< Previousthis page Long Dress in Jersey, CHIARA BONI LA PETITE ROBE. Pleated Fabric and Wire Armor, PASQUALE BONFILIO HATS that page Poplin Shirts, MIU MIU. Sunglasses, BECKY'S OWN GME_011_196to219_beckyg_13404177.indd 21801/10/2024 21:45GME_011_196to219_beckyg_13404177.indd 21901/10/2024 21:45Terracotta Psychedelia Jacquard Cross Neck Kaftan, TALLER MARMO. White Toy Mule in Mesh and Sequins, LOEWE GME_011_P220to239-Tam Tam_13385029.indd 22001/10/2024 22:06From Saudi to Los Angeles, Riyadh-based singer Tamtam’s love for music spans continents. Now she’s on a mission to take Arabic music to the world CREATIVE DIRECTION DANÉ STOJANOVIC PHOTOGRAPHY VLADIMIR MARTÍ STYLIST LAURA JANE BROWN HAIR IVAN KUZ MAKEUP KASIA DOMANSKA SENIOR PRODUCER STEFF HAWKER LIGHT ASSISTANT EDMUNDO AURINO PUNO STYLIST’S ASSISTANTS ALICIA ZANETTE & BRYAN LIU WORDS & INTERVIEW OLIVIA MORRIS TALENT TAMTAM SPECIAL THANKS TO AYA UNIVERSE, WAFI CITY DUBAI PRIDE. PASSION. PERSISTENCE. GRAZIAMA GAZINE. COM221 GME_011_P220to239-Tam Tam_13385029.indd 22103/10/2024 19:19When you’re young and impressionable, going against the grain isn’t something you often see. But for Riyadh-born singer and artist Tamtam, following her gut and passion for music was never a question. “Growing up, I always loved music,” she recalls. “When I was 11 or 12, my friend was like, ‘Oh, actually, you have a really good voice. Did you know that?’ It was the fi rst time people started to compliment my voice and how I sounded, and I just wanted to get into it more.” In contrast to today, it was at a time when the music and entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia was virtually non- existent, but it didn’t faze the young Tamtam. Growing up in the Saudi capital gave Tamtam an incredible and happy childhood, she says. “My parents are amazing and my family is super supportive. Th ey always wanted to give me and my siblings as much as they could.” A career in performance and music, however, wasn’t at the forefront of their conversations. “I’m the kind of person who loves challenges, you know?” Tamtam explains. “So, I went to my dad, and asked, ‘What would happen if I was an artist, like, if I was a singer? I really love music – is that something I could do?’ But I already knew the answer, even before asking him,” she smiles. “I just feel like I’ve always loved to push boundaries.” While she was just a teenager at the time, it’s clear that Tamtam was determined to follow her dreams – and that’s exactly what she did. Immersing herself in the world of music, she drew inspiration from iconic stars like Michael Jackson, and pop sensations such as the Spice Girls and Britney Spears. Despite some reservations about wanting to pursue her musical journey, Tamtam says she just forged ahead. “My biggest challenge is always the challenge between me and myself. It’s just me against me; no one else,” she admits. “But I was, like, ‘Whatever, I’m just going to do it.’ I was making music in the summer and would record with Kuwaiti producer Zahed Sultan. I just wrote and recorded and did my thing.” Tamtam eventually relocated from Saudi to California, where she continued to pursue music as a passion, recording songs with Sultan both in person and virtually. Her dedication paid off : after a few years Tamtam had built up a catalogue of songs which would eventually make for her debut EP, Gender Game. It was then, in 2014 after she had fi nished high school, that she decided to go back to her father to discuss pursuing music professionally. “I talked to my dad and told him I wanted to try doing this for real. He told me, ‘Okay, see what happens. Take a year and see where it takes you’,” Tamtam recalls. And she did just that. However, due to the embryonic stage of Saudi’s music industry at the time, she instead pursued her music career in Los Angeles. Tamtam hit the ground running, sending her EP out to a slew of journalists in the hopes it would gain traction – and it did. It was picked up by a US media outlet and the domino eff ect resulted in 100,000 views on Tamtam’s YouTube channel and was even spotted by Th elma & Louise star Geena Davis. Th e actress, who founded an institute that champions gender equality in media, invited the Saudi-born singer to perform for the organisation after hearing Gender Game. “[Gina] heard the song, and she loved it,” Tamtam smiles. “I was invited to perform it in LA, DC and New York.” Although Tamtam had established herself in the US, there was something pulling her back to her Arab roots, which led her to a writing camp hosted by Shobee, a Moroccan rapper. Th e focus of the camp was to bring Arab artists together and nurture collaboration, which tapped into a whole new form of creativity for Tamtam. 222GRAZIAMA GAZINE. COM GME_011_P220to239-Tam Tam_13385029.indd 22203/10/2024 19:19Chalk High-Neck Knitted Sweater, BOTTEGA VENETA GME_011_P220to239-Tam Tam_13385029.indd 22301/10/2024 22:06this page Black Embellished Tulle Strapless Midi Dress, CAROLINA HERRERA. Tiff any Hardwear Graduated Link Earrings in 18k Gold, Tiff any Hardwear Small Wrap Necklace in Yellow Gold, Tiff any Hardwear Bold Graduated Link Necklace in Yellow Gold, TIFFANY & CO. that page White Fringe Diana Dress, GALVAN LONDON. White Silk Chiff on, RASARIO GME_011_P220to239-Tam Tam_13385029.indd 22401/10/2024 22:06GRAZIAMA GAZINE. COM225 GME_011_P220to239-Tam Tam_13385029.indd 22501/10/2024 22:07Arno Dress in Ivory, TALLER MARMO. 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