Swedish-Iraqi rapper Nayomi on shattering stereotypes and redefining Arab women in music

“Coming from a multicultural background, and moving between languages and cultures, it feels like I’ve always been searching for who I am and where I fit in,” begins Swedish-Iraqi rapper Nayomi.

“But at the end of the day, I think the worst thing is to be fit into just one box,” she continues.

For many musicians, Nayomi's words resonate because they, too, are trying to make it in the music scene while fighting against labels and stereotypes that hold back their creativity.

Take Palestinian pop star Kokym, for example, who previously told The New Arab: “I’m trying to get out of the box and show you different aspects of Palestinian art and how it shouldn't always be misery.”

Similarly, Cairo-born multi-instrumentalist Ash shared with The New Arab: “I got put in this box – the kind of music that I have to make. Now, does every track I make have to sound exactly like that?”

This determination to break away from norms has helped their music shine, and for Nayomi, the 17,000+ followers she’s gained on Instagram speak volumes.

Known for exploring themes like heartbreak, love, identity, and ego in her music, Nayomi is making a name for herself as an independent artist who blends Arabic, English, and Swedish in her tracks.

“At the core, my songs are about emotions, both the light and the heavy ones. I want people to feel seen when they listen,” Nayomi tells The New Arab. 

Notable releases

Among Nayomi’s most recognised tracks is Wuhda Bel Million, which translates to ‘one in a million’ in English.

“Wuhda Bel Million is playful and confident. It’s about being ‘one in a million’, not in an arrogant way, but as a celebration of owning who you are and being unapologetic about it,” she says.

Meanwhile, Iraq Cypher, she says, is one of her most personal works. The track — produced by Iraqi producer USFOXX and brought together by Saudi executive producer Big Hass — features Nayomi along with eight of Iraq's top rappers, including Kira The Blurryface, Armando, Disser, KC Hamada, AlRonG, Genesis, Odd Khalid, and El Seen.

“Iraq Cypher reflected my long journey with music and life. It touched on some of the challenges I’ve faced. One of the lines was: A doctor asked me, ‘Do you see colours?’ I told him, ‘I only see green.’

“People liked that line. It came from a real experience – I’d been to the eye doctor two days earlier because I had an issue with my retina. I was drawing from life and pouring it into the track. I’m proud of that one.”

Following the release of Iraq Cypher, Nayomi then dropped Eih El Kalam? (What's this talk?), as a direct response to the criticism she faced over her rap bars in the track.

“Eih El Kalam? was inspired by what you could call a ‘diss’ aimed at me after Iraq Cypher. It motivated me and gave me the energy to respond in my own way. It was raw and explosive, and bringing Moroccan-Egyptian rapper Perrie in gave the track even more power. I’m glad we created that one together,” she shares. 

Another standout moment in Nayomi's career came with OMG, a track that was written during an unexpected burst of creativity.

“OMG was written almost by accident – in the best way. I improvised most of it. At the time, I was transitioning from writing in Swedish to Arabic and wasn’t sure how strong my Arabic was, but I surprised myself. It taught me not to overthink and to just go for it. I’m really happy with how it turned out.”

The song reached a wider audience when it was featured in Season 3 of Dubai Bling, a bilingual reality show about millionaires in Dubai — an unexpected turn of events, leading Nayomi to write on Instagram, “They used to make fun of my accent, now Iraqi rap is on Netflix.”

Reflecting on her debut feature in Dubai Bling, Nayomi says, “Seeing Iraqi rap on Netflix felt surreal. People still write to me about it. It didn’t feel like a win just for me — it felt like a win for all Iraqi and Arab artists who have been told they’re too different to succeed.”

She continues, “I grew up around other Arabs, and for some reason, I was bullied for my accent. When I started rapping in Arabic, I thought I had to use a Syrian accent because it might be easier for people to understand. But eventually, I had to be honest with myself – I’m more comfortable in my own accent. And when I embraced that, I realised what I thought was a weakness was a strength.

“It was definitely a win, especially for Arab women. Representation matters. Every time one of us takes up space in the industry, it opens the door a little wider for the next generation.”

Redefining what it means to be an Iraqi woman

To date, some fans have called Nayomi an “Iraqi baddie” and compared her "female boss energy" to Trinidadian rapper and singer-songwriter Nicki Minaj. 

At the same time, Nayomi has faced criticism for not fitting the 'typical stereotype' of an Iraqi woman, but as she puts it, identity can’t be confined to just one image.

“Being an Iraqi woman isn’t one thing – it’s many things. We carry the strength of generations before us, but we’re also creating our own path,” she says.

“Breaking this stereotype isn’t about rejecting our roots – it’s about honouring them and refusing to shrink ourselves to fit someone else’s idea of what an Iraqi woman should be.”

Advice to aspiring artists: ‘Don’t wait’

Looking ahead, Nayomi hints at several exciting collaborations in the works, though she isn’t sharing details just yet.

In the meantime, she offers direct advice to emerging artists who are trying to make their way in the music scene.

“Don’t wait for anyone. I learned this the hard way. Don’t wait for people, don’t wait for labels – just don’t wait. Waiting only wastes your time,” she says.

“If there’s no stage for you, build your own. You have to believe in your vision, even when no one else sees it. And your difference is your power. Don’t try to blend in," she adds.

"There’s no one else out there like you, and you’re needed. Be truthful with yourself and in your music, and that truth will come through. It will be heard.”

Zainab Mehdi is The New Arab's Associate Editor and researcher specialising in governance, development, and conflict in the Middle East and North Africa region 

Follow her on Instagram: @zaiamehdi_/@zainabmehdiwrites_