The Best North African Songs Right Now

From Egyptian mahraganat and hyper-hop to Algerian raï, this month’s music picks introduce you to the most exciting sounds currently coming out of North Africa.

Egyptian rapper Wegz wearing traditional clothes and silver jewelry, standing in front of papyrus-like sheets with prints of Arabic writing.

In his latest release, Wegz pays homage to the Arabic language and Egyptian cultural heritage.

Screenshot from YouTube, Al Araby Asly with Wegz by Madinet Masr.

This month, North African artists have been leaning into the theme of traditional love and tapping into the wealth of Arab instruments, which perfectly lend themselves to electronic experimentation. From Morocco to Egypt, men are performing heartfelt lyrics while women are releasing dance tracks and hard-hitting bars. These songs might make you want to learn the qanun, oud, mizmar or accordion.

Wegz, Madinet Masr - “Al Araby