Roufaida is a Dutch-Moroccan artist and producer, who seeks to push boundaries and challenge conformity. Drawing from her North-African heritage and love for Arabic traditions, she crafts pop songs with subtle percussion, vintage guitars, and unconventional melodies, resulting in intricate textures that are both haunting and hypnotic. Her songwriting is shaped by Arabic poetry, the third-culture kid experience, and the realities of today’s world. Influenced by innovative artists like Rosalía, Björk, and Arooj Aftab, Roufaida honors multiple traditions while creatively expanding upon them. The 2023 ‘Roufaida’ EP featured standout tracks like “Don’t Bend,” with the resonant tones of the Moroccan guembri, and “Kalimat,” a song based on a poem by Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani. The record received airplay across borders and helped Roufaida tour Benelux, Germany, and Morocco. She performed at festivals such as Down The Rabbit Hole, Into The Great Wide Open, and Noorderslag. Praised for its distinctive sound, the EP earned two nominations for the prestigious Edison Awards. Critics have hailed Roufaida as “a true discovery” (De Volkskrant), applauded her fusion of North-African influences with alternative pop (NRC), and recognized "Don’t Bend" as “the coolest groove of the year” (Humo).