From speed garage to Arabic pop, one hour of borderless club energy from the Saudi DJ and curator.
"We're making history tonight," hollered the MC at the start of Nooriyah's London Boiler Room in 2022. Sat next to the decks was her baba (Arabic for father), dressed in traditional Saudi garb. He opened the one-hour performance by playing the oud, a Middle Eastern instrument similar to a lute. Surrounded by smiling faces and pumping arms, it's a picture of joy.
The set was a turning point—and not just for Nooriyah's career. Scroll through the comments on YouTube and you'll find notes of endearment, gratitude and teary appreciation, proof of how powerful it was for people to see Middle Eastern music placed at the centre of contemporary club culture.
This speaks to Nooriyah's MO. Born in Saudi Arabia, raised in Japan and now based in the UK, her musical vision reflects her global upbringing. But her style isn't eclecticism for eclecticism's sake—she's spoken about the importance of carving out space for underrepresented voices in dance music.
Her RA Mix makes that mission audible. The result is a breathless hour: 47 tracks darting between speed garage, amapiano, Jersey club, Arabic pop edits and percussion-heavy workouts from Cairo to Accra. But don't mistake pace for carelessness: RA.1002 never feels rushed. Each switch is considered, revealing a knowledge of how global dance traditions can speak to one another.
All in all, it's not only a celebration of her own heritage, but an invitation to imagine dance floors unconstrained by borders.
@nooriyah
Find the tracklist and interview at ra.co/podcast/1020.