With Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expanding Saudi Arabia's entertainment realm, music has entered the fore. Historically, music has been discouraged under Wahabism. This has given more opportunities to DJs, and especially women artists in the field.

    Feat for some, struggle for others

    While Naif's parents supported her in the journey, another DJ, Lujain Albishi or 'Birrdperson' had to struggle for a long time. After experimenting with DJ decks during the COVID-19 pandemic, Albishi had to fight to gain her family's approval who wanted her to become a doctor. In 2021, she performed at Saudi's first electronic music festival, MDLBeast Soundstorm, for a crowd of 7 lakh.

    'Biirdperson' at Saudi Arabia's first electronic music festival

    Instagram post

    A post shared by biirdperson on July 31, 2022 at 4:48 pm IST

    'Women DJs are here to stay'

    "My family came to Soundstorm and saw me on stage. They were dancing, they were happy," Albishi said. Naif, who has also been heckled at events by male audiences, said that women DJs succeed because "they are better than men at reading people. Both the women are now turning heads in the kingdom's new era and believe that women DJs are here to last.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Islam
    Saudi Arabia
    Music Industry
    Mohammed Bin Salman

    Islam

    Udaipur murder: Won't allow 'Talibanization mindset,' says Ajmer Dargah chief Narendra Modi
    PM Modi calls for SCO template to fight radicalization, extremism Afghanistan
    Suspected extremists kill 47 in northern Burkina Faso al Qaeda
    Complaint against Singapore doctor for posting anti-Islam comments Singapore

    Saudi Arabia

    You're to blame for Khashoggi's murder: Biden tells Saudi prince Mohammed Bin Salman
    Prophet remarks: Reasons why India can't ignore Gulf outrage India
    COVID-19 re-emergence: Saudi bans travel to India, 15 other countries World Health Organization
    Peaceful Sweden witnesses riots sparked by Quran burnings, dozens arrested Iran

    Music Industry

    Punjabi singer Balwinder Safri dies; music industry mourns loss Instagram
    Steven Spielberg directed debut music video, here's how it went Hollywood
    Remembering Bhupinder Singh with 5 of his most iconic songs Bollywood
    BLACKPINK: K-pop group to comeback with new music in August South Korea

    Mohammed Bin Salman

    Saudi prince MbS approved operation to capture, kill Khashoggi: US Saudi Arabia
    Italian Police seize 500-year-old stolen Leonardo Da Vinci painting Abu Dhabi
    The Line: Saudi Arabia unveils city with no roads, cars Saudi Arabia
    Saudi women's rights activist gets nearly 6-year jail term Saudi Arabia
    Next News Article

    Love World News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    World Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023