- Words Notion Staff
As he continues to break boundaries, Hamza Hawsawi talks his musical beginnings, Jeddah's thriving creative community and his new single, 'Wonder'.
In the ever-changing world of music, Hamza Hawsawi, a Saudi Arabian R&B sensation, is making waves with his latest single, ‘Wonder.’ This soulful track, produced by Bailouni and featuring the impressive guitar work of Hashem, is more than just a song—it’s an emotional journey that highlights his growth as an artist.
Recorded in the heart of Saudi Arabia, ‘Wonder’ marks a significant shift from Hamza’s earlier works. This track showcases his evolution, reflecting a deeper, more mature approach to his music. This new chapter in his career is about being true to himself and creating art that is genuine and unapologetic.
Proudly calling himself the “Jeddawi Kid” after his hometown of Jeddah, Hamza is committed to involving local and regional talent in his projects. ‘Wonder’ features close collaborators who understand him both personally and musically, including Hashem on guitar and Bailouni on production. Hawsawi believes in supporting the creative ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, which he sees as full of potential and constantly thriving.
Hamza’s journey began over a decade ago, but his big break came with his victory on X-Factor Arabia in 2015. Known as Saudi Arabia’s voice of soul, he has built a reputation for his humble persona and for creating art that reflects genuine experiences. His authenticity has led to numerous collaborations and endorsements in music, fashion, lifestyle, and events. Notably, he was the first Saudi to perform at the Globe Soccer Awards.
As he continues to break boundaries, here, we talk with Hamza about his musical beginnings, Jeddah’s thriving creative community and his acclaimed new single, ‘Wonder’.
Looking back at your life in music, tell us a little bit about your cultural upbringing and how that impacted your music journey?
I was born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the early ’90s, a city along the coast of the Red Sea. Jeddah is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the kingdom, exposing me to various cultures from Africa, Asia, and the Gulf. This environment influenced my musical tastes, with my earliest memories filled with the music my mother played around the house, notably the songs she sang. My mother, being a teacher of English, instilled in me a love for all forms and languages of music and an appreciation for the human voice as an instrument. I often asked her to sing at random times, and she always did, broadening my musical horizon. This was when I first heard Michael Jackson and Prince, marking the beginning of my musical journey. Fascinated by pop music, my cousin and I would watch Michael Jackson and Prince music videos for hours. The voice, as the first instrument I appreciated, sparked a curiosity in me to explore more music. In my early teens, I discovered R&B and soul music, which felt like finding a treasure. Artists like Boys II Men, Babyface, Marvin Gaye, Joe Thomas, Brian McKnight, and Mariah Carey profoundly shaped my musical knowledge and love, laying the cornerstone of who I am as an artist today.
‘Wonder’ represents a new sonic chapter; can you describe how this track differs from your previous work and what inspired this new direction?
My new song ‘Wonder’ is a significant milestone for me personally and artistically. It features a prominent folk/country approach combined with a modern take on R&B and soul, merging two genres I love. Growing up, I heard a lot of folk-influenced music but had never explored it as an artist. ‘Wonder’ provided that opportunity. The song came to life spontaneously amidst preparations for a new phase in song releases. It was the last song recorded during an intense months-long writing camp in Riyadh and became the first release of a new chapter in my music career. Imagine if Bon Iver and Fridayy made a song together.
The song ‘Wonder’ features a unique blend of emotions and folk influences. What was the creative process like for this track, and how did the collaboration with Bailouni and Hashem influence its final sound?
I wrote and recorded the final vocals for the song at 4 AM after a long writing session, when everyone was supposed to be asleep. Returning to Jeddah, I knew I had to play it for my friend and band member, Hashem Alayoubi. He immediately connected with the song, playing a beautiful melody on his acoustic guitar that perfectly complemented the vocals. We then sent the demo to Bailouni, one of the region’s best music producers and a close friend. He transformed the song into an epic piece, amplifying the feeling conveyed by the vocals and guitar, turning it into a big band musical journey. We knew we had something special.
You’ve mentioned that ‘Wonder’ began with a guitar melody that sparked a new emotional depth in your songwriting. Can you share more about how this particular melody inspired the lyrical content and overall vibe of the song?
The guitar melody in ‘Wonder’ evoked nostalgia and melancholy, sparking a mix of happy and sad emotions. It reminded me of my childhood, bringing back memories in an unexpected way. It highlighted my growth and the changes in my life, allowing me to trace back the defining moments and trials that shaped who I am today. It reminded me of moments of loneliness and solitude. For the first time in my career, it allowed me to write a song for myself before thinking of any other reason to create music.
As someone who takes pride in contributing to the local creative ecosystem, how do you select collaborators, and what importance do you place on working with local and regional talents?
I gravitate towards passion. Growing up as an only child, I spent most of my life doing the things I love most. When I discovered my love for creating music, it felt like recognising and seeing an extended family through that lens. I am drawn to people who share my passion for music, relating to their feelings and compels me to be part of their journey, just as I want them to be part of mine. Early on, this mutual passion blossomed into a desire to serve other creators and co-build towards discovering more about ourselves and our musical journey. The biggest moments in my career were products of collaborations with like-minded individuals, a cycle I want to extend to those who share my passion.
The music video for ‘Wonder’ was shot in Jeddah, your hometown. How did this setting influence the visual narrative, and what message did you hope to convey through the video?
It was important for me to shoot the music video for ‘Wonder’ in my hometown to convey and present the raw emotion I felt when writing the song. I knew the feeling I wanted to capture but wasn’t sure how to deliver it authentically. This is where collaborative power truly shines. When I played the song for my friend KB, he immediately connected with it. He flew from London to Jeddah with his camera and passion, bringing the vision to life. We decided on a short film format rather than a traditional music video. The shoot was long and physically and mentally demanding, but the mutual trust we had in each other paid off. The final video reminded me why I wrote the song in the first place.
How do you see your role in shaping the music scene in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East?
The music scene in Saudi Arabia is thriving, receiving massive support and development with a strong focus on artists and creatives. Initiatives range from scholarship programs to major and independent record labels, festivals, and activations that nurture and showcase Saudi and local talents. It is an exciting time for creatives and musicians to contribute and collaborate toward the kingdom’s vision and record-breaking movement. As a Saudi artist, I feel it is an honour and a duty to strive to be part of this movement, aligning perfectly with my personal and professional pursuit to contribute to the music scene and its artists.
Your music often reflects personal truths and experiences. How do you balance vulnerability and authenticity in your songwriting with the broader appeal of your music?
Music has always been an audible representation of human emotion. I am on a lifelong journey of self-discovery, understanding who I am based on my life experiences. ‘Wonder’ reminded me to allow vulnerability and truth to be a part of my music, drawing real emotions, situations, and experiences from my life and those around me. This always takes me back to the reason I loved music in the first place—the songs I grew up listening to and the songs my mother sang to me. I remember how real those emotions were and how they still give me the same feeling today. Music has always been and remains vulnerable and authentic to me in all its forms and cultural variations. It is only right that I do the same when creating it.
As you continue to evolve as an artist, what are your future aspirations? What’s next for you?
I strive to create more music. My enthusiasm, passion, and love for creating music are only matched by my eagerness to share it with people around me and worldwide through records and stage performances. I am very excited about what I have in store for my audience, both new and long-time fans. I look forward to many regional and international collaborations, expanding my reach to other artists and creatives like myself, and being of service. The journey is not easy, but it is undoubtedly beautiful.