Letting Go of the Past: Tamtam Challenges Herself on Her Debut Arabic Album ‘Ma3assalama Side A’

The Saudi singer-songwriter is reclaiming her narrative.

Photography by Jason Renaud

Umm Kulthum, Fairuz, and Leila Mourad. These legendary female artists are the pillars of Arabic music and generational culture. Their songs are windows to our mother’s teenage years, our father’s upbringing, and our grandparents’ lives. Their lyrics teach us about patriotism, pride, and love towards our Arab nations and heritage. 

For Tamtam, a Saudi singer-songwriter and cultural pioneer, these women are the inspiration behind her debut Arabic album, Ma3assalama Side A. Driven to reclaim the narrative of iconic Arab artists and musicians; the album represents a modern take on these artists in the Arab entertainment world. Though primarily in Arabic, she invites listeners from all cultures and backgrounds to connect with the album’s universal themes of self-love, loss, and personal growth. We sat down with Tamtam to discuss the release of and meaning behind Ma3assalama Side A, the challenges she faced, and the importance of sharing her heritage with the world. 

Initially, Tamtam says she didn’t plan on creating an Arabic album. However, the inspiration behind Ma3assalama Side A stems from hanging out with her producer and songwriter friend, who was into Arabic music, especially Khaleeji music. She says, “During Ramadan 2021, we’d sit in his studio writing music, and one of the tracks he was working on had an Arabic vibe. We brought in someone to play the Oud on the first version, and then I added lyrics from a poem by my friend, Deema Sabbagh. The melody came to me so naturally—it just flowed, like it was meant to be.” She’s always been moved by legends like Asmahan and Fairuz. They made her realize that she could turn Arabic poems into songs, ready her to dive deeper into this new creative direction and create more fully Arabic songs. 

Tamtam is from Saudi Arabia, with Syrian, Palestinian, and Egyptian roots, and is incredibly proud of all the places that shaped her. She celebrates this diversity and encourages every Arab and mixed person to embrace each part of their identity, drawing inspiration from classic Egyptian films and aiming to capture the timeless feel and sound of the golden age of Arab cinema—but with a modern twist. Tamtam tells us that “the songs on the album reflect this blend of influences: 8 to 8 is in a Syrian accent, Ahrub, Qadar, Malaky, and Ma3assalama are in traditional Arabic Fus-ha, understood across the Arab world, while Laa Laa and Tistahelny feature a Saudi accent. The intro also touches on a question she’s often asked: “Where do you come from?”

For Tamtam, this debut album is a strong representation of her identity. She tells us that “Ma3assalama” means “goodbye” in Arabic, but it’s more than just a farewell. “It’s about letting go of anything that no longer serves me and creating space for growth. It’s a reminder to release what holds me back and embrace the journey of becoming a better version of myself.” As her first Arabic album, her biggest challenge was writing parts of the songs in Arabic and adapting lyrics from poems her friends and relatives had written.

“I’m so grateful for the poets who are a part of this album,” Tamtam says. “They gave me such beautiful, raw material to work with. Turning these personal pieces into songs was both fun and challenging. While I speak and write Arabic, crafting lyrics and poetry requires a different level of eloquence. Even fluency doesn’t guarantee that same poetic flow. It’s a skill I’m constantly striving to improve and one I hope to keep challenging myself with every day.” 

Tamtam hopes that Ma3assalama listeners learn that they are not alone in their pain, loneliness, or loss and can transform their hurt into something beautiful—through a song, a poem, art, or writing. “By the end of the album, I hope they feel strength and healing—just like in “Malaky,” a song that began as a poem by my aunty Omayma, a reminder that she’s beautiful, loved, and her own angel,” she says. “It’s about the most important relationship we have—the one with ourselves. I hope this album takes them from heartbreak to empowerment, and whenever pain comes, they’ll remember they’ve been through it before, and they’ll rise again, stronger than ever.”