Q: Haifa, your recent work has attracted attention for blending traditional Arabic music with electronic elements. What inspired this artistic direction?
Haifa Kamal: I’ve always believed that traditional Arabic music is timeless. The melodies, emotions, and stories within our folk heritage are incredibly powerful, but younger audiences today consume music differently. My goal is not to replace tradition, but to create a bridge between generations. By introducing electronic remixes, modern arrangements, and contemporary production techniques, I hope to make these beautiful songs accessible and exciting for Arab youth as well as international listeners who may be discovering our musical culture for the first time.
Q: Many artists hesitate to touch traditional songs because of their cultural significance. How do you approach this responsibility?
Haifa Kamal: Respect is always the starting point. I never view traditional songs as material to be altered carelessly. I spend a great deal of time researching their history, context, and cultural importance. When I reinterpret a song, I preserve its original melody and musical spirit. The essence remains intact. What changes is the presentation—the arrangement, the sound design, the rhythm, and sometimes the narrative perspective.
Q: One of your most unique approaches involves rewriting lyrics while preserving the original tune. Can you explain that process?
Haifa Kamal: This is one of the most exciting parts of my work. Traditional Palestinian and Levantine songs often tell stories that reflect the realities of earlier generations. While those stories remain valuable, I also want to explore how the same melodies can carry new narratives that speak to contemporary audiences.
I write new lyrics that fit the original melodic structure, allowing the song to tell a different story while preserving its musical identity. It’s a dialogue between past and present. The melody remains familiar, but the listener experiences it through a fresh emotional lens.
Q: Your productions often feature electronic beats and modern soundscapes. What role does technology play in your music?
Haifa Kamal: Technology allows us to expand the possibilities of traditional music without losing its soul. I enjoy experimenting with electronic textures, synthesizers, modern percussion, and creative sound design. These elements can highlight aspects of a melody that listeners might not notice in a conventional arrangement.
The challenge is balance. The electronic production should enhance the song, not overpower it. I want listeners to hear the heritage first and the innovation second.
Q: Your visual identity has become as distinctive as your music. How important are visuals to your artistic vision?
Haifa Kamal: They’re essential. Music today is experienced both through sound and image. Every release is an opportunity to create a complete artistic world. I pay close attention to graphic design, color palettes, fashion, photography, and visual storytelling.
My visual aesthetic reflects the same philosophy as my music: modernization rooted in heritage. I love combining traditional cultural references with contemporary fashion and bold, intelligent design concepts. The visuals should communicate the spirit of the music before a listener even presses play.
Q: Do you see your work as cultural preservation, innovation, or both?
Haifa Kamal: Definitely both. Preserving heritage doesn’t mean placing it behind glass and never touching it. Real preservation means keeping it alive. If younger generations connect with these songs, sing them, remix them, and reinterpret them while respecting their origins, then the tradition continues to thrive.
I see my role as helping these songs travel across generations and across borders.
Q: You have mentioned that you are currently researching lesser-known traditional music. What can you tell us about that?
Haifa Kamal: I’m currently exploring a large collection of traditional Jordanian and Iraqi songs, particularly pieces that are not widely known today. Some of these songs are musical treasures that deserve renewed attention.
The research process is fascinating. I’m listening to archival recordings, studying regional musical styles, and learning about the stories behind these songs. My hope is to reintroduce them through my own contemporary vision while preserving the authenticity that makes them special.
Q: What do you hope international audiences take away from your music?
Haifa Kamal: I hope they discover the richness, beauty, and diversity of Arab musical heritage. Folk music contains universal emotions—love, longing, celebration, resilience, and hope. Even if listeners don’t understand every word, they can connect with the feeling.
Music has always been a language that transcends borders. If my work helps someone in another part of the world fall in love with an old Palestinian, Jordanian, Iraqi, or Levantine melody, then I’ve achieved something meaningful.
Q: Finally, what is the long-term vision for Haifa Kamal’s artistic journey?
Haifa Kamal: My vision is to continue building a modern musical universe inspired by Arab heritage. I want to keep experimenting, researching, and discovering forgotten songs while creating innovative productions that resonate with today’s audiences.
The past gives us roots, but creativity gives us wings. My mission is to honor both.
Social Media accounts of Haifa Kamal :
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/HaifaKamal
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/haifakamalofficial?igsh=MXNpc3RpOGFsZWpjcw==
Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/0xwZhfTrb8cAZOV3Sgb450?si=THe5DNZdSCmT6aZIPg85xA
Apple music : https://music.apple.com/qa/artist/haifa-kamal/947276375
X : https://x.com/haifakofficial?s=11&t=qC_Qx0mdbsLkb9SBXr2aiQ
Youtube Channel : https://youtube.com/@haifakamal?si=mpjd8q4QcsHcHR79
Featured Video (Latest release) : https://youtu.be/HepE6R3h7Ug?si=HrSEHa82GZcYZSyv
