The Best North African Songs of 2025 From Algerian raï and Egyptian rap to Moroccan lo-fi tracks, discover the songs and hits defining North Africa’s fast-growing music scene in 2025. music December 10, 2025
When Your Older Sibling Is the Spark for Your Music Career Egyptian songstress Felukah, Sudanese rapper Montiyago, and Palestinian pop diva Amira Jazeera have one common superpower: their older sibling. In interviews with OkayAfrica, they discuss their siblings’ influence on their art and the difficulties that come with having a creative family business. music December 1, 2025
Manal Opens Up on Motherhood, Music & Her New Song, ‘Carta Rouge’ The Moroccan singer talks about her love for raï music, the women who inspire her creative journey, and how motherhood has influenced her artistic practice. music November 21, 2025
Get to Know 'Way-Way,' a New Sub-Genre of Algeria's Rai Music The Moroccan producer-artist Zouj tells OkayAfrica about the Algerian raï genre he studied with Moroccan elders, fell in love with, and turned into an experimental mixtape. music November 4, 2025
Listen to the North African Songs Making Waves This October 2025 This October, North African musicians are conveying introspective lyrics and nostalgia over danceable rhythms. This list features a bunch of unexpected club bangers. music October 29, 2025
The Moroccan Rappers Proving Darija Is a Global Language of Hip-Hop Moroccan music was slept on for too long because of its unique Arabic dialect Darija, but once it crossed borders, it became an international force to be reckoned with. music October 22, 2025
The Enduring Legacies of Egypt’s Early 2000s Pop Divas Two decades after Ruby, Sherine, and Ranin ushered in an era of unapologetic dancing and tight clothes, millennials continue to celebrate the Egyptian pop icons who helped them craft unconventional identities. music October 16, 2025
Award-Winning Sudanese Filmmaker Mai Elgizouli Moved to New York and Discovered That Making Music Is the Most Intimate of Art Forms Elgizouli made her stage debut at New York City’s Habibi Festival and performed unreleased music from her upcoming album. music October 13, 2025
Saha Gnawa’s New Album Fuses Moroccan Gnawa With NYC Jazz The ensemble honors Moroccan tradition and North African futurism on their self-titled debut album. music October 10, 2025
Montiyago is Creating His Own Reference for Sudanese Rap The emerging Sudanese rapper’s new EP, Morphine, is an answer to his newly found responsibilities and is intended as a gift to the next generation of Sudanese musicians. music October 7, 2025
The Top North African Songs Right Now: September 2025 Edition This month’s music list features North Africa’s best rap, pop, and unexpected fusions from Marwan Moussa, ABIR, and Youssra El Hawary. music September 30, 2025
The Top African Songs You Need to Hear This Week: September 12, 2025 The best new African music tracks that came out this week, featuring Adekunle Gold, A-Reece, 2Baba, Skales, Petite Noir and more. music September 16, 2025
Moroccan Songstress ilham Invites You to Escape on Her ‘uhm…ok?’ EP The Moroccan American alternative R&B-pop artist will drop her independently-released EP ‘uhm...ok?’ on Sep 19, continuing on her journey from Queensbridge projects to rising stardom. music September 11, 2025
Guedra Guedra’s ‘MUTANT’ is a Pan-African Sonic Archive The Moroccan producer releases his second album of experimental Pan-African music, re-centering polyrhythms and the many stories behind the voices. music September 2, 2025
The Best North African Songs Right Now: August 2025 Edition FromElmiene’s Sudanese soul toDranagov’s Moroccan rap, this month’s list features summer’s last romantic tracks with a fresh turn towards more timeless music. music August 26, 2025
The Best North African Songs Right Now: July 2025 Edition New music releases across North Africa are merging electronic and Arabic music with rap, indie, and R&B. music July 30, 2025
Egyptian Musician Donia Wael Will Let You See Her Now After several years in the public ear, Wael is stepping into the public eye, and she is bringing her girl band with her. music July 21, 2025
15 Years of OkayAfrica, 15 Defining Moments in Pop Culture, Innovation and Activism From Afrobeats going global to groundbreaking films, creative innovation, and youth-led protest movements, this video dives into the African moments that have defined the continent’s identity and transformation since OkayAfrica launched in 2010. video July 16, 2025
Get to Know Libyan Disco, Reggae & Pop in This New Collection From Habibi Funk Six years in the making, the indie label’s latest compilation pays homage to the timeless cassette tape music of Libya’s ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s. music July 4, 2025
Bas’ ‘Melanchronica’ Wraps You in Solace, Peace, and Nostalgia With his long-time collaborators The Hics, the Sudanese American rapper bares his soul on this project, which took seven years to complete. music July 3, 2025
Best North African Songs of 2025 So Far — Mid-Year Roundup From Morocco’s Small X to Sudan’s MaMan, North African artists are searching for new sounds and media to respond to the socio-political realities of our time. This is the best North African and Arabic music of the year so far. music June 25, 2025
You Need to Watch This Cinematic Exploration of Immigration DJ Snake’s striking seven-minute video for “Patience” features actor Omar Sy and is fueled by a classic Amadou & Mariam song. music June 5, 2025
On NAFIDA, Moroccan Rapper Small X Rises Above the Noise and Into Underexplored Musical Territory Getting signed to Mass Appeal is only the beginning for the Moroccan powerhouse. music June 2, 2025
The Best North African Songs Right Now In May, music releases were less energetic and more introspective, powerful in their minimalism, and stepping stones towards bigger releases and projects awaiting us in the summer. songs you need to hear May 31, 2025
