“I’m quite a coward,” Rahma Riad admitted with a laugh. “I mean, I like taking risks in general, but I avoid reckless ones when it comes to my music career.” It’s a surprisingly candid confession from a star who, despite reaching stardom back in her twenties, still feels the weight of each artistic decision. With so many directions to choose from, the pressure to make the right move has caused her to pause. As she contemplates her next release, a quiet tension lingers: will she stay rooted in the identity she’s carefully crafted for her audience – or take a calculated leap into something new?
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Billboard Arabia sat down with Rahma Riad, its June 2025 cover star, on a breathtaking hilltop in the village of Arnaoon in the north of Lebanon, where the mountains open their arms to the sky and sea. The venue seemed surreal, like it had emerged from an old movie: the faded rustic sofas and accessories belonged to another era, and the depth of the Lebanese mountains took us away from the fast-paced rhythm of modern life. It was to this background that Rahma Riad entered wearing a brown outfit and discreet makeup, as if she didn’t want to create a scene, but to become part of the one surrounding us.
The first words she uttered were spontaneous, as usual: “I love everything vintage.” This short sentence she said contemplating the details of the place around her seemed to sum up her artistic philosophy. Rahma, as we later discovered, is not pursuing the latest hit or trend, but rather hopes to make art that stands the test of time.
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Talking about her latest releases such as “Tfareqina” (You Leave Us), “Safha Jadeeda” (A New Page) and “Kalam El Hob” (Words of Love), describing them as “Shi Helou” (something nice), she simply said: “The style is different from what I’ve done before.” She seemed to be apprehensive of change; not out of a fear of change itself, but due to a devotion to an artistic identity that she had carefully crafted. She described her latest song, “Shi Helou” (Something Nice), as belonging to the Arabic Maqsoum rhythm, with lyrics in Iraqi dialect, but with a light spirit that encourages you to dance. She added: “I was reluctant to sing it, because it is not similar to the classical or dramatic style I’m known for.”
She didn’t try to hide her hesitation, but rather kept talking honestly, as though she was continuing a conversation she had started with herself a while ago. “This musical style was present in old Iraqi songs… maybe people have forgotten it.” The past seemed to provide a gateway to the present, and traditional culture seemed to add legitimacy to her next musical step.
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Her honesty about the hesitation she was feeling challenges most stereotypes people usually associate with pop artist’s personality. Many stars usually try to give the impression that they have everything “under control.” They avoid painting an image of themselves that is confused or filled with doubt, asserting that their successes were the result of planning and vision, and will remain this way in the future.
But Rahma Riad doesn’t care to convey this perfect image of herself. In her imagination lies a very unique and mature dream, and she talks about it with great determination, which was another surprise for us. Rahma is ultimately one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Iraqi music today. She has managed, in a remarkably short time, to join the ranks of not only Iraqi but also pan-Arab music stars – thanks to a career filled with significant milestones.
Rahma Riad Lara Zankoul/Billboard ArabiaFrom a young age, Rahma nurtured her natural talent under the guidance of her father, the late Iraqi singer Riyadh Ahmed. This early support gave her ample time to develop her artistic identity. At 17, she participated in Super Star, followed by the Najm Al Khaleej competition. However, it was her appearance on Star Academy that marked a true turning point. There, she built a strong fan base, performed with major Arab artists, and advanced to the finals alongside Nassif Zeytoun, who won the seventh season in 2010.
Rahma’s major breakthrough came in 2018 with Waed Menni (A Promise from Me), written by Rami Al Obaidi and composed by Ali Saber – marking the start of a lasting creative partnership. The song quickly went viral, despite its simple video featuring family photos and lyrics.
Their collaboration continued in 2020 with Mako Menni, showcasing Iraqi rhythms under the direction of Risha Sarkis. In 2021, Rahma explored a new style with Atahadakom (I Dare You), moving away from her usual melancholic tone. That same year, she released Al-Kawkab (The Planet), which became an instant success.
Rahma also joined Iraq Idol in 2021, not as a contestant, but as a judge, winning praise for her style and charisma. In 2022, she released the romantic song “As’ad Lel Kamar” (I Ascend to the Moon), widely seen as a tribute to her husband, Alexander Uloom, and a hit on TikTok.
She also made her mark at major sports events, performing Aash Al Iraq at the Gulf Cup’s opening and singing in English for the first time in “Light the Sky,” an official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 song alongside Balqees, Manal and Nora Fatehi. She performed again at the World Cup’s closing ceremony, sharing the stage with global stars.
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With her playful and spontaneous personality, she fills the room with laughter and jokes wherever she goes. Perhaps it would have been expected of her, over the past few years, to meet the expectations of the general public by keeping up with the trends in the market. However, time showed that she was firmly defining her own artistic direction. “I don’t give up my musical style to meet the demands of the audience,” she said.
Even when talking about her upcoming album, her answers were decisive yet calm: “There are no surprises.” It was as if she wanted to set a clear line between art that is created to grab your attention for a moment, and art that is built to last. Rather than talking about the behind-the-scenes of her new album, such as the composers she is cooperating with, and the themes of the songs, Rahma expressed her desires and dreams: “Ever since I started performing, or had a dream of becoming a singer, I have wanted to be like the great artists of the past. Whenever you listen to their songs, which may be 50 years old, you have the impression that they were released recently and everyone still appreciates them.”
Rahma Riad Lara Zankoul/Billboard ArabiaAs soon as the conversation approached the idea of changing public tastes, Rahma became affirmative: “Tastes don’t change.” She said, as if she was anticipating the question. Rahma added: “People today listen to Fairouz, Umm Kulthum and Abdul Halim songs on TikTok.” The new generation, in her opinion, has not lost its sense of beauty, but finds itself in the middle of an accelerated musical rhythm that does not allow them to breath or contemplate. “This generation loves to hear eclectic music,” Rahma said: “But at the same time, they revisit songs that are 50 years old and make them trendy again.”
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Her clear commitment to the path she set for herself has not stopped her from achieving multiple successes. She has many hit songs under her belt, with more than 100 million listeners on multiple social media platforms, including “Waad Menni,” “Mako Mani” and “Al Kawkab.” Her duet with Nassif Zeytoun last year, “Ma Fi Leil,” topped the Billboard Arabia charts for weeks and got her and Nassif their first nomination in the Billboard Arabia Music Awards 2024, for the best duo song.
Rahma Riad is indeed facing many challenges today that are not only related to her career and artistic choices. Years ago, her audience witnessed her love story with Iraqi-American actor, Alexander Uloom, which culminated in marriage and the birth of their first daughter, Alia. Today, motherhood imposes additional pressure on Rahma. Her artistic activities, split between the studio and live concerts, and the need to be constantly on the move and traveling, have made her feel guilty sometimes. When asked about the things she loves to do when not performing, she replied instantly: “I love to be with my daughter.”
Her daughter holds a special place in her artistic journey – not as a challenge, but as a guiding compass. “Even my daughter, when she grows up, I want her to listen to music,” she said. “Even my daughter, when she grows up, I want her to listen to music… But not trendy songs that die two weeks later.” Perhaps she sings not just for the present, but for the generation to come – for ears not yet born, who will one day listen to her songs and find meaning in them.
This article was written by Omar Bakbouk for Billboard Arabia.
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