Jara, a 27-year-old Saudi musician, found her voice in rap at a young age, driven by a natural urge to express herself. She recalls freestyling for her parents as a child, not knowing that this spontaneous expression would lead her into the world of rap. “Rap’s always been something that comes freely to me,” she tells City Times. “It feels powerful, and that’s kind of why I chose it to begin with.”
Now living in Dubai, Jara views the city as the perfect place to further her career. She is one of the few Saudi women in the rap scene, unafraid to speak her truth through her music. Her latest track, Morals, reflects her belief in the power of rap to communicate messages of importance. “Every song I make has a purpose behind it,” she explains. “I talk about topics like racism, mental health, gender roles, and morals. Music is the best way to tell a story and make a real impact.”
Despite the subversive reputation of rap, Jara stands apart by maintaining her values. As a devout Muslim, she refuses to compromise her morals for fame. “I’m different in the scene because I don’t collaborate with men,” she says, adding with a smile, “Maybe I would do a friendly rap battle with a woman, but I’m too nice to diss anyone.”
Fluent in Arabic, English, and Swedish, Jara is already preparing to release a Swedish track and hopes to experiment with other languages in her music. Her genre-blending style includes everything from Afrobeat to UK drill, constantly evolving and pushing the boundaries of her sound. “I never want to be put in a box as just a rapper,” she explains. “As an artist, I’m always experimenting with different styles.”
While her growing fan base includes 30.2k Instagram followers, Jara remains humble about her journey. She says she hasn’t found her ideal audience yet, but that’s part of the reason she keeps experimenting. She’s considering releasing an EP or album soon, although she admits the process might take longer due to her desire to release each song alongside a music video.
Despite working on a small budget, Jara is determined to create high-quality content. She often purchases beats from YouTube, uses GarageBand, and records with a USB mic. “You don’t need a big budget to make music or a music video,” she says. “It’s about pushing yourself and proving that with creativity, you can do a lot with a little.”
Throughout her career, Jara has faced criticism, but she channels it into her art. In her songs, she flips negativity on its head, transforming it into a source of empowerment. For instance, when critics suggest women belong in the kitchen, she responds with lines about her ability to do much more.
Jara’s father has been her biggest supporter, accompanying her to music video shoots and studio sessions. When she first told him about her desire to pursue rap, he encouraged her to stay true to her beliefs. “I wanted to ‘halalify’ rap,” she says. “You can be Muslim and still rap without cussing. You can deliver a message while maintaining your values.”
For aspiring artists, Jara offers this advice: “Never give up on your morals and standards. Don’t feel like you have to sell out to succeed. It might take longer, but you’ll feel better knowing you did it the right way.”
As Jara continues her journey, she’s determined to make her mark on the music industry, using her unique voice to inspire others while staying true to her values.
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