Amal Maher has started working on a new Khaleeji album.
The Egyptian singer, known for a sophisticated pop sound throughout her three albums, said she wanted to challenge herself even further by singing Gulf based melodies.
“It’s not about doing this kind of style just because that would sell,” she said from the Moroccan world music festival Mawazine on Sunday.
“As an artist I owe it to myself to different style and see how far I can push myself.”
The 30-year-old Maher said the move was inspired by her friendship with veteran Saudi singer Mohammed Abdou.
“We have performed together before and he is a kind and generous person,” she says.
“He has been encouraging me about doing this and no doubt he will get involved somehow, either singing with me or compose a song for me.”
Maher is presently touring the region on the back of her third and latest album, Awlad Al Naharda, which came out earlier this year.
• The Mawazine Festival runs until Saturday
sasaeed@thenational.ae
