Khaleeji Music on Vinyl: A Beginner's Guide to the Sound of the Gulf

Khaleeji (خليجي) simply means "of the Gulf". It is the name for the popular music of the Arabian Gulf – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman – and today it is loved far beyond the region.

For many listeners outside the Gulf, Arabic music means Cairo and Beirut. But Khaleeji has a sound of its own, shaped by centuries of seafaring and trade. Bedouin poetry sits alongside rhythms carried across the Indian Ocean from East Africa, India and Persia, and the oud is almost always at the centre. The result is music that is warm, rhythmic and deeply poetic.

The voices to know

Mohammed Abdo – "The Artist of the Arabs"

No Khaleeji collection is complete without Mohammed Abdo (محمد عبده), the Saudi singer known as Fannan Al Arab. His career spans more than five decades, and he did more than anyone to carry Gulf song to audiences across the Arab world. Start with El Hawa El Ghayeb, then Ramad Al Masabeeh and Woodoh.

Abdul Majeed Abdullah

One of Saudi Arabia's most popular romantic singers. Raheeb, Kellama and Ya Tayeb El Galb show his smooth, polished style.

Rashed Al Majid

The Bahraini-born star nicknamed the "Sindbad of Arabic Song". Try With Gulf Stars or Haly.

The voices of Kuwait

Kuwait has given Khaleeji many of its great singers: Abdullah Al Ruwaished (Best Of), the deep-voiced Abdul Karim Abdul Qader (Jamr Al Wadaa), the much-loved Nawal Al Kuwaitia (see all her records) and the upbeat Nabeel Shuail (Best Of).

Modern stars from the UAE

For a more contemporary Khaleeji pop sound, start with Ahlam (Best Of) and Hussain Al Jassmi (Bawaddak).

Not sure where to begin?

A compilation is an easy first step. Nojoom Al Khaleej (Stars of the Gulf) gathers songs from several Gulf singers on one record, so you can discover which voices you like best before building your collection.

Explore the full Khaleeji vinyl collection, or see what is in stock right now. We ship worldwide from the UAE.