Inside the First-of-its-kind ‘Women in Music’ Event in Cairo

SceneNoise, Little Pink Book and Takwene co-hosted the first ‘Women in Music Event’ in Cairo at Yellow Tape Records, Maadi, bringing together some of Egypt’s top female artists and industry professionals for a first-of-its-kind intimate gathering to celebrate the women shaping the region’s music industry today.

The night kicked off with some cathartic and thought-provoking talks; the first being an industry-focused panel discussion titled ‘Off Stage: Women Laying the Groundwork for a Sustainable Music Industry in MENA’, moderated by Habiba El Sayed (Content Marketing Manager, Takwene) with Nalan Al Sarraj (Head of Talent Management, Beatroot Records), Dalaih Galal (Founder & CEO of Carousel), Babel Sadek (A&R Manager at Sony Music Publishing) and Reem Tarek (Content Promotions & Acquisitions Lead at Anghami).

The panelists shared insights on how the region’s landscape for women in the music business has changed over the past five years, offering advice on key qualities emerging artists should look for in managers and record label partnerships. “So many talents are overlooked because major labels aren’t embracing new voices, they’re looking for the next Sherine Abdelwahab or Ruby,” Said Daliah Galal, Founder & CEO of Carousel.

Following suit, an artist-focused panel titled ‘Beyond the ‘Female’ Prefix: The Artists Pushing the Envelope of MENA’s Music Scene’, moderated by Munky, gathered the likes of Blu Fiefer, Maii Waleed, Perrie, Dina El Wedidi and Wave. The panelists shared insights and key strategies on how emerging female artists can break barriers, grow their careers and push their music to global prominence. Lebanese artist Blu Fiefer, founder of independent record label Mafi Budget, stressed that creating a ‘female-only’ playlist only limits artists by boxing them off in a separate category instead of integrating them into mainstream industry conversations.

After a short recess, the packed crowd was then treated to a series of stunning unplugged performances from Maii Waleed, Ma-Beyn and Dounia Wael. Wave and Uyuh then delivered some mosh-pit-inducing rap bangers, before Yellow Tape’s very own Mira closed the night with an eclectic DJ set.