Dua Saleh

Based in Minneapolis after a childhood in Sudan and then the United States, Dua Saleh has developed an artistic practice at the intersection of rap, alternative R&B and experimental pop, rooted in an initial background in poetry and spoken word. Anchored in the Midwest independent scene, Dua Saleh began releasing tracks online in the late 2010s and consolidated that work on a debut EP, Nūr, released in 2019, which established the foundations of a dark, melodic universe characterised by introspective lyrics and a particular focus on questions of identity and belonging. The EPs Rosetta (2020) and Crossover (2021) extended this hybrid aesthetic, emphasising the interweaving of electronic rhythms, near‑R&B vocal lines and rap‑like phrasing, with frequent use of spoken voice that recalls Dua Saleh’s origins as a poet. The artist, who identifies as non‑binary, addresses gender, the Sudanese diaspora, spirituality and power relations in their songs, while remaining closely tied to Minneapolis’s creative ecosystem through regular collaborations with local producers and musicians. Alongside music, Dua Saleh became known in the audiovisual sphere by portraying the character Cal in the British series Sex Education from 2021, further situating them in a dialogue between musical, visual and activist cultures.