We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nadwa Rifai a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nadwa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

My name is Nadwa Rifai. I am a Lebanese American artist, TV host, founder, and lead singer of a New York City-based world music band. The style of music that I perform falls under the genre of “world music.” It is a blend of western music, such as jazz, bossa nova, and flamenco, with classical and contemporary Arabic music. My goal with music is to create a cross-cultural dialogue of musical styles from around the world.

My journey started in Beirut, where I got a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts with a concentration in Acting for Theater, TV, and Film from the Fine Arts Institute at Lebanese University. During those four years, I had a comprehensive arts education in theater performance, body expression, voice, mime, dance, and song, as well as cinematic directing, composition, and stage design.

In 2005, and while living in Boston, I collaborated musically with the French artist Jacques Pardo. Together we co-wrote the French-Arabic duet “L’amour en Banlieue,” which won the Global Rhythm Magazine/Sonic Bids award under the category of World Music in August 2006 and was featured on 120,000 CDs distributed worldwide. The song went on to win the 2007 US Independent Music Popular Vote Award.

My journey hasn’t been smooth. Being an immigrant and an independent artist is not easy to juggle, not to mention living in a hectic city like New York, with all the stress and pressure accompanying living there. However, I am grateful and feel terrific about where I am today.

Earning my master’s degree, cum laude in International Relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University required devotion to my schoolwork.

When the pandemic hit NY, it was the saddest time of my life. Every aspect of the social life in NY came to an abrupt stop. No more music, no more Broadway shows, no more socializing. For the first time in my life, I couldn’t see NY with loving eyes the way I always did. It was a period in my life that I will never forget. We are still picking up the pieces of our lives as New Yorkers, and I look forward to the day when the consequences of the pandemic will be over.

My goal is to really integrate and blend cultures with my music. I am not a “traditional” vocalist. Rather than interpreting songs in a given genre (jazz standards, Arabic traditional songs, etc.), I re-create the music of the songs that I perform by applying a variety of styles. For example, I have mixed Lebanese songs with jazz music and even recorded that professionally in studios. I’ve infused Brazilian Bossa Nova with Arabic. I’ve mixed Russian with Middle Eastern music. I’ve been privileged to perform music across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. This is something I enjoy and feels meaningful to me. Art is a message, a message of love, hope, and inclusivity. I am happiest when I can bring cultures together—musically speaking.

In addition, having studied acting and performed on stage has given me the tools to bring a more physical and dramatic presence to my musical expression. For me, the stage is my sanctuary, a place where I feel the most content, creative and happy. This is where I find myself. It is not just a business for me. It is a part of my existence. This is also why I enjoyed hosting two television shows; Cinema Time and Cine magazine.

I have also recently fulfilled a longtime dream by launching my fragrance: Nadwa, Scent of Lebanon. This scent captures my journey and passion as an artist. It is available for purchase online.

On a personal level, there are people in my life that feel like the oxygen that I breathe. They are so dear to my heart, and I get my inspiration from them in any creative endeavor I get into.

They are my close network, and at times I consult with them before taking a final decision.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Nadwa Rifai. I am a Lebanese American artist, TV host, founder, and lead singer of a New York City-based world music band. The style of music that I perform falls under the genre of “world music.” It is a blend of western music, such as jazz, bossa nova, and flamenco, with classical and contemporary Arabic music. My goal with music is to create a cross-cultural dialogue of musical styles from around the world.

My journey started in Beirut, where I got a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts with a concentration in Acting for Theater, TV, and Film from the Fine Arts Institute at Lebanese University. During those four years, I had a comprehensive arts education in theater performance, body expression, voice, mime, dance, and song, as well as cinematic directing, composition, and stage design.

In 2005, and while living in Boston, I collaborated musically with the French artist Jacques Pardo. Together we co-wrote the French-Arabic duet “L’amour en Banlieue,” which won the Global Rhythm Magazine/Sonic Bids award under the category of World Music in August 2006 and was featured on 120,000 CDs distributed worldwide. The song went on to win the 2007 US Independent Music Popular Vote Award.

