A Steady Ascent: Rahma Riad's Artistic Journey to Stardom
A Steady Ascent: Rahma Riad's Artistic Journey to Stardom: In an impressive journey, Rahma Riad has swiftly risen to become a notable figure not only in Iraqi music but across the broader Arabic music scene. Her artistic endeavors are marked by significant milestones, and she currently finds herself in a state of intense creative activity, having already released three songs from her eagerly awaited album titled "I Am Today." The latest addition to her repertoire is the romantic ballad "Hello Hal Al-Sha’ar," yet her journey began many years prior to this phase.
Rahma's innate talent was nurtured from a young age under the guidance of her late father, the renowned Iraqi singer Riyad Ahmed. This early influence provided her with ample time to cultivate her artistic persona. At the age of seventeen, she made her mark in the Super Star program and later in the Gulf Star competition. However, her participation in the Star Academy program proved to be a pivotal moment in her career. Rahma garnered a substantial fan base, shared the stage with some of the Arab world's most prominent artists, and made it to the finals alongside Nassif Zeytoun, who clinched the title in the seventh season in 2010. To this day, both Rahma and Nassif continue to witness a surge in their artistic endeavors and fame.
A significant milestone in Rahma's career can be traced back to the release of the song "Waad Me" in 2018. Written by Rami Al-Aboudi and composed by Ali Saber, this collaboration marked the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership that persists to this day. Despite the simplicity of the video, featuring family photos of Rahma with her parents at different stages of her life, the song exceeded all expectations and garnered millions of views in a short time.
The enduring collaboration between Rahma Riad and composer Ali Saber continued with "Mako Muni" in 2020, featuring a video directed by Risha Sarkis that incorporated Iraqi rhythms with the oboe and flute in a delightful blend. In 2021, Rahma introduced a new dimension with the song "I Dare You," deviating from the somber tones of her previous work. The lyrics, penned by Aqeel Al-Ard, exuded strength and challenge. Following this was the release of the hit song "Al-Kawkab," written by Maher Al-Azzawi.
Rahma's presence extended to the Iraq Idol program in 2021, this time not as a participant but as a member of the jury. Her elegance, remarkable presence, and renewed style captivated the audience in every episode, alongside fellow artists Hatem Al-Iraqi and Saif Nabil.
In 2022, Rahma unveiled her romantic song, "Ascend to the Camera," widely perceived as a dedication to her husband, Alexander Aloum. With lyrics by poet Haider Al-Asir, the song, brimming with love and flirtation, gained popularity on the TikTok platform.
Rahma's versatility shone brightly during the prominent sporting events of the Arab world in the past year. She performed "Long Live Iraq" during the opening of the Gulf Cup Championship and collaborated with Balqis, Manal, and Nora Fatehi in FIFA's official song for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, titled "Light The Sky." This marked Rahma's first English-language performance, showcasing a dramatic look distinct from her usual style. She also participated in the closing ceremony of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar alongside numerous Arab and international stars.
This year, Rahma continued to make waves during the Ramadan season with two songs: "Instead of the Past" in the Lebanese dialect from the series "Fire with Fire" and "Ha Khoya" from the Iraqi series "Khan Al-Dhahab," inspired by Iraqi folklore. Both songs, composed by Fadel Suleiman and Fadel Awad respectively, received millions of views, reinforcing Rahma Riad's steady ascent in the music industry.