Saria Al Sawas: The First Lady of Syrian Shaabi

Saria Al Sawas is one of Syria's most successful contemporary singers, whose influence spread not only throughout Syria, but also to neighbouring Iraq and across the Gulf. Al Sawas was born in 1981 in Homs, western Syria, with a musical style heavily influenced by Syrian folk. She became popular around the same time as the 2000s pop divas, but occupied a completely different lane from the Nancy/Haifa adjacent's. Al Sawas' music wasn't pop, it was shaabi. She got her start singing at weddings and parties, eventually becoming a pillar of the Syrian shaabi and dabke scene. Many of her most popular videos show her singing, dancing and joining in the dabke alongside partygoers.

Al Sawas was doing something rarely seen at the time. She was occupying a predominantly male genre while also pushing the boundaries of taboo. Her songs played with themes of love and intimacy, with lyrics including, "Place your lips on mine and let all hell break loose", while her performances in nightclub culture also proved controversial. But, as with many Arab female artists who push against taboo, it only made her all the more popular.

Al Sawas created a female-led culture. With the rise of cabaret clubs and women singing at parties, she paved the way for fellow shaabi artists occupying the same space, such as Sara Al Zakaria and her sister, Reem Al Sawas.

Saria Al Sawas is still making waves across pop culture. In the new 2026 Arab drama Bi Khams Arwah, the character Samaher is thought to be based on Al Sawas. These rumours were further fuelled when she released the song Wajeh El Goumar for the TV series. For many, Saria Al Sawas' music holds a deep sense of early-2000s nostalgia. She continues to perform to this day, with shows across Dubai, Germany and the UK.

Words by @smizzowrites