At a significant milestone in her artistic career, Imad is participating in the ‘Intervision 2025’ competition to be held in Russia, describing it as an exceptional experience. It is not just a competition but an international platform of great importance. It’s an opportunity to bring Arabic music to a global audience and merge cultures between Saudi Arabia and Russia, opening new horizons for Arab art on an international level.
In an exciting interview with ‘Sputnik Radio,’ Imad expressed her happiness with this participation, which she sees as a vision where music becomes a bridge connecting people and celebrating artistic and cultural heritage. Reflecting on her start in 2018, Imad said, “It was a unique and somewhat strange experience, coinciding with the widespread rise of social media and the beginning of the Entertainment Authority’s support for young talents,” noting that this simultaneity opened up wonderful doors and opportunities for her, helping her begin her artistic life with confident steps.
According to Imad, “Continuity is what makes the difference, it is the key to success, and it’s the challenge I still live with today because an artist must always remain present, renewed, and capable of giving without stopping.” Regarding Saudi musicians and artists she collaborated with, Imad mentioned, “I recall an experience I consider one of the most important milestones that added to my career, which was my participation with the Arab artist, the great Mr. Mohammed Abdo, on his stage. It was an unforgettable exceptional experience, regardless of how high my artistic status becomes in the future, as it played a pivotal role in conveying my voice to the audience,” she added, “I consider it a significant milestone and an important imprint in my artistic journey.”
When asked if Imad has a special fingerprint in her choice of art style, she replied, “Certainly, and this will be more clearly evident in my upcoming works, especially the originals I am preparing to release soon, where the audience will discover a different and renewed side of my artistic personality.” Imad noted the most important milestone, which is “her anticipated participation in the Intervision 2025 competition in Russia, describing it as an ‘exceptional and first-of-its-kind experience in her artistic career.'” She added, “Indeed, this is a completely new experience for me, and I see it as an opportunity to explore, just as if I were visiting a new city for the first time. Although I am not fond of traveling, I always love discovering every new artistic experience, whether it’s a concert, a new musical color, or a different challenge.”
Regarding preparation for the ‘Intervision 2025’ competition, and whether Imad has a special song, she said, “Certainly, I will have a special song that will surprise you soon,” adding, “As for my preparations, since I don’t set specific expectations, I don’t know what the overall atmosphere of the event will be. This is the first time I am participating in a global-level voice competition, and naturally, everything is new to me. Despite this, I am optimistic and happy, and I look forward to this experience with great enthusiasm.”
Imad believes that “not confining her works to a specific scope opens up wide horizons for her, allowing her to reach a new audience that does not know her yet,” and she added, “My participation in Intervision 2025 will add a lot to me personally and artistically, and will expand my musical acquaintances, where I will meet people from different musical backgrounds, which will positively reflect on my career, especially in the musical aspect.”
In Imad’s opinion, “Art in general, and any person blessed with talent by God, can convey an important message through it,” and she added, “For me, I see artists with their beautiful voices, or those who draw, sculpt, and all kinds of artists capable of delivering messages to society and viewers,” emphasizing that “talent is a divine blessing and not something acquired, and through it, an artist can convey their message uniquely, benefiting from what God has blessed them with.”
Imad affirmed that “production companies differ from one artist to another, but my personal experience was rich and beneficial, as it helps in choosing works and providing a high level of quality, which contributes to shaping the artist, especially if they are young,” noting that “large institutions play an important role in guiding the youth, who are the cornerstone of any society.”
She added, “This type of cultural exchange, such as private parties focusing on a specific culture like Sudanese, African, or Arab, is a wonderful and rich experience, and we aspire for it to extend more broadly. In this context, cultural dialogue can be larger, including Western cultures like Russian and American.”
Imad expects that “there will be a clear Arab presence, in addition to the Russian audience, making the experience enjoyable for everyone and allowing the presentation of something that pleases both parties together.”
Responding to a question about whether an artist bears the responsibility of being a cultural ambassador or should be a hundred percent neutral, Imad answered, “The artist represents their homeland and country, and any song they present or any artistic work they do, especially if it is outside their country, represents their kingdom and homeland with all the art and messages they provide.”
Regarding the choice of song lyrics with melodies, Imad explained that “composers and poets are everywhere, and the way songs are chosen depends on several factors: the topic you want to present, the story that touches you, and the direction of the business manager according to the market vision and what the audience demands,” adding, “Age is also important, as I am 25 years old, so I choose topics that suit me and suit my generation and avoid heavy topics, as all these factors help in presenting content that reflects my personality and artistic experience.”
Imad advised young Arab artists: “Sometimes we go through moments of despair or lose passion, but this does not mean the passion stops. The important thing is continuity, which is the main reason for success, after the grace of God,” and she added, “With perseverance and constant pursuit, an artist can progress and achieve their artistic development and reach the forefront.”
Regarding the actual steps towards integrating Arab and Russian culture, Imad pointed out the necessity of “learning and benefiting from every piece of information, and knowing how to integrate the two cultures,” indicating that this is “among her goals during her upcoming visit, which will be her first visit to Russia.”
About the challenges she faced, Imad said, “Sometimes an artist goes through moments where they feel incapable of facing a certain challenge, but it can become a turning point if they decide not to give up and continue, believing in their ability to overcome every test and challenge they face.”
Imad emphasized the importance of mental health for the artist in general, noting that “the artist faces great pressure from cameras, audiences, and lights, so it’s important to find a way to release tension.” She continued, “For me, I love sitting with my family away from work and enjoying the moment, as this helps with mental relaxation, because it is necessary, as every tension or distress appears on camera and affects performance.”
