Cosmicat On Her Musical Journey, Spirituality, and Why She Doesn’t Like Being Called The First Female DJ in Saudi

Starring in Coach’s new Ramadan campaign, the KSA-based hitmaker is taking time out for herself throughout the Holy Month

DJ Cosmicat is looking forward to the Holy Month. The Saudi-based DJ and music producer – whose real name is Nouf Sufyani – might have an electrifying presence on stage but she’s always seeking ways to recentre her energy. “That’s the beauty of Ramadan,” she says in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. “It’s a time for me to go inwards and I just try to connect with what’s really, really important.”

As one of the most prominent female DJs in the region, Cosmicat’s career has taken an unconventional path, made up of an abundance of boundary-breaking achievements. 

Cosmicat is igniting a spark within the Saudi scene and inspiring others to follow in her footsteps. She credits a distinguished roster of female Arab musical talent who inspire and motivate her to be committed to her craft. 

“I found inspiration in other Middle Eastern women who have done this as a career, like Nicole Moudaber and a few others who were close enough to the image that I wanted to be. There’s a lot of really amazing women on the scene,” she says.

When performing, she says it’s the magnetic, unifying presence of music that surpasses any challenge or obstacle she may encounter. “When we dance and celebrate together, we’re all just children. We’re all listening to our inner child and just expressing happiness in unity,” she says.

It’s this ethos of unity that she values most about Ramadan, as well as what drew her to being part of Coach’s new campaign for the Holy Month. Bazaar Arabia chats to DJ Cosmicat about her musical journey, spirituality, and what lies ahead for her in 2024. 

Tell us about your journey to becoming a DJ. When did you decide to embark on this path and was it something you always aspired to? 

I’ve honestly always loved music, but I never really had music as a career in mind. I actually started off doing something very different. I’m in the healthcare industry; I’m a dentist by profession, and during the years that I started working in a private practice, I also had music as a hobby on the side. Over time, this hobby started to take over my life until I decided to transition into a full-time music career.

Growing up, did you always have a special connection with music? 

Yes, I used to collect cassettes growing up and I liked recording music videos on VCR cameras. So I was quite the collector from a very young age. But I was always looking for ways to make music, it wasn’t always about DJing. As I got older, I started writing my own version of songs and then I attempted to learn how to produce music on the computer.

So as a DJ, you’re basically self-taught?

Yes, I literally learned everything just by experimenting and researching online and then applying it at home. As time went on, I suddenly had a little start-up, at-home studio, and this is actually where my first few records came out. 

I had an EP called Dilemma that was the first thing I ever released, and it’s so funny to think back on the way that I produced it – it was in the middle of the pandemic, I had small speakers on the floor and a barely functional laptop to begin with. It was a miracle but I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

How would you describe your sound?

I’m mostly in the electronic realm. I make records that range from deep house to melodic house, melodic techno, and maybe some experimental stuff on the side. I really love things that are very melodic. I love the type of music that you can sing along to with vocals everywhere, and meaningful messages here and there. 

You’ve performed at some of the biggest festivals in the world. What do you love most about being on stage and performing?

Just travelling and performing music in different parts of the world. It has really opened my eyes to the similarities we have as humans overall. Regardless of our differences, when we dance and celebrate together, we’re all just children. We’re all listening to our inner child and just expressing happiness in unity. That has been really lovely. 

In terms of festivals I’d say my favourite one is Balad Beast because it’s in Jeddah, my home town – and my heart is always at home.

Are there any stages that you would still love to perform on?

I don’t really think about it that way. I don’t put stages or special venues as a goal for me to perform at. Rather, I’ll think about the people that I can actually reach with my music. I wish for my music to have the furthest possible impact that it can have. Because music goes beyond the barriers of place, time, and distance. 

You’ve spoken about music being a unifying force that everyone can connect with. On this topic, Coach’s new Ramadan campaign is all about bringing people together and celebrates different talents and traditions. What does it mean to you to be a part of this campaign?

It’s been a great experience. It was really lovely meeting the girls on set and just learning about the collection for Ramadan: the shades of it, the colours, the different textures and shapes. It was a very nice and playful shoot. 

Ramadan honestly is a time for me to go inwards. I just try to connect with what’s really important – our families, our friends, our home city, and I felt the vibe, really.

Was there anything that you enjoyed the most about being part of the campaign? 

I love to play dress up so I really had a lot of fun. I enjoyed just doing the fittings and trying different things from Coach. It really expands your mind beyond what you can see on a typical store rack. I appreciated the creativity of the women around me and what everyone brought to the picture. 

Do you have a favourite between Coach’s quilted Tabby Bag and the Willow Shoulder Bag? How do you like to style them? 

It’s really hard to choose favourites because every occasion requires something different. I love exploring creativity and styling different pieces in unusual ways.

You’ve mentioned before that you don’t like being referred to as being the first female DJ in Saudi. What has the experience been like for you being a female DJ in the region? Are there any challenges that you’ve had to overcome?

Yes, just to be completely correct, I’m not really the first female DJ ever in Saudi. There were women doing music way before me and I just happened to be the first one on the scene to be doing it as a career. I’ve been blessed enough to be viewed under this light and honestly, it’s such an honour. 

For me, doing the type of music that I do, I haven’t been able to find a role model that looks like me and comes from where I come; someone from my own country to look up to. But at the same time, I also found inspiration in other Middle Eastern women who have done this as a career, like Nicole Moudaber and a few others who were close enough to the image that I wanted to be. That was my real inspiration.

Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?

Oh, yeah, absolutely. I see a lot of really, really amazing women on the scene, especially in Arabic music. I love Elyanna. Xena Elshazlii also, she’s wonderful. There’s a lot of amazing men and woman on the scene right now and they’re creating this new wave of Arabic music that I’m really proud of.

As a creative person, what inspires you on a daily basis?

I really like to have a stable routine. I take care of my health, I work out, I cook my own food. I like to go inwards most of the time. And this is the beauty of Ramadan. This is what I’m really anticipating. It’s a time to connect with your body, your soul, and just get to know yourself better and find peace and serenity.

When you aren’t working, how do you enjoy spending your free time?

When I’m not working, I’m just mostly home. I’m very introverted. I like to paint. I like to take care of my cats, to see a couple of friends and just have a very cozy night in.

Do you have any exciting projects in the pipeline for 2024?

Absolutely, I’ve been working on a couple of EPS. I’m looking to release a lot of music in the upcoming period. My most recent release is Lover’s Game. It’s a track I did with my friend Shana, she’s a great Lebanese artist. Check it out. You can expect a lot of music releases from me this year.