My journey hasn’t been smooth. Being an immigrant and an independent artist is not easy to juggle, not to mention living in a hectic city like New York, with all the stress and pressure accompanying living there. However, I am grateful and feel terrific about where I am today.

Earning my master’s degree, cum laude in International Relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University required devotion to my schoolwork.

When the pandemic hit NY, it was the saddest time of my life. Every aspect of the social life in NY came to an abrupt stop. No more music, no more Broadway shows, no more socializing. For the first time in my life, I couldn’t see NY with loving eyes the way I always did. It was a period in my life that I will never forget. We are still picking up the pieces of our lives as New Yorkers, and I look forward to the day when the consequences of the pandemic will be over.

My goal is to really integrate and blend cultures with my music. I am not a “traditional” vocalist. Rather than interpreting songs in a given genre (jazz standards, Arabic traditional songs, etc.), I re-create the music of the songs that I perform by applying a variety of styles. For example, I have mixed Lebanese songs with jazz music and even recorded that professionally in studios. I’ve infused Brazilian Bossa Nova with Arabic. I’ve mixed Russian with Middle Eastern music. I’ve been privileged to perform music across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. This is something I enjoy and feels meaningful to me. Art is a message, a message of love, hope, and inclusivity. I am happiest when I can bring cultures together—musically speaking.

In addition, having studied acting and performed on stage has given me the tools to bring a more physical and dramatic presence to my musical expression. For me, the stage is my sanctuary, a place where I feel the most content, creative and happy. This is where I find myself. It is not just a business for me. It is a part of my existence. This is also why I enjoyed hosting two television shows; Cinema Time and Cine magazine.

I have also recently fulfilled a longtime dream by launching my fragrance: Nadwa, Scent of Lebanon. This scent captures my journey and passion as an artist. It is available for purchase online.

On a personal level, there are people in my life that feel like the oxygen that I breathe. They are so dear to my heart, and I get my inspiration from them in any creative endeavor I get into.

They are my close network, and at times I consult with them before taking a final decision.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

My name is Nadwa Rifai. I am a Lebanese American artist, TV host, founder, and lead singer of a New York City-based world music band. The style of music that I perform falls under the genre of “world music.” It is a blend of western music, such as jazz, bossa nova, and flamenco, with classical and contemporary Arabic music. My goal with music is to create a cross-cultural dialogue of musical styles from around the world.

My journey started in Beirut, where I got a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts with a concentration in Acting for Theater, TV, and Film from the Fine Arts Institute at Lebanese University. During those four years, I had a comprehensive arts education in theater performance, body expression, voice, mime, dance, and song, as well as cinematic directing, composition, and stage design.

In 2005, and while living in Boston, I collaborated musically with the French artist Jacques Pardo. Together we co-wrote the French-Arabic duet “L’amour en Banlieue,” which won the Global Rhythm Magazine/Sonic Bids award under the category of World Music in August 2006 and was featured on 120,000 CDs distributed worldwide. The song went on to win the 2007 US Independent Music Popular Vote Award.

My journey hasn’t been smooth. Being an immigrant and an independent artist is not easy to juggle, not to mention living in a hectic city like New York, with all the stress and pressure accompanying living there. However, I am grateful and feel terrific about where I am today.

Earning my master’s degree, cum laude in International Relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University required devotion to my schoolwork.

When the pandemic hit NY, it was the saddest time of my life. Every aspect of the social life in NY came to an abrupt stop. No more music, no more Broadway shows, no more socializing. For the first time in my life, I couldn’t see NY with loving eyes the way I always did. It was a period in my life that I will never forget. We are still picking up the pieces of our lives as New Yorkers, and I look forward to the day when the consequences of the pandemic will be over.

My goal is to really integrate and blend cultures with my music. I am not a “traditional” vocalist. Rather than interpreting songs in a given genre (jazz standards, Arabic traditional songs, etc.), I re-create the music of the songs that I perform by applying a variety of styles. For example, I have mixed Lebanese songs with jazz music and even recorded that professionally in studios. I’ve infused Brazilian Bossa Nova with Arabic. I’ve mixed Russian with Middle Eastern music. I’ve been privileged to perform music across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. This is something I enjoy and feels meaningful to me. Art is a message, a message of love, hope, and inclusivity. I am happiest when I can bring cultures together—musically speaking.

