Saudi by Omar: Feel the Beat
Modern Saudi music is in the midst of creative renaissance that shows no sign of quietening down, making a scene both live in the Kingdom of Beats and in the global listening charts. Omar Bin Mohammed Alfadel – better known to his legions of fans as Dafencii – is a rapper, beat maker, cultural chameleon, cutting-edge experimenter, respectful traditionalist, and, and, and… ok, you get it: Man’s a talent with sold out shows and streaming numbers in the millions. We managed to grab a few minutes from Dafencii’s creative whirlwind to learn about what makes him, like his name-sake, a true renaissance man.
Q: Who is Dafencii? Who is Omar?
As Dafencii, I’m a music maker. You can call it rap but I want to push beyond genres, As Omar, I’m from Sudan but I’m living in Jeddah, I’m energized by Jeddah, and I’m inspired by Jeddah. But as in music so in life – I don’t want to be limited to just one type of music or by one identity. I’m a mixture of cultures and a mixer of genres, I’m not one thing but I am all parts of myself. So, for me, music isn’t just beats and bars, it’s how I tell my story and how I represent my city. You don’t need a passport to see who I am or where I belong, you just need my music.
Q: Is it safe to say that Jeddah itself is a big influence on you then?
Definitely. Jeddah’s energy is like no other. Its streets, culture, the Red Sea breeze, the late-night vibe, all of it flows into my sound. It’s like a creative supernova, a hot-bed of talent shaping what modern Saudi music looks, sounds, and feels like. You can pick that up from the crowds at my shows too, so, the community here is another huge part of what keeps me going. All the energy I bring at a show, they send me the same energy right back in their reactions and the way they feel every word, pushing me to go harder every time. That’s real support, feedback, and love. Here in Jeddah – and across the Kingdom – people show up for each other, and the powerful thing is that all of us are under one umbrella.
Q: How do you go about turning those influences into music?
Fundamentally, every track I make starts with feelings. Every verse comes straight from the heart, and I want it to hit home for anyone listening. I write most of my lyrics in Arabic because that’s how I express myself best and connect with the people around me. In terms of that first spark of creation or inspiration though, it can be anything – Something I’ve lived, seen or heard in the streets of Jeddah, like, I might catch a line while I’m out or start humming a melody in the car. Sometimes it’s even just from a vibe late at night and I go from there.
Q: What does the future hold for Dafencii, then?
This is just the beginning. My goal is to put Jeddah on the map. I want to let people know there is real talent coming out of Saudi. I want people to know that there are voices here that are raw, real, and ready. I want people to know that you can come here from wherever and inspire or be inspired. This is real Saudi.
Watch Omar’s story and discover what makes Saudi Arabia’s music hit so hard.
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