Saliah. Photo: El Sahraoui
Saliah is bent over a set of decks her fingers nimbly amplifying and mixing beats. Behind her, colors illuminate rays into orange, red, and green. Before her, a sea of youth with hands in the air ebb and flow to her music. Enter the era of the Arab female DJs, commanding the attention of guests at both private events and music festivals across the region. And while Dj’ing has traditionally been viewed – and is – dominated by men, she’s part of a rising club of female DJs who are now playing for hundreds of thousands of people. They are releasing EPs, starting their own radio shows, and inspiring musicians from around the world with a focus on sharing and inclusivity.
Saliah revives Middle Eastern influences and fuses them with electronic beats and performs in a jalabiya. The result is high- energy electronic anthems, smooth, chilled- out mixes, and versatile sets. “I have never felt so seen,” notes poet and spoken word artist Nadine Aloul, who attended a set this past summer. “All of us being there in appreciation and joy of our culture and music was so hard to fully put in words. Saliah created a safe space for us all to feel seen and really be proud of who we are. I cannot explain the feeling of being at a venue where most of the people look like you, speak the same language, and proudly wear their kufiyas.” The British-Lebanese multi-genre music producer and DJ made her debut at the Boiler Room and Glastonbury sets last year and is considered a one-to-watch, having opened for Omer Souleyman, Shkoon, Jazzy Jeff, and Ammar 808. What brings her a different edge is her support of grassroots organizations and teaching DJ workshops.
Nicole Moudaber. Photo: El Sahraoui
Lebanese DJ Nicole Moudaber, who boasts over half a million followers on Instagram, wears many hats. Professional car racer, Philanthropist, human rights activist, producer, and host of an award-winning weekly radio show, she cites DJ as her core profession – she’s played around the world many times over and notes that it’s “the family vibe,” that keeps her going. “I know the guys from so many years, from the stage managers to the tech people to the crowd, it feels like I’m at home, and this is why I love it.”
At the head of her own imprint, Mood Records, she began her career promoting dance parties in Beirut in the Nineties. When she caught the attention of English DJ Carl Cox in 2009, she was signed to his record label Intec and went on to release her first album Believe in 2013. She is a public advocate of the Lower Eastside Girls Club, an organization that helps disadvantaged young women pursue a career in music. She recalls that her father urged her to work at a bank after her university studies in London, which she considers her “worst job,” and where she stayed a month – she hopes that her journey can help open paths for other women who find redemption in the beat.
Photo: El Sahraoui
Originally published in the December 2023 issue of Vogue Arabia
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