Rhythms of the Gulf: The singing star bringing Khaliji music to the world

Sitting in an empty theatre is probably an unusual experience for Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi. Normally, the seats would be packed with fans waiting to hear his voice, described as a 'tender baritone.' But it's a closed set at Katara cultural village in Doha, as Fahad's chatting to The Dialogue about his life and career.

"My ambition is to deliver a Gulf song… to the world in a way that doesn't lose its spirit," he says. When asked if the Khaliji music genre he's most famous for can break through, he's positive it will. "Without a doubt," he affirms.

Khaliji music has roots believed to go back more than 1,000 years. Characterised by the heavy use of stringed instruments such as the rebab and oud, it's hugely popular across the Arab world. Fahad says it has close links to other musical genres which have become more popular.

"I think the Gulf song is very close to Indian music and very close to African culture," he says. Rhythms link them, explains Fahad.

"We have rhythms that are related to women. We have rhythms for men. We have rhythms that are played only on certain occasions," he explains. This type of format, Fahad adds, can make it complex to work with.

"Therefore, for songs from the Gulf, it's very difficult to create…a different format while linking it to music," he says. "So, we take a long time to make a song that is close to the original song or link it to…Western music."

Fahad performed the official FIFA World Cup 2022 song 'Dreamers' alongside BTS member Jung Kook. "For me, this was the most beautiful moment in my life, to attend and sing at the opening of the World Cup," he enthuses. "This dream was a big dream…singing in front of more than three billion viewers."

While he described the experience of singing in