< PreviousOne of her major local inspirations, Amy says, is her friend Molham Krayem, the singer-songwriter and rapper whose track ‘Khayali’ has become an online staple and is the soundtrack to innumerable TikTok videos. “He taught me that you can create the rules of the music yourself,” she reveals. Amy also cites Saudi singer Ayed Youssef. “He does the regular type of Saudi music, but he adds a little pop to it,” she says. “I fi nd that super-cool and super-edgy, because Saudi Arabic music is so tight. So for him to do that, he’s breaking a stereotype.” But her “absolute favourites”, Amy says, are Kuwaiti-Khaleeji pop veterans Miami Band. “Every single song I know of theirs was done in, like, 1995, but they’re still relevant, to this day.” Th at kind of longevity now seems more possible than ever in Saudi Arabia. It’s an exciting time to be in the entertainment industry in the Kingdom, particularly as a musician, working in one of the only places in the world in which the industry itself is developing alongside the artists. People like Amy don’t just have a front-row seat to its evolution, they’re helping to drive it. “I love that,” says Amy. “Saudi is growing so fast. And it’s so nice to see that when there’s a huge event, they go, ‘Yeah, let’s bring everybody.’ It feels like they put us up together in these huge events, so you feel so included. And you feel like you’re part of the change. It’s just incredible. I wonder how I’m gonna describe this to my kids, you know? How am I gonna tell them what I felt? Th ere are no words to describe what’s happening right now. And I’m so happy to feel included, to feel part of this huge thing that’s fi nally happening.” Th at inclusivity is further amplifi ed by the fact that Amy says she can’t think of any challenges she’s faced in the Saudi music industry because of her gender. “Here’s the thing: when you fi rst start, everything is challenging because you don’t know anything. You don’t know what to do. Th at’s the most diffi cult part. Because you’re just, like, ‘Can I create music? Is this OK? Are my parents gonna go crazy? No? Th ey’re OK with that? OK. How do I work with a producer?’ Th e most diffi cult part is just the not knowing,” she admits. “One thing I wasn’t doing at the time was asking people the right questions, which is a big mistake. I’d say, if you’re going through something like that, ask the people around you.” Seeking help from, and collaborating with, others is something Amy prescribes for the next generation of Saudi artists. But she also stresses the need to trust your own judgement. “Be daring. Try what you like, release what you like. You don’t always have to listen to what the people around you have to say. You know, I have a friend who posted a song. He didn’t take anyone’s opinion, he was rushing. He just posted it. Bam! A million views. So be daring and don’t care about what people think. Just do what you gotta do. Collaborate. Work hard on your music, refi ne it and fi nd your taste.” For an example of how much things have changed in Saudi Arabia since Amy started out, take her experience at XP Music Futures – an event organised by MDLBeast. “Imagine: I go to this place and they were, like, ‘Hey, we’re doing a freestyle.’ Th ey brought in a guitarist and a drummer, and other musicians, and they gave me the mic. ‘Go ahead.’ And I was, like, ‘What?’ Th ere’s an audience there. ‘Yeah, go ahead. Just have fun. Do whatever you want.’ You could mumble, you could rap… It was so much fun, and it felt so inclusive, and you felt so part of something, even though I don’t know what that was,” she says, laughing. Th at’s a pretty accurate summary of where the music scene is at the moment in Saudi – lots of collaboration, lots of improvisation, lots of possibilities, and a lot of fun. Leopard-print Jacket, ELISABETTA FRANCHI. Black Hat with Tulle Ribbon, ZAID FAROUKI. Black Hijab, AMY’S OWN 148GRAZIAMA GAZINE. COM GME_011_142-161_Amy Roko_13394121.indd 14801/10/2024 21:35GME_011_142-161_Amy Roko_13394121.indd 14901/10/2024 21:35this page Floral Headpiece, STYLIST’S OWN that page Yin-yang Kaftan in Black and White Silk Crepe, 1309 STUDIOS. Black Hood Embellished with Silver Sequins, MICHAEL CINCO. Black Hijab, AMY’S OWN GME_011_142-161_Amy Roko_13394121.indd 15001/10/2024 21:35GRAZIAMA GAZINE. COM151 GME_011_142-161_Amy Roko_13394121.indd 15101/10/2024 21:35152GRAZIAMA GAZINE. COM GME_011_142-161_Amy Roko_13394121.indd 15201/10/2024 21:35this page Metal Headpiece, STYLIST’S OWN. Black Hijab, AMY’S OWN that page Grey Hoodie with Metallic Off cuts, ELISABETTA FRANCHI. Black Peplum Skirt, MICHAEL CINCO. Black Hijab, AMY’S OWN GME_011_142-161_Amy Roko_13394121.indd 15302/10/2024 20:50this page Crepe and Silk Chiff on Corset Gown, RASARIO. Black Hijab, AMY’S OWN. Floral Cape, STYLIST’S OWN that page Grey Hoodie with Metallic Off cuts, ELISABETTA FRANCHI. Black Peplum Skirt, MICHAEL CINCO. Black Hijab, AMY’S OWN GME_011_142-161_Amy Roko_13394121.indd 15401/10/2024 21:36GRAZIAMA GAZINE. COM155 GME_011_142-161_Amy Roko_13394121.indd 15501/10/2024 21:36156GRAZIAMA GAZINE. COM GME_011_142-161_Amy Roko_13394121.indd 15601/10/2024 21:36Mesogios Kimono Thalia in Blue, Kilimi Blouse, Kilimi Evening Skirt, RIANNA + NINA. Black Hijab, AMY’S OWN. Metal Headpiece, STYLIST’S OWN GME_011_142-161_Amy Roko_13394121.indd 15701/10/2024 21:36Next >