This weekend, Saudi singer Tamtam celebrated the launch of her debut Arabic album, Ma3assalama, with an intimate listening party in Boulevard Riyadh. The hitmaker took to the stage to wow guests with an acoustic set of her latest songs while wearing a beautiful black gown with mesh overlay from fellow Saudi designer Mashael Al Faris.
Translating to “peaceful goodbye,” Tamtam’s new work is a deeply personal project— capturing her journey of letting go, finding healing, and reclaiming her inner strength through eight tracks.
With its lush blend of Arabic accents, from Syrian to traditional Saudi, the music reflects Tamtam’s multicultural roots and transformation. Although the songs are in Arabic, they’re designed to speak to anyone who listens.
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Speaking about the album, Tamtam says, “This project represents a period in my life when I was mourning parts of myself that needed to go so I could grow. It’s been humbling, but it’s also been liberating. Now, I feel like I have nothing to lose. The only thing left is to give it everything I’ve got.”
The album’s journey is a reflection of her own—it was written and recorded across Saudi Arabia, Paris, Los Angeles, and Mexico City. And it’s as personal as it gets. The opening track, +966, is a nod to Saudi’s country code, while 805 represents her life in California, setting the tone for an exploration of identity and belonging.
The songs themselves dive into life’s messy truths. LAA LAA is about drawing boundaries and saying no to toxic relationships, while 8 TO 8 captures the heartbreak of a single day. Then there’s QADAR, a heartfelt track about surrendering to fate and navigating the choice between love and following your dreams.
Visually, Ma3assalama draws inspiration from the Golden Age of Egyptian cinema: Think icons like Um Kulthum, Asmahan, and Fairuz. Meanwhile, Egyptian singer Felukah and the Sudanese rapper Nadine El Roubi make an appearance in track seven, Tistahelny, the only features in the whole project.
The night was topped off with a Q&A with the singer’s friends and album contributors and an electrifying set from Saudi DJ Hifi.
