In Omdurman, music is often part of the neighbourhood itself. It can emerge from gatherings, celebrations and streets, carrying the sounds and experiences of a young generation. For 28-year-old Sudanese musician Amr Elrayah, better known as Zaery, this environment became the beginning of a musical journey that started in 2012 and gradually moved from local performances to stages outside Sudan.
Born on 1 October 1998 in Omdurman, I discovered music while I was still in secondary school. At the time, I was living in Al Abbasiya, Omdurman where I became interested in zanig music, a youth-oriented form of popular music that was becoming an important part of the local musical scene.
Finding a Voice in Zanig Music
My early interest in zanig introduced me to artists and musicians who influenced the direction of the scene. Among the names I encountered were Ayman Al Rubo, Ibrahim Yousif “Nigeri”, Bastawy and Osama Flati, alongside other musicians and performers.
My first performance came on 1 January 2014, during a simple New Year’s event in Omdurman. For me, the performance was less about establishing a career and more about overcoming the fear of standing in front of an audience.
The following years brought larger opportunities. As zanig music increasingly appeared on major stages, I began performing in different settings and developing my own approach to the music.
On 7 January 2016, I performed in Port Sudan. Being invited to perform outside Khartoum became an important moment in my development, showing me that the music I had encountered in Omdurman’s neighbourhoods could connect with audiences elsewhere in Sudan.
From Local Stages to a Wider Musical World
As my performances increased, I also began paying greater attention to how my work was presented. I invested in professional photography and visual material around my performances, recognising the growing role of social media in how young artists communicate with audiences.
My music also began moving beyond a single sound. In 2019, I recorded an African track at Hajaj Studio in Bant and produced a music video with the band.
In 2020, I collaborated with late Noon Al Ankabota on “Kassar Samah”, bringing together elements of zanig and daluka, a genre of Sudanese music anchored by the daluka drum.
A year later, my collaboration with Sudanese singer WD Aljack became another important stage in my career. The two artists subsequently became part of an Arab tour organised by Alpha, performing for youth audiences in Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Sudan in 2021.
Riyadh and Reimagining Zanig
In June 2022, I moved to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The change of environment gave him an opportunity to explore musical styles beyond the zanig scene in which I had started.
I joined the Sudanese band Sequence, which performed Western music and reggae at events and festivals in Saudi Arabia. I also appeared on Rotana Studios in Riyadh through the SBC programme “Ala Al-Waad” with Abdel Fattah El Ghreeny.
These experiences broadened my understanding of music while also bringing me back to a question that had followed me since my early years: what could zanig become if it were developed for a wider audience?
Rather than leaving the genre behind, I began thinking about how its identity could be preserved while allowing it to evolve. My interest became increasingly focused on creating a modern form of zanig that could retain its Sudanese character while communicating with listeners beyond Sudan.
Rasta and What Comes Next
On 2 February 2026, I released Rasta, an instrumental EP that also served as a tribute to Sudanese musician Ayman Al Rubo and my contribution to zanig music.
For me, Rasta represents more than an individual release. It is connected to my wider interest in documenting and developing zanig music for a new generation. I hope to build a modern musical archive that can preserve the sound while allowing future artists to interpret it in new ways.
My current work continues in this direction. Together with Thorium Studios, and rapper Lora and music producer Ninja249, I’m working on a larger project, currently titled Nasseb, with a music video planned for each song. Another collaboration with Sudanese rapper AOA is expected in November 2026.
Although my journey began in Al Abbasiya, my talent and ambitions now extend beyond one neighbourhood or even one country. My work reflects an ongoing attempt to understand where zanig music came from, what it means to a younger generation, and what it might become in the future.
For him, taking Sudanese music to a wider audience does not necessarily mean leaving its roots behind. It can also mean carrying those roots somewhere new.
For more information on Zaery, see his social media: Instagram @zaerymusic, TikTok @zaerymusic, Snapchat @zaeryofficial and Facebook facebook.com.
Amr Elrayah (Zaery) is a 28-year-old Sudanese music artist and organ player based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He began his musical journey in 2012 and has developed his work around zanig music and contemporary Sudanese youth culture. He completed his primary and secondary education at the British Institute and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Sudan International University in Sudan , His interests include music production, performance, African music and exploring new approaches to Sudanese music. He also enjoys musical collaborations and discovering new sounds.
