JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has been witnessing a new phenomenon where women students take singing as a part time job. They say this job offers flexible hours and good money.
“I was raised in a home of singers; my older sister is a singer and my mother too, so you can say singing is in my blood. I always wanted to start a career in singing but my father insisted that I go to university,” said Saudi singer Cinderella.
“I started singing when I was 18 and I’m not willing to stop even when I graduate from university and get a job. I only study because I was told to, but I think singing in weddings pays more than any usual job that requires a university degree.”
In the last few years, many local young women have been working as singers, according to Saudi artist Athoub.
“I have been meeting a lot of new faces in the last two years, and I feel that this is a viable job for those who don’t have one,” said Athoub.
“In the old days, you only saw a small number of singers who all knew each other and were familiar with each other’s songs and jobs, but now it’s hard to keep up with all these new singers who are trying to spread their wings in this small market.”
The short hours make it easy for students to go to college in the morning and work at night. “I really needed this job. When I first decided to go into the music world, I was in debt and I almost lost my house. On my first night singing I was paid SR5,000 when I had nothing but a beautiful voice,” said Mashael, another singer.
“I go to college because I am looking for a better future and I aim to land a respectful job behind a luxurious desk. Working a few hours a day and earning that much money is very good for a person like me and it doesn’t wear me out the next day at college.”
These young singers use sick leave and medical reports to cover up for their extracurricular activities if they need to skip classes.
“When I stay all night singing at a wedding and I have to go to college the next day, I always stop by the clinic next door and fake something. They always give me a sick note to give to my teacher the next day,” said wedding singer Amal Abdullah.
“I’m the clinic’s loyal customer. I only pay SR200 when I need a sick note. Working all night long does not give me a chance to catch up on my studies and sleep, so that leaves me with skipping school.”
In the wedding season many Saudi women work as singers to earn money.
“The summer and Haj seasons are where you see a huge number of singers who offer their voices in exchange for money,” said Ohoud, a singer.
“It is the busiest time of the year for singers because there is more than one wedding every day, which means that there are opportunities for everyone.”
The need for money is what drives Saudi students to obtain a night job.
“I have to say that it’s hectic going to university in the morning and working all night. I sometimes don’t get to sleep because I work until five or six in the morning and then go to university at eight,” said Ashwag, a Saudi wedding singer.
“The money is the reason why I have to put myself in this situation. I have to pay for my mother’s medicines because my father is a security guard and hardly makes enough money for rent and other things,” she added.
