For nearly two decades, vinyl has defied expectations — spinning its way from nostalgic relic to global comeback story. According to IFPI’s Global Music Report 2025, vinyl saw its 18th consecutive year of growth in 2024, with revenues climbing 4.6%, even as physical formats overall dipped by 3.1%. While CDs and music videos continue to decline, vinyl’s warm, analog allure still strikes a chord, not just with seasoned collectors, but with a new generation of listeners around the world.

In the MENA region, vinyl is also finding new life among audiophiles, collectors, and DJs seeking a deeper connection to sound and storytelling. In light of these trends, we caught up with Samee3 Lamee3 (Yassar Hammad) — a passionate crate digger from Saudi Arabia — to explore the region’s growing love for records, his all-time favorite finds, and why analog sound is hitting a new high note in the digital age.

Digging Beyond the Music: Vinyl as a Portal to Saudi Stories

Samee3 Lamee3’s vinyl journey began in Los Angeles while studying film.

“It really started when I walked into Amoeba Music, a massive, iconic record store in Hollywood,” he recalls. “I was picking up film soundtracks and playing them on a beginner-level turntable, but over time I started drifting toward the world music section, searching for Arabic records.”

That curiosity led him to artists like Hamza El Din and Fadoul — whose Moroccan funk released on Habibi Funk — marking the moment he realized that “This wasn’t just about collecting — it became about identity, language, and the global echoes of Arab sound.”

After returning to Saudi in 2018, Samee3 noticed that vinyl culture remained underground, with limited access to Arabic pressings. He heard about Bohemia Café during COVID but only visited the Riyadh branch, which mostly carried Western titles and reissues.

Eventually, he found a community online through Instagram and WhatsApp, including DJ and producer, Vinyl Mode (also known as Mohannad Nasser), who encouraged him to spin records publicly. He soon joined a vinyl auction group led by Mohammed Al-Dawsari, where collectors shared rare Saudi finds and the stories behind them.

“We were bidding on records, sharing stories about obscure local artists — many of whom I was hearing about for the first time,” he says. “That’s how I was introduced to names like Bashir Shannan, a Saudi folk singer…They were part of a hidden layer of our musical history.”

That hidden layer, he discovered, often extended beyond borders.

“A lot of Saudi folk singers, especially in the ’70s and ’80s, had their records printed in Greece... but the labels themselves were Saudi,” he explains, pointing to names like Riyadphone, Ash-Shark Records, and Raja Phone.

“It raises questions about the infrastructure and the people behind those operations. Who were they? What was their vision? It’s something I hope to dig into further.”

Original Arabic vinyl remains rare in local shops, but regional hubs like Chico Records in Beirut and Sherry’s Vinyls in Cairo stand out.

“Those places are more than just stores — they’re spaces for conversation and exchange, where the shop owners become collaborators in your journey.”

Rare Records, Deep Roots, and Sonic Surprises

After years spent digging through vinyl shops across the world, two finds still stand out in his memory — not just for what they were, but for the stories they unlocked.

“One was at Amoeba Music in San Francisco, where I randomly came across a Metqal Qenawi record… The second was in Annecy, a small town in France, where I stumbled upon a mint-condition Umm Kulthum record — not her romantic songs, but one where she sings religious pieces and recites Quran. That kind of material is extremely rare,” he said.

What keeps vinyl relevant today, in his eyes, is the sensory experience.“It’s physical, intentional, immersive… You feel the sound, not just hear it. There’s more space in the music. The imperfections are part of the experience,” he explained.

When spinning at events — especially in historic spaces like Jeddah’s Al-Balad — the emotional reaction is immediate.

“A Talal Maddah track that no one recognizes can suddenly spark curiosity… That moment of rediscovery is what makes digging and sharing so rewarding.”

Samee3’s collection today is almost entirely Arabic — spanning from Khaliji folk to North African funk. But building that archive hasn’t been easy. “Arabic records weren’t pressed in high numbers compared to Western ones,” he reflects. “Sometimes the sleeves are missing, the vinyl is scratched, or it’s mislabeled.”

Still, he keeps digging — from Beirut to Parisian flea markets — chasing down Arab records lost to time.

From Jeddah to Riyadh: Where to Start Your Vinyl Hunt in Saudi

Saudi’s crate-digging scene is growing. While rare Arabic pressings are best sourced through auction groups and collectors, more locations are popping up. 

In Riyadh, selections can be found at Bohemia’s JAX branch, Soho Shot Café, Virgin Megastore, and Haraj. 

Online, vinyl.ksa and najdrecords.com offer curated options. In Jeddah, check Antiques and Music; in Dammam and Khobar, Extra and Virgin branches are worth a look, and let’s not forget the first Bohemia Cafe based there!