There are artists who play music, and there are those for whom music becomes an entire universe, a language shaped through strings, textures, and silence. YAD Oud belongs to that rare category. Emerging from Bahrain, hidden behind anonymity and a futuristic aesthetic, he crafts a singular sonic identity by blending Eastern traditions with modern influences. In this conversation with MP4 Entertainment, he opens up about his journey, his creative process, and the vision behind his work.
How did you start making music? What was the turning point?
YAD Oud : I started making music through the oud. Before that, I played guitar for a couple of years, which helped me understand melody and structure early on. But everything really changed when I picked up the oud.
A big influence for me was Abady Al Johar. He was actually the reason I started playing the oud in the first place. I spent a lot of time listening to his music and trying to imitate his style, which taught me not just technique, but how to express emotion through the instrument.
For me, the turning point came when I started reinterpreting well-known songs through the sound of the oud. Instead of just playing or learning, I began creating Arabic versions of familiar tracks, giving them a different identity and emotional tone. That process made me realize that the oud could carry music far beyond its traditional space.
What inspired you to write « Epiphany »? What was the starting point?
YAD Oud : « Epiphany » actually started very differently from what it became. I first created the track about a year before its release, and at that stage, it didn’t even have any oud in it. The idea was much more in the lofi and chill direction, minimal, laid-back, and quite simple in its structure.
The turning point came when I finally recorded the oud. That moment completely changed the identity of the track. As soon as the oud entered, the whole atmosphere shifted. It naturally pushed the arrangement away from lofi and into something more cinematic, with layers that felt closer to strings like violins and cellos.
From that point on, I followed where the sound was leading rather than trying to stick to the original idea. In a way, « Epiphany » lived up to its name. The track revealed itself during the process.
Why did you choose to remain anonymous?
YAD Oud : I chose to remain anonymous because I want the focus to be entirely on the music and the world around it, not on me as a person. In a time where everything is very face-driven and personal, I was more interested in building something where the identity comes from the sound, the visuals, and the feeling, rather than a name or a face.
The anonymity also gives me a kind of creative freedom. It allows me to experiment, to express different emotions, and to build a character without limitations. I want people to connect with what they hear and feel, not who is behind it.
What is your creative process? Your workflow in the studio?
YAD Oud : My creative process really depends on whether I’m working on a cover or an original track. For covers, I try to preserve the essence of the original while translating it into my own sound. I usually start by studying the track closely, listening to every layer, every instrument, every detail. Then I rebuild it using my own instruments.
For original music, the process is much more open. Sometimes it starts with a clear idea or a specific feeling I want to capture, and I go straight into building around that. Other times, it’s more exploratory. I’ll create a simple foundation, like basic chords or a rhythm, and then record a large number of ideas and phrases over it, sometimes hundreds, until something really stands out.
I also often start with my voice. I’ll hum or sing a phrase first, and then translate that into the oud. That helps me approach the instrument more melodically and emotionally, rather than technically.
What is your greatest strength as an artist? And your biggest weakness?
YAD Oud : I think my greatest strength is my ability to translate ideas and emotions into a distinct sound. Whether it’s a cover or an original track, I focus on creating something that feels like it belongs to its own world. The oud is a big part of that.
As for my biggest weakness, I can be very detail-oriented to the point where I overwork things. I’ll revisit ideas many times, sometimes even when they’re already working, just because I feel like there’s always something more to explore or improve.
One thing you can’t live without on a daily basis?
YAD Oud : My PC. That’s where I spend most of my time creating. It’s where ideas turn into something real.
The last 3 tracks you listened to today, no cheating!
YAD Oud :
« All The Love » by Kanye West
« Click Clack Symphony » by RAYE & Hans Zimmer
« Pink Matter » by Frank Ocean ft. André 3000
A recent news event that impacted you more than others?
YAD Oud : Recent events in the region have impacted me more than others. When it’s close to you, it stops being just news and becomes something you feel.
At the same time, it made me appreciate being Bahraini even more. Even with everything happening around us, there’s a strong sense of safety and protection here, and you realize how much effort goes into maintaining that. It’s something you don’t take for granted. It gives you a deeper sense of gratitude, and that perspective stays with me, both personally and creatively.
Your favorite social media platform? Why?
YAD Oud : Right now, Instagram. It allows me to connect with my audience in a more direct and efficient way, while also sharing both the music and the visuals behind it. It feels like the most complete platform for how I present my work.
Can you explain in a few words the concept behind your latest album « Oudyssey »?
YAD Oud : « Oudyssey » is a journey through space, where each track represents a different emotional state and experience, all connected through the sound of the oud.
Your goals for 2026?
YAD Oud : To expand my music globally, reach new audiences, and continue evolving both the sound and the visual world through new releases, performances, and collaborations. Another goal is to build a live band and bring the music into a more powerful live experience.
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