Music journalist and creative writer based in Cairo.

Intro

Besides writing, she managed social media platforms at MO4 Network; SceneNoise, CairoScene, SceneTraveller, SceneStyled, and SceneEats, editing social media copies and creating a comprehensive content strategy and editorial calendar. She also managed several major projects under SceneNoise, including the first ‘Women in Music’ event in Cairo and on-ground live coverage of Lebanon’s Aegis Festival, and was featured as a speaker at Palestine’s NEST Music Incubator 2025 cycle by JAFRA Productions.

Riham has been a resident of the music media world for 3 years. She has a keen ear for the evolving sounds of the Middle East, North Africa, and its diaspora, especially within the electronic dance music sphere. Through in-depth features and reviews, she spotlights emerging talent and the artists shaping the region’s musical landscape. Her work has brought her into conversation with both rising and established names across genres, including Bayou, Nouri, Dana Salah, and Hunee.

Writing Portfolio
El Waili’s Score of Ramadan Series ‘Ekhwaty’ is a Nod to White Lotus
El Waili’s Score of Ramadan Series ‘Ekhwaty’ is a Nod to White Lotus

Ever since the beginning of Ramadan, there has been a feverish conversation all over social media about the undeniable similarities between El Waili’s score on the Egyptian Ramadan 2025 series ‘Ekhwaty’ and the theme song of the iconic HBO hit ‘The White Lotus’. 

So, instead of feeding into the already rowdy narrative on the Twitter-verse, we decided to do a little investigation and end the yapping with a word from El Waili himself.

Malak Maps Her Journey of Growth, Loss & Selfhood on EP 'Mirage’
Malak Maps Her Journey of Growth, Loss & Selfhood on EP 'Mirage’

Malak’s latest offering, ‘Mirage’, encompasses five emotionally-charged tracks, exploring universal themes of love, loss and time. But, as much as it is about tapping into her vulnerability with sincerity, the project also sees a Malak that is confident in her sound, asserting herself in a heavily saturated music scene.

Yad Oud: Meet the Bahraini Oud Virtuoso Reimagining Global Hits
Yad Oud: Meet the Bahraini Oud Virtuoso Reimagining Global Hits

Chances are you most likely came across a video of a black cyberpunk-masked oud player covering Travis Scott and Playboi Carti banger ‘FE!N’ whilst lost in a reel rabbit hole on Instagram. Well, that’s Yad Oud, a Bahraini musician reinventing the traditional oud instrument through his reinterpretation of popular international tunes by the likes of Kanye West, SZA, The Eagles and Daft Punk, just to name a few.