Saudi Arabia's inaugural entry into Intervision 2025 was marked by the selection of Zena Emad, a talented singer and songwriter who represents the modern face of Arabic pop. Her participation was a significant cultural move, setting the stage for Saudi Arabia to be named the host of the next contest.
The Road to Intervision: A Voice of Modern Arabic Pop
Zena Emad was selected to represent the Kingdom by the Saudi Music Commission (part of the Ministry of Culture, MOCSA), recognizing her rapid ascent and unique style. Zena Emad is hailed as one of the most vibrant new voices in the Middle Eastern music scene and a symbol of modern Arab pop. She is a recipient of a Riyadh Joy Award as Best Emerging Artist and a winner of the Ministry of Culture's competition for young musicians. She began her career with covers, and her original videos now garner hundreds of millions of views on YouTube. Her style is described as a fusion of traditional Arabic melodies and modern pop rhythms with elements of Khaliji, jazz, and soft rock. Saudi Arabia's participation was organized by the Saudi Music Commission and featured Ahmed Karkanawi (a prominent composer and producer) as their representative on the professional jury.
The Contest Performance and Theme
Zena Emad performed her original ballad 'Mojrad Ham / مجرّد هم'. "I wanted to give voice to that feeling when someone finally says, 'I am concerned about you,' even if everyone else isn't. This is one of the most personal songs I have ever performed," said Zena Emad.
The composition, written in the ballad genre, combines elements of pop music and Middle Eastern motifs, blending modern Arabic melodies, classical orchestration techniques, and electronic sound. The theme is highly personal, focusing on feeling alone but finding comfort in the knowledge that "there is still someone who worries for you."
Contest Result and Life After Intervision
Saudi Arabia's entry, while not finishing at the top of the scoreboard(17th place), successfully highlighted the quality and emerging talent of its contemporary music scene. Following the contest, Zena Emad returned to a significant cultural triumph: during the 2025 final, it was announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would host the second edition of the Intervision International Music Contest in 2026. Her performance was therefore a pivotal moment that launched the Kingdom's official host status. Zena Emad continued her work in the region's music scene, leveraging the global exposure from Intervision to further her career as a leading figure in modern Arabic pop, with her focus remaining on large-scale projects and mentoring young talent through the Saudi Music Commission.
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