Zaid Khaled & Ahmed Diaa Contrast Shami Pop With ‘Sahar El Layali’ EP

Cairo’s independent music scene has a habit of birthing collaborations, but the pairing of Jordanian singer-songwriter, Zaid Khaled, and Syrian producer, Ahmed Diaa, feels an inevitability. Their debut collaborative EP, Sahar el Layali, is an exercise in emotional tension - the kind that exists between a crowded dancefloor and the lonely walk home after the lights go out.

Released via Gamma Records, the five-track project was recorded in Egypt's capital but carries the distinct trademarks of the Shami sound that informs both artists' identities. While the rollout began in November with ‘Khatem’ and ‘Ala Kefak’, followed by the brooding ‘Asmar’, the full EP shows a deeper musical architecture when taken as a whole.

The opener, ‘Khatem’, sets the tone with a heavy, metallic take on Shami percussion. Diaa creates a rhythmic landscape that channels the energy of a Shami wedding hall, but Zaid Khaled’s vocals complicate the mood - they’re detached yet melodic, as he injects a darker emotional undertone into what is a dance-ready track. This transitions into ‘Ala Kefak’, which blends lush-sounding synths with a steady, driving pulse, as Diaa crafts a nostalgic yet modern atmosphere that reminds listeners of the EP’s Shami roots as Khaled delivers yearning hooks. ‘

Dahab o Almas’ finds a middle ground between the club and the bedroom, layering shimmering synths over a heavy bassline. The production creates an airy atmosphere that allows Khaled’s more vulnerable vocals to take centre stage, balancing a high-energy pulse with a reflective depth. The title track, ‘Sahar el Layali’, serves as a focal point by introducing the guest vocals of Marianne Layousse to contrast Khaled’s grittier delivery. Diaa softens the production with ethereal textures and a fluid rhythm, moving away from the industrial edge of earlier tracks. The EP closes with ‘Asmar’, trading high-octane energy for a slower, brooding atmosphere. Diaa strips back the production to a heavy, grounded rhythm that anchors Khaled’s most internal songwriting on the project, capturing the quiet, lingering aftermath of nighttime celebration. 

Ultimately, the chemistry of the release lies in this constant contrast: Zaid Khaled brings melodic sensibilities that feel both intimate and expansive, while Ahmed Diaa anchors the project in a robust Shami production style that feels nostalgic yet fit for modern pop standards.