Today we’d like to introduce you to Reem Baqeri.
Hi Reem, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a 23-year-old Bahraini singer-songwriter.
Music has always been a part of my life. I grew up playing classical piano and singing karaoke with my Filipino mother. From family gatherings to any opportunity I could find, I was always singing and performing. I was also fortunate enough to be part of the Youth Bahrain National Orchestra, where I played the violin, and through all of these experiences, my love for music continued to grow.
Outside of performing, I was constantly writing. Whether it was about my own feelings or stories my friends would share with me, songwriting became my way of understanding and expressing emotions.
I always say that songwriting is just journaling with a melody haha.
But It wasn’t until my time at the American University of Sharjah that I truly began taking music seriously. Although I was majoring in Marketing and only minoring in Music and Theatre, that was where I was introduced to musical theatre, acting, and choir. Through choir, I learned about voice control and placement, and through theatre, I discovered something that would completely change my life: a love for performing.
I fell in love with being on stage.
From that point on, I began performing at more open mics, writing more songs, and dedicating as much time as possible to developing as an artist. By my final year of university, I had composed my first full-length album. Creating that project made me realize that music was not simply a hobby, it was what I wanted to dedicate my life to, my passion.
I knew I wanted to gain experience beyond Bahrain and immerse myself in places with larger music communities. Since I had family and friends in the United States, I decided to take a chance and see what opportunities were out there.
My first performance in the US was at The Love Mic in Dallas. It was there that I met Jeanenne, who introduced me to many talented artists within the Dallas music community. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and supportive, and that experience taught me so much about both music and the importance of community.
Over the following months, I continued performing throughout Dallas before receiving the opportunity to perform at the Cutting Room in New York City, a venue that has hosted artists such as Lady Gaga, John Mayer, and many others. Standing on that stage was truly magical and special.
I am currently back in Bahrain producing my debut album before returning to the United States to continue building my career as an artist.
This album explores the stages of heartbreak—from denial and sadness to anger, self-discovery, and ultimately self-love and peace.
It’s very theatrical, and emotional, but it’s also got a bit of sass. So you’ll get a good balance of me haha!
More than anything, music is where I feel most alive. Writing songs and performing are the only things that make me lose track of time completely. And I can’t imagine doing anything else!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, not at all. It has not been a smooth road.
As a Bahraini woman pursuing a career in music, I have faced many challenges.
Culturally, it is not always seen as an acceptable path, and throughout my journey I have often heard comments about how music should remain a hobby or that there is no real future in it.
Those voices can be difficult to ignore, especially when they are repeated over and over again. But I try my best not to let them affect my choices. During university, I worked in offices and even in a bank, so I have experienced more traditional career paths firsthand. While I respect those professions, I realized they were not for me. Music is where I feel most fulfilled, and as long as I am alive, I will continue choosing passion.
At the same time, I feel incredibly fortunate to have a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and experience working in that field. Those skills have become invaluable as an independent artist. They have allowed me to become my own social media manager, create content, build an audience, and develop a platform where I can share my music with the world.
We live in a unique time for independent artists. In many ways, it is the most difficult time because of how much content exists and how much consistency is required to stand out. Yet it is also the most exciting time, because social media has made it possible for anyone, anywhere, to be discovered.
Success requires persistence, discipline, and a great deal of effort, but the opportunities are there.
Above all, I feel incredibly blessed to have family and friends who believe in me and support my dream. Their encouragement has carried me through moments of doubt and uncertainty.
Without their support, this journey would be much harder. So I’d say to always surround yourself with likeminded people who will believe in you!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My music comes directly from my personal journal. Then I add a little bit of theatre, ballad, soul and a little bit of sass into it.
The emotions you can go through when listening to my songs is something people point out to me often. Someone once said that going to my show was like going through an emotional roller coaster!
I’m proud of my self to be completely In touch with my feelings and to be vulnerable enough to put them in my songs.. I am then able to talk about things that I think everyone goes through but struggles to talk about.
Since I write a lot about family issues, loss and grief, feeling lost, and so.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m really looking forward to releasing my debut album by the end of 2026!
I can’t wait to share my music with the world and perform it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Reembaqeri.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reembaqeri?igsh=MXZpamd0bHpma29qag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/yUSvfqSAo-Q?is=tbRDBAVEvEQQ_Sj2
