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MusicInterviewPeople

by Alexandra Mansilla

Choosing Legacy Over Noise. Interview With Saudi Singer Tamtam

15 Aug 2025

Tamtam is a Saudi singer and songwriter based between Riyadh and Los Angeles. How does she describe herself? As someone who creates “music that bridges cultures, languages, and hearts.” And it is true — no matter where you live, the words of her songs will resonate.
Her recent release, Make It Through, is about facing the challenges life throws at us — about how hard it can be to simply be human. Or take her 2014 track Gender Game, dedicated to all women and the struggles they face. Her music is rooted in her own experiences, and Tamtam’s goal is simple: to share those stories with the world.
In our conversation, we dove into her music and videos — and discovered who Tamtam really is, beyond her creative moniker.
— Tamtam, first, can you tell me a bit more about your family? I know your mom is Syrian. What about your dad?
— I am a proud mix of Saudi, Syrian, Palestinian, and Egyptian. And both my parents love music. My dad even sings for fun!
— You have said that Michael Jackson and Fayrouz are your biggest musical influences. Do you remember when you first discovered their music?
— I don’t remember exactly when, but I do remember listening to Michael Jackson’s Bad album; it had already been out for years. I had one friend growing up who was a huge MJ fan, but in general, he wasn’t really from my generation.
Still, MJ’s music crossed generations, and that is what I love about both him and Fairuz: their music is timeless. I love the poetry in Fairuz’s lyrics and the messages in many of MJ’s songs about being a better person and helping humanity. It showed me that music can speak to people from all walks of life.
— You said: “When I turned 13, I sang Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ at a school talent show. It was the first time I had performed live, and it was the best feeling in the world.” Could you tell me more about that? Why did you pick that song?
— Honestly, I have always been a huge fan of Michael Jackson’s music; it just makes me feel alive and energised. Thriller isn’t just a song to me; it is like a mini movie or story that grabs you. Every time I hear it, I get chills. When I was 13, I was so into that song that performing it felt natural; it was the perfect way to share something I loved with everyone.
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— You moved from Saudi Arabia to LA for boarding school. Do you remember what you were like back then? How was that experience?
— I loved the experience overall! Of course, it took some time to adjust to being in a completely new place, away from my family, and surrounded by a culture so different from what I was used to. But after the first few months, I settled in and adapted.
One story I love to share is about my first roommate, who had never seen a Muslim pray before. When I told her I was going to pray, it felt a bit awkward at first. But later on, she even started reminding me to pray, which was really sweet. It showed me how people from different backgrounds can not only coexist but also appreciate and celebrate our diversity.
— You also mentioned having culture shock when you moved to LA. Can you talk more about that?
— It was definitely very different from what I was used to: the humour, the lifestyle, everything felt new. It took me some time to adjust to being in such a different environment. At the same time, I didn’t want to forget where I came from, which was important to me.
I am really grateful I ended up in such a beautiful place where I could be myself and feel celebrated. There were challenges along the way, but I was able to overcome them and grow through the experience.
— In 2017, you released “Identify Myself.” You have said it is about identity — something you have thought about since you were a kid. What kind of thoughts did you have back then?
— I have always felt like I belonged in many places, and my interests have been pretty diverse. As a kid, I loved singing in English, but being Saudi, I wasn’t sure if it would be accepted or respected. Still, deep down, I believed it was possible. That is why I kept going, kept singing and making music about the things that move me.
Even now, people try to put me in a box, and I know I am not alone. Many Arab artists who sing in English have to justify why they do it. But it is like telling someone how to paint on their canvas, so why should anyone tell you what language to express yourself in? That is part of why I released Ma3assalama Side A last November, and I am releasing Side B this November, with different songs, different languages, and the same universe, because that is who I am.
When I went to school in the US, I felt super American, but then felt very Arab when I was in Saudi Arabia, I felt very Arab. It was confusing for a while. But now I fully embrace my diversity. I know many of us have mixed backgrounds, and we should be proud of every part of where we come from, even the little, hidden pieces that make us who we are.
— You also said about that song: “Tamtam is my alter ego. She is confident, direct and honest.” So, who is the real Tamtam?
— When I am not in “Tamtam” mode, I tend to second-guess myself more. I am actually pretty shy and introverted. I have worked a lot on becoming more comfortable around people, and boarding school really helped with that, because you are kind of forced into social situations, and you learn to fake it till you make it. So, honestly, it was a really good thing that I went.
— I would love to ask about one of your recent songs that I absolutely love: “Begin Again.” It is incredible! What is it about?
— Thank you so much! I am really glad you like it.