In addition, having studied acting and performed on stage has given me the tools to bring a more physical and dramatic presence to my musical expression. For me, the stage is my sanctuary, a place where I feel the most content, creative and happy. This is where I find myself. It is not just a business for me. It is a part of my existence. This is also why I enjoyed hosting two television shows; Cinema Time and Cine magazine.

I have also recently fulfilled a longtime dream by launching my fragrance: Nadwa, Scent of Lebanon. This scent captures my journey and passion as an artist. It is available for purchase online.

On a personal level, there are people in my life that feel like the oxygen that I breathe. They are so dear to my heart, and I get my inspiration from them in any creative endeavor I get into.

They are my close network, and at times I consult with them before taking a final decision.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

My name is Nadwa Rifai. I am a Lebanese American artist, TV host, founder, and lead singer of a New York City-based world music band. The style of music that I perform falls under the genre of “world music.” It is a blend of western music, such as jazz, bossa nova, and flamenco, with classical and contemporary Arabic music. My goal with music is to create a cross-cultural dialogue of musical styles from around the world.

My journey started in Beirut, where I got a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts with a concentration in Acting for Theater, TV, and Film from the Fine Arts Institute at Lebanese University. During those four years, I had a comprehensive arts education in theater performance, body expression, voice, mime, dance, and song, as well as cinematic directing, composition, and stage design.

In 2005, and while living in Boston, I collaborated musically with the French artist Jacques Pardo. Together we co-wrote the French-Arabic duet “L’amour en Banlieue,” which won the Global Rhythm Magazine/Sonic Bids award under the category of World Music in August 2006 and was featured on 120,000 CDs distributed worldwide. The song went on to win the 2007 US Independent Music Popular Vote Award.

My journey hasn’t been smooth. Being an immigrant and an independent artist is not easy to juggle, not to mention living in a hectic city like New York, with all the stress and pressure accompanying living there. However, I am grateful and feel terrific about where I am today.

Earning my master’s degree, cum laude in International Relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University required devotion to my schoolwork.

When the pandemic hit NY, it was the saddest time of my life. Every aspect of the social life in NY came to an abrupt stop. No more music, no more Broadway shows, no more socializing. For the first time in my life, I couldn’t see NY with loving eyes the way I always did. It was a period in my life that I will never forget. We are still picking up the pieces of our lives as New Yorkers, and I look forward to the day when the consequences of the pandemic will be over.

My goal is to really integrate and blend cultures with my music. I am not a “traditional” vocalist. Rather than interpreting songs in a given genre (jazz standards, Arabic traditional songs, etc.), I re-create the music of the songs that I perform by applying a variety of styles. For example, I have mixed Lebanese songs with jazz music and even recorded that professionally in studios. I’ve infused Brazilian Bossa Nova with Arabic. I’ve mixed Russian with Middle Eastern music. I’ve been privileged to perform music across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. This is something I enjoy and feels meaningful to me. Art is a message, a message of love, hope, and inclusivity. I am happiest when I can bring cultures together—musically speaking.

In addition, having studied acting and performed on stage has given me the tools to bring a more physical and dramatic presence to my musical expression. For me, the stage is my sanctuary, a place where I feel the most content, creative and happy. This is where I find myself. It is not just a business for me. It is a part of my existence. This is also why I enjoyed hosting two television shows; Cinema Time and Cine magazine.

I have also recently fulfilled a longtime dream by launching my fragrance: Nadwa, Scent of Lebanon. This scent captures my journey and passion as an artist. It is available for purchase online.

On a personal level, there are people in my life that feel like the oxygen that I breathe. They are so dear to my heart, and I get my inspiration from them in any creative endeavor I get into.

They are my close network, and at times I consult with them before taking a final decision.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nadwarifai.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nadwamusic
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/nadwarifai www.facebook.com/nadwa
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nadwa
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/phoenicianmusic
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@nadwamusic