Rabat’s biggest festival is starting with a name you won’t want to miss.
Fez – The 20th edition of the legendary Mawazine festival is pulling out all the stops for its milestone celebration, and it starts with a bang.
On June 20, the opening night will be headlined by none other than Ruby, Egypt’s genre-defying star whose magnetic presence has captivated Arab audiences for over two decades.
This will mark her first-ever performance at Mawazine, and the stage is set for something unforgettable.
The 2025 edition of Mawazine pays tribute to the groundbreaking women who have redefined Arabic music.
Ruby, born Rania Hussein Mohammed Tawfik, is one of those rare figures whose influence is equal parts voice, vision, and cultural boldness.
Ruby’s story begins in the early 2000s with the now-iconic track “Enta Aref Leih”. The song, and especially its video, shattered conventions.
Her expressive dance, fearless fashion, and unwavering gaze were as much a statement as they were a performance, introducing the Arab world to a new kind of pop femininity: unapologetic, magnetic, and modern.
Her second hit, “Leih Beydary Keda”, featured her cycling in a bodysuit to a traditional oriental melody, an image that became instantly iconic and unapologetically disruptive in a region still negotiating its relationship with female visibility in pop culture.
She wasn’t just pushing buttons; she was shifting paradigms.
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But Ruby’s artistry extends far beyond the music video screen. As an actress, she’s carved out a compelling body of work that blends vulnerability and strength.
With roles in films like “Sabaa Warakat Kotshina” (2004) and “El Wa’d” (2008), and a standout performance in the hit series “Segn El Nesa” (2014), she’s earned both audience devotion and critical acclaim.
In 2010, she won the prestigious Golden Pyramid Award at the Cairo International Film Festival, securing her place among the region’s most respected performers.
After a quieter phase, Ruby re-emerged with bold new music: “Alby Plastic” and “Hetta Tanya” in 2021, followed by “Namet Nenna” in 2022. She toured internationally in 2024, performing to packed audiences in Toronto and New York, and lent her voice to the theme song of the widely watched Ramadan series “One Wife Is Not Enough”.
Now, it’s Rabat’s turn. On June 20 at the Nahda stage, Ruby will deliver a performance fusing sensual choreography, cult classics, and fresh new sounds. It will be more than a concert, it will be a cultural moment.
One that reflects the vibrancy of the modern Arab woman: bold, complex, and brilliantly multifaceted.
The diva of Cairo is not just coming to sing, she’s coming to leave a mark.
Mawazine: Rhythms of the World will run from June 20 to 28, 2025, turning Rabat into a global stage for music, culture, and celebration.
