From Dentistry to DJing: The Inspiring Journey of Saudi Arabia’s First Female DJ, Cosmicat

Rising from the underground, Cosmicat is a DJ and producer from Saudi Arabia whose journey to musical prominence is as inspiring as it is unique. Growing up in a place where music was often frowned upon, Cosmicat nurtured a strong passion for music. She bought her first gear online and began a self-learning journey in her bedroom, mixing and composing music from scratch. Driven by a natural understanding of musical flow and online sound design resources, she quickly honed her skills.

Initially performing at underground events, Cosmicat's talent soon led to invitations to play across the region. The recent cultural shifts in Saudi Arabia provided her with a significant platform: MDLBEAST's SOUNDSTORM, the largest music, arts, and culture festival in the Middle East. Sharing the stage with dance music giants such as Steve Aoki, R3HAB, David Guetta, and Martin Garrix, as well as her personal favorites Solomun, Peggy Gou, and Jamie Jones, Cosmicat was crowned "Saudi Arabia's leading female DJ." Her melodic and bold style has won over fans and critics alike.

As anticipation builds for the upcoming festival, which will blend fashion, music, culture, food, and celebrities, we caught up with Cosmicat. As the first female DJ to emerge from the Kingdom, she is set to perform a special set at Hai Vogue. Here are five fascinating facts about the groundbreaking artist:

1. From Dentistry to DJing: Known offstage as Nouf Sufyani, Cosmicat holds a Bachelor’s degree in dental and oral surgery. Until a few years ago, she balanced her dental career in Jeddah with her passion for music, eventually gaining recognition from MBC, the Middle East’s largest TV network.
2. A Serendipitous Spark: Cosmicat’s love for music began unexpectedly at a dentistry conference in Dubai in 2014, where she discovered a house track that profoundly impacted her. This moment ignited her journey into the world of music.
3. Inspirational Women: Cosmicat looks up to several influential women, including Russian techno DJ Nina Kraviz, who also transitioned from dentistry to music. Other idols include jazz singer Loulwa al Sharief, DJ biirdperson, and film industry figures Summer Shesha and Sara Taibah.
4. Breaking New Ground: As Saudi Arabia’s first female DJ, Cosmicat started performing for the Kingdom’s underground music scene in 2018. Her big break came with MDLBEAST's inaugural festival Soundstorm in 2019.
5. Musical Achievements: Cosmicat’s musical prowess is evident in her popular tracks. In 2020, she released her debut single "Dilemma" in collaboration with French producer Yann Dulché. Other notable songs include “Toxic Romance,” “Mashawear,” “Yalla,” and “Ascension.”

Cosmicat’s rise in the music world is a testament to her talent, determination, and the transformative power of music.

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