As a winner of Orange Music Talents 2024, Malak has toured 14 cities and built her music on emotional honesty over algorithmic trends. Her 2024 single "Habibi" was a tribute to her father, exploring grief with quiet grace. With “SIR,” she continues to explore personal narratives but shifts from reflective mourning to resolute departure—an evolution in emotional trajectory. We spoke to Malak about 'SIR' and her thoughts about the entire journey.
Creative Process & Production
“SIR” blends traditional Arabic percussion with modern electronic production. What was the sonic vision behind this fusion?
"The idea was to create a sound that feels both rooted and futuristic. I wanted all the universes to meet and create one world , where traditional Arabic percussion and modern electronic production collide to express something bold, emotional, and free."
How did you choose the instrumentation for “SIR”? Were there any unexpected elements that made it into the final mix?
"For “SIR,” I chose instrumentation that could reflect both sadness and joy in one track , that emotional duality was important to me. It was a challenge to build, but it worked. Mourad El Madani (my producer) and I, blended strong Arabic percussion like darbuka for raw, grounded energy, with modern synths and deep bass to bring a contemporary, emotional edge. One unexpected element that made it into the final mix was the atmospheric adlibs at the beginning, they weren’t planned, but they added a haunting, ethereal layer that set the tone and pulled everything together."
Was there a specific moment in the studio when you knew the track was “ready”?
"Yes, there was a specific moment, it was when I found the chorus in the studio. I had written and structured the entire song without a chorus, which is unusual since most artists start with it, I was more focused on the hooks at first . But in this case, I started improvising melodies in the studio, and the chorus just came naturally. It wasn’t planned in advance, but it turned out amazing, that’s when I knew the track was ready."
Lyrics & Emotion
The word “SIR” has multiple meanings—how does it reflect the personal message of the song for you?
“SIR” for me means breaking free from the negativity lived in a certain situation. On the surface, the track feels like it’s about a couple, but the deeper message is much broader, it’s about finding the strength to walk away from any relationship where you’re being used, abused, or held back, no matter who the person is. It’s a call to reclaim your power.
You often explore vulnerable emotions through rhythm. How do you find the balance between sorrow and movement in your music?
"For me, rhythm is a way to carry emotion without words. I find the balance between sorrow and movement by blending heavy, emotional melodies with beats that push forward, like turning pain into strength. It’s about letting the listener feel, but also move through what they’re feeling."
Visual & Artistic Direction
The music video for “SIR” uses natural light and minimalist scenes—what was the narrative or feeling you wanted to convey visually?
"I wanted to convey empowerment, through both the feminine and masculine poles that coexist within a woman. The VTAs represent this duality and strength. The motion of the quads symbolizes forward momentum and resilience, while the crossers create a jolt, a visual shock that disrupts stillness. The flags evoke a sense of revolution and rebelliousness, a breaking free from constraints. And the drowning scene embodies the inner emotional battle, moments of struggle, silence, and re-emergence. for me the natural light and minimalism allowed these symbolic elements to breathe and resonate on a raw, visceral level."
How involved were you in directing or storyboarding the video concept?
"I was deeply involved in the storyboarding process, I co-created it with Yunus and El Mostafa Irgui. Some of the core visual ideas came from me: the quads, the flags, and the drowning scene. Yunus and El Mostafa brought a lot of strong, creative input as well, and the execution of each scene was truly top-tier. I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to the 'Quad friends' for their generosity, they let us use the club and equipment, which made a huge difference. The VTAs added such strength and energy to the project; they really elevated the whole visual narrative."
Cultural Influence & Identity
You mix languages and cultures seamlessly—Arabic, African rhythms, EDM. How do your roots and travels shape your sound?
"My sound is a reflection of who I am, rooted in North Africa but constantly evolving through movement and encounters. Arabic is my mother tongue, and it carries emotion and rhythm in every syllable. African rhythms are in my blood; they ground me, connect me to something ancestral. And EDM brings a sense of urgency, universality, and modernity.I don’t separate genres or languages; I blend them instinctively, like stitching together fragments of identity into one cohesive, living sound."
How important is it for you to preserve your identity while reaching a global audience?
"It’s important, my identity is the core of my art, it’s what shapes my voice and vision. But I also believe in connection. I don’t mind finding common ground with a global audience, as long as it’s authentic. It’s not about compromising who I am, but about creating bridges, letting my roots speak while inviting others in. That balance between staying true and staying open is where the magic happens."
Career & Vision
You’ve performed in 14 cities since winning Orange Music Talents 2024—how has touring influenced your songwriting?
"Touring has been transformative. On stage, you feel what resonates, what moves people in real time. That feedback becomes part of your creative instinct. It’s made my songwriting more open, more intuitive. I’m writing with a wider emotional range now still grounded in my roots, but with echoes of all the places and people I’ve encountered along the way."
From “Habibi” to “SIR,” your themes are evolving. What’s next emotionally and musically?
"I’ll keep exploring real-life themes, everything raw, honest, and human. Love, loss, the need to break free, the strength to stand up against what I don’t agree with. Emotionally, I’m drawn to what’s often left unspoken, the taboos and the grey areas. Musically, I’ll continue to evolve, but always with intention, pushing boundaries while staying true to my voice. I’m not afraid to go deeper or louder if that’s what the story needs."
