The Female DJs Making Their Mark on Middle Eastern Nightlife

For many years, DJing across much of the Middle East was widely viewed as a male-dominated.Women who stepped behind the decks were often seen as a curiosity, with many people paying more attention to their appearance than their talent. They also had to work much harder to earn the same respect that male DJs often received automatically. Today, that story is changing. From Cairo and Riyadh to Dubai,a growing number of female DJs are reshaping the region’s nightlife. Some are creating their own event platforms, others are mentoring young women who want to learn the craft, and many are showing through every performance that they deserve their place in the industry.

Tala Samman

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Syrian-American DJ Tala Samman was raised in Dubai and is known for combining Afro house, hip-hop, R&B, and nu-disco into her sets. With experience in fashion, media, and digital content, She has spoken about how women in DJing are helping bridge fashion, media and music while encouraging more young women to pursue creative careers.

Cosmicat

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Nouf Sufyani, professionally known as Cosmicat, has become one of the biggest names in Saudi Arabia’s electronic music scene. Considered one of the country’s pioneering female DJs, she has performed for thousands of fans at major events, including MDLBEAST Soundstorm, one of the Middle East’s largest music festivals.

Biirdperson

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Lujain Albishi, better known by her stage name Biirdperson, is another self-taught Saudi DJ who developed a passion for music at a young age. She has steadily built her reputation by performing at major festivals and taking part in international campaigns, becoming one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent young female DJs.

Sama’abdulhadi

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Sama’abdulhadi is recognised as the first Palestinian DJ to gain international recognition and is regarded as one of the leading figures in the country’s techno scene. Her lifelong passion for music eventually led her to techno, opening doors to performances around the world, including an appearance at Coachella, one of the world’s most prestigious music festivals.

Tumi Al Bakry

Raised between Oman and Zanzibar, Tumi Al Bakry is the founder of IYKYK, a Dubai-based event series created with women at its centre. She believes a female DJs play an important role in shaping nightlife culture and creating spaces where more women feel welcome. As a Khaleeji, African, and Muslim woman, she is committed to creating the welcoming communities she wished existed when she first entered the industry.

Sonya

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Dubai-based DJ Sonya has witnessed the changing attitudes toward women behind the decks. She feels audiences are increasingly judging female DJs for their talent instead of their gender. One of her most memorable experiences was performing in Saudi Arabia as the only woman on the lineup and seeing young girls in the audience recognise themselves in her journey. She believes female DJs are influencing not only the music but also the culture and atmosphere of nightlife across the region.

Ashibah

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Before beginning her career as a DJ, Egyptian-Danish artist Ashibah earned a black belt in karate and worked as a zookeeper. Today, she is known for her energetic house music sets and dynamic stage performances, sharing festival lineups with many well-known artists. Alongside DJing, she also writes and produces her own original music.