Maryam Saleh
Biography
Maryam Saleh Saad (born November 3, 1985) is an Egyptian singer, songwriter, and actress whose work seamlessly blends psychedelic rock, folk, and Arabic trip-hop. Known for her distinctive, gritty vocals and sharp artistic vision, Maryam has established herself as a pioneer of the Arab independent music scene.
Born in Beni Suef, Egypt, Maryam later moved to Cairo, growing up in a deeply artistic and politically conscious household.
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Her Father, Saleh Saad, a prominent stage writer, theater director, and critic. From the age of nine, Maryam joined his roving theater troupe, performing on the streets of Egyptian villages. She frequently played Farfour (a traditional clown character), an experience that heavily shaped her mischievous, rule-breaking artistic persona. Tragically, her father passed away in a devastating theater fire in Beni Suef in 2005.
Her mother, Amany Ibrahim, was a singer and actor, and her younger sister, Nagham Saleh, followed in the family footsteps to become a singer as well.
Maryam's childhood home in Old Cairo was a vibrant hub for artists and dissidents. Legendary figures like the satirical poet Ahmad Fouad Negm and the iconic musician Sheikh Imam were frequent guests—especially on her birthdays—profoundly shaping her musical ear and political consciousness from a young age.
In 2008, She founded Jawaz Safar Band, an minimalist project featuring only the oud and tabl (percussion). Looking for a heavier sound, she later formed Baraka Band, a rock-infused band that gained fame for its raw, contemporary covers of Sheikh Imam's classic protest songs.
In 2012, she released her debut solo album (Mesh Baghanny). She later followed this up with a highly praised collaborative album with Zeid Hamdan in 2015 (Halawella). In 2017, she collaborated with Maurice Louca and her husband Tamer Abu Ghazaleh to release the critically acclaimed album (Lekhfa).
Syrr (سِرّ)—which translates to "Secret" is Maryam Saleh’s fourth studio album. Released on March 27, 2026, through Simsara Records, it marked her highly anticipated return after a nine-year hiatus following 2017's Lekhfa.
In addition to her music, Maryam Saleh is a talented actress who has appeared in several notable films and short projects. Ein Shams (2008) Hadouta Men Sag (A Tin Tale, 2011), in which she played the lead role of Mona Farkha.
Aelat Miki (Miki's Family, 2011)Akher Ayam El Madina (Last Days of the City, 2018)
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.