“Begin Again” is about shifting how you view an ending, realising it is actually a new beginning. Kind of like seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty. It is all about perspective.
It is also about understanding that the only person you truly need is yourself, not the person you thought you couldn’t live without. Often, what we see in someone else is really a reflection of ourselves. That is why people sometimes get shocked by what their partner does and say, “I never thought they’d do that, I thought they were someone else.” Love can blind us, and most of the time, we see a version of who we are reflected back.
— And what made you decide to make a video like that for the song?
— There were a few reasons! First, honestly, I didn’t have the budget for a full music video, so I had to get creative. I believe all my songs deserve videos because they tell thoughtful stories, but it is always tough to pick how to bring them to life.
Second, because of the song’s theme, I wanted to create a video that feels like a collection of emotional moments from the past couple of years. It reflects the rollercoaster I was going through inside, even when on the outside, life just keeps moving. Sometimes, your inner world and outer world don’t match up, and you just have to ride those waves, the ups and downs. That is the feeling I wanted the video to capture.
— Of course, I want to talk about “Gender Game.” In both the song and the video, you address the challenges you and other Saudi women face when you share your face and voice with the world. What kind of difficulties did you personally face, and how did you get through them?
— For me, the song and video are really about the challenges women everywhere face when they step into the spotlight and share their voices. Personally, pursuing music as a woman came with its own challenges, but what really touched me was seeing how many women from all over the world connected with the song in their own unique ways.
I was actually surprised and so happy because it reminded me that music has this incredible power to bring people together, across different cultures, ages, and experiences. The women in the video come from all walks of life, which shows that despite our different stories, many of us share similar struggles and feelings. It is a reminder that this is a global conversation about women’s voices being heard and respected.
— Who are these women in the video?
— Noah and Q are two incredible people I collaborated with on the video. When they heard the song, they came up with a storyline that I absolutely loved. Noah directed the video, and we held a casting for the women featured in it. It was really amazing to see everyone come together and connect with the song on a personal level.
The little girl in the video was such a fantastic actress, really impressive! Honestly, all of them were wonderful to work with.
— And then, your recent release: “Make it Through.” Tell me about it — what is the story behind the song, and how did you decide to include your mom?
— “Make It Through” is about facing the challenges life throws at us. Being human isn’t always easy; it is beautiful, but it is definitely not a walk in the park every day. I feel a deep empathy for all of us, for the human experience. I want my music to help raise people’s consciousness and bring a bit of lightness because it’s so easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of the world.
This song captures that feeling, the melancholy of struggle, followed by the uplift of hope. It is about acknowledging the hardships so we can understand they happen for a reason, and that we have the strength to overcome them, with God first, and then with each other.
My mom’s voice note is a beautiful part of that message. She reminds us to be patient because life tests us, but God’s mercy is greater than any challenge. My mom is the strongest person I know, and I feel incredibly lucky to have her in my life. I wanted people to experience her strength through her voice; that was the best feature I could have ever dreamed of. Alhamdulillah.
— I saw your Instagram bio: “Legacy > Noise.” What does it mean to you?
— It is a reminder in a world overwhelmed by endless streams of followers, likes, and distractions. It is easy to get caught up in numbers, but true impact isn’t measured by quantity; it is about the lasting mark we leave behind. It is choosing depth over distraction, quality over quick hits. Legacy over noise. Like savouring caviar instead of fast food. That is the difference that truly matters.
— What are you working on now?
— I am releasing two more singles before Side B drops in November, and I am really looking forward to sharing these songs live with the world through some upcoming shows. I am also always writing whenever inspiration strikes.
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Photo: Adriana Hamui

— You have been in music for more than 10 years. What has changed?
— The music industry is always changing; when I started, TikTok didn’t even exist, and now it is a total game-changer for so many artists. But what never changes is the way music can truly touch people’s hearts. That is why it is so important to write from your soul. I hope every artist remembers that connection when they are creating, that is what makes music timeless.
— And the last one: I know you love coffee! Four years ago, on a podcast, you said you had had three shots of espresso and one Turkish coffee — that is a lot! And you said you needed to cut down. Did you?
— I am still OBSESSED with coffee, but I have definitely cut down since then. I try to stick to two cups max now. Well, maybe a little more when I am in Saudi! Coffee is everywhere there, from espresso to Turkish to traditional Saudi coffee, it is a whole experience and honestly, a bit much sometimes! But I am glad I cut back because I was starting to get anxious.