Naada (Lyric Video)

Sudanese singer, oud player and composer Sulaf draws on the rich musical heritage of Sudan — from Nubian-rooted rhythms to devotional and folk traditions — shaping it into a deeply personal, emotionally charged style.

Using the Sufi poetry of her great-grandfather, Sulaf captures loss, identity, and resilience, carrying Sudan’s spirit across borders with haunting power and emotional depth on her debut album ABA. Created in collaboration with French producer Maxime Kosinetz (Imarhan, Tinariwen), the album reflects both artistic exploration and lived experience. What began as a short creative residency in Paris became an unplanned exile following the outbreak of war in Sudan. The album traces that journey, moving through themes of longing, memory and spiritual resilience, while blending oud, voice, electronics and expansive arrangements into a sound that feels both ancient and strikingly modern.

‘Naada’, the album’s first single, is oud-driven and synth-laden, serpentine and tempo-changing, unfolding like a desert flower — albeit one blooming somewhere in outer space.

With ABA, Sulaf emerges as a vital new voice — “a vessel for the songs of the women of Sudan”, as she puts it — creating music that speaks both to deep-rooted tradition and a bold, contemporary sonic future.

VIDEO CREDITS:
Filmed by Elias Borst
Edited by Oran Mullan
Make up by Mélanie Vergnol
Hair by Maryse Kanarellis
Styling by Nesrine Kuku
Jewellery by Kuku Jewelry