After gaining international recognition with Habib Galbi in 2016 and reshaping Israel’s Middle Eastern sound alongside her sisters in A-WA, Tair Haim is opening a new creative chapter with her debut solo album, Maktub. Released last December, the record marks a personal and intentional step forward, conceived as a space for connection in a time shaped by uncertainty.
The album’s release followed a longer process than initially planned. The first singles appeared in May 2025, but months passed before the full work came together.
Interviewed by IsraelEconomico, Tair Haim said: «There was a strong sense of collective uncertainty during that period. The war deeply shook society as a whole, and I felt that this album needed space and time to evolve naturally.»
That sense of patience is central to the project. «I don’t rush toward quick results. I move intentionally and think in long distances,» she says. The album’s title reflects that approach: «Maktub means ‘it is written,’ and for me that also means trusting time, patience, and process. The album was allowed to fully mature, and I believe it came out exactly when it needed to.»
While A-WA remains an important part of her artistic identity, Tair is currently focused on her solo path. «This is something I dreamed of even before A-WA was formed, and it feels like the right moment to fully step into it,» she says. At the same time, she emphasizes that the bond with her sisters remains strong and open to future collaborations, «when the timing feels right for all of us.»
Musically, Maktub continues to explore the fusion of Yemenite tradition and contemporary sounds, particularly hip hop. For Tair Haim, this blend is not a formula but something instinctive. «It’s not a recipe at all — it’s a bridge,» she explains. «I grew up surrounded by Yemenite traditions, desert landscapes, Mediterranean sounds, and later on, hip hop and global music.»
Tair describes the album as «a futuristic Yemenite album — rooted in tradition but looking forward. Honoring the past doesn’t mean staying there; it means allowing it to evolve, speak a new language, and live in the present and the future.»
Asked about influences, Tair Haim readily acknowledges the legacy of Ofra Haza. «Yes, absolutely. Ofra Haza opened doors for so many of us,» she says. «She showed how traditional music can travel the world with dignity, depth, and soul. Her voice, strength, and presence remain a profound inspiration for me.»
Although she has never visited Yemen, Haim describes a strong and living connection to the country. «Yemen lives strongly within me — through my grandparents, the language, and the music,» she explains. She also notes the emotional impact of receiving warm responses from listeners across Arab countries, a reaction she describes as deeply meaningful.
That sense of connection is also at the heart of the message she hopes her music can convey. «My hope is that my music can be a space of connection, a place for listening and seeing one another with openness and compassion,» Haim says. «If my songs can create even a small moment of closeness or understanding, that means a lot to me.»
Maktub is now available worldwide on all digital platforms, with the vinyl edition already open for pre-order. Looking ahead, Tair describes this moment as open and expansive. «More than anything, this chapter is about continuing to expand my artistic world,» she says, «staying curious, connected, and open to where the music wants to lead next.»
