The poetry he adapts and lyrics he composes address themes of human relationships and sociopolitical ideas.

Composer Munir Bashir took an early interest in Rida, teaching him the works of Rawhy Khamash, Doctor Salem Abdel Karim, Ali Imam, and many others.

During the invasion of Kuwait and the ensuing Gulf War, Rida composed songs that encouraged citizens to put down weapons and take up instruments.

Rida's musical career was paused in 1993 when he graduated and was drafted into the Iraqi Army to serve the obligatory eighteen months.

In addition, Rida was to have a cross tattooed to his forehead, ensuring that he would never marry or obtain a job upon his release.

On the fourth day, in the middle of the night, two men gagged him in his cell and threw him into the trunk of a car.

In July 2009, Rida released his fourth album, "Yom Wa Sana (A Year and a Day)," a set of fourteen songs he produced and recorded.

The product of four years work, this album blends traditional Iraqi songs, Arabic and Western pop from maqam to techno.

Among Rida's original compositions is "La Tesafer (Don't Go)," written for his mother about the time he left Iraq in 1997.