From discovering her passion for music at a young age to developing a sound that blends Arabic pop with contemporary influences, Engy Waleed has been steadily carving out her own identity in the music industry. With her latest single, Leh Bas2al 3aleik? (Why am I Still Asking About You?), and an upcoming EP that promises to reveal a more personal side of her artistry, the singer is embracing a new chapter defined by creative exploration, self-expression and a deeper connection with her audience. In an exclusive interview with Enigma Magazine’s Salma Owis, Engy opens up about her musical beginnings, the inspiration behind her latest release, her collaboration with Ahmed Diaa, and what lies ahead as she continues to find her voice as an artist.
Her journey into music began at around ten years old, when she would participate in school talent shows, driven by an early love for singing. By the age of 14, however, her interest had developed into something more serious. She began studying opera and classical singing, discovering an entirely different dimension of music while simultaneously developing a passion for musical theatre. As she grew older, songwriting became a natural extension of that journey.
“I realised that singing wasn’t just about performing; it was also a way to express my feelings and tell my story,” she explains. “I wanted to share those experiences with others and create music they could connect with on a personal level.”
For Engy, that connection is at the heart of what makes music so powerful. She believes that regardless of people’s backgrounds or experiences, a song can offer something universally relatable, bringing listeners together through shared emotions. It is this belief that ultimately encouraged her to pursue music professionally.
Today, she describes her musical identity as Arabic pop with hints of Afro and dance-pop. Growing up listening to influential Arabic pop stars such as Amr Diab and Nancy Ajram, she developed an appreciation for the familiar sounds that continue to shape the region’s musical landscape. Yet, she is equally interested in exploring contemporary influences and finding ways to incorporate them into her own work.
“I love that familiar Arabic sound that people can instantly connect with, and I want to bring that into my own music while continuing to explore new sounds,” she says.
Her musical identity, however, is far from fixed. With every release, she feels increasingly comfortable experimenting and discovering new dimensions of herself. Much of that evolution comes from her personal experiences, which often find their way into her songwriting. Whether navigating heartbreak, loss, grief or moments of happiness, she draws inspiration from the different emotions and perspectives that life brings.
“Music has always been a way for me to process my emotions, especially when it comes to things like heartbreak,” she shares. “As I grow and experience different things in life, they all give me new perspectives and ideas that I can eventually translate into lyrics.”
That personal approach is particularly evident in her latest single, Leh Bas2al 3aleik? (Why am I Still Asking About You?), a track inspired by a breakup and the lingering emotions that can remain long after a relationship has ended. Exploring the familiar experience of wondering about someone who is no longer part of your life, the song captures the curiosity and unresolved feelings that sometimes accompany moving on.
The release also marked an important first for Engy, as it was her first real songwriting experience. “The song is about that feeling of someone still being on your mind, even when you don’t fully understand why or perhaps don’t want to admit it,” she says. “I think we’ve all experienced moments when we find ourselves asking about someone, wondering what they’re doing or whether they ever think about us.”
To bring the track to life, Engy joined forces with Ahmed Diaa, whose musical sensibilities and approach to contemporary Arabic sounds made him a natural creative partner. Already a fan of his work, she felt they shared a similar perspective on music, particularly when it came to balancing emotion with production. Together, they developed a track that combined familiar Arabic influences with a contemporary pop sound, incorporating oriental instrumentation to complement its playful narrative.
“I really wanted to create a fun pop song, and I felt Diaa was the right person to do that with because our musical tastes and creative visions align,” she explains. “We wrote the song together, exchanged ideas and built on each other’s creativity until we found the right direction.”
The decision to make it a duet also added another dimension to the storytelling, allowing both artists to approach the same emotions from different perspectives. Rather than focusing entirely on the sadness of a breakup, they wanted to create something that listeners could enjoy while still recognising the feelings behind it.
“We wanted the song to be relatable but also playful and light, rather than focusing solely on the sad side of a breakup,” Engy says. “I think you can go through something emotional and still look back on it with a sense of humour.”
Beyond the finished track, the collaboration proved equally valuable in shaping her approach to songwriting. Since it was her first real experience translating her own thoughts and emotions into lyrics, working alongside Diaa helped her become more comfortable with the creative process and understand how different ideas could come together to form a complete musical vision. It also encouraged her to explore a more playful side of her artistry, something she hopes to continue developing.
While Leh Bas2al 3aleik? (Why am I Still Asking About You?) represents an important step in her journey, Engy’s upcoming EP is perhaps the project she is most excited about. Having previously released singles and collaborations, she sees the EP as an opportunity to bring together different aspects of her personality and offer listeners a more comprehensive understanding of who she is as an artist. More significantly, it marks the first time she is taking on the songwriting entirely herself.
“I think this EP will be a very important milestone because it will give people a much closer look at who I am as an artist,” she says. “It’s the first time I’m taking on the songwriting entirely myself, which makes the project especially meaningful.”
Musically, the project will explore a more defined sound, introducing elements she has long wanted to incorporate into her work, including guitars and tabla. With a combination of upbeat tracks and slower, more emotional songs, the EP will offer listeners a chance to experience different moods and dimensions of her artistry.
She is particularly looking forward to sharing Hansa Ezay, one of the project’s most personal tracks and the first song she wrote for the EP. Reflecting a specific period in her life, the song holds a special place in her heart, not only because of its meaning but also because of how naturally it represents the music she enjoys creating.
“It’s the kind of music I naturally gravitate towards, and even after listening to it countless times, I still don’t get tired of it,” she reveals.
Being involved in every stage of music-making is equally important for Engy. From developing melodies and writing lyrics to contributing to production, she enjoys having an active role in shaping the creative direction of her releases. Over time, collaborating with different artists has also given her greater confidence in expressing her ideas and understanding the technical and creative aspects of the process.
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue pushing her musical boundaries, particularly by experimenting with genres such as house and R&B while keeping her Arabic identity at the centre of her sound. She also hopes to revisit the older Arabic pop influences she grew up with, which continue to hold a special place in her musical taste. When it comes to dream collaborations, one name immediately comes to mind: Tamer Hosny.
“I grew up listening to his songs, so collaborating with someone whose music has been part of my life for so long would be an incredible experience and opportunity,” she says.
Beyond the music itself, Engy is equally focused on building a stronger relationship with her audience. She wants listeners to understand not only the songs but also the stories and emotions behind them, creating a connection that extends beyond individual releases. While performing on bigger stages and reaching wider audiences remain important ambitions, she measures success through something much more personal.
“For me, success is when a song becomes more than just something people listen to. It’s when someone hears my music and feels understood, or when a song becomes part of a moment in their life,” she reflects.
Ultimately, she hopes to create music that stays with people, becoming part of their memories and experiences long after its release. As she steps into this next chapter, Engy is focused on discovering new sounds, telling more of her own stories and growing into an artist whose music feels both authentic and deeply personal.
“I hope people remember that my music was real and genuine, and that I truly enjoyed creating it and loved every part of the journey,” she concludes. “I hope that comes through in the music and gives people a sense of the passion and love that went into bringing it to life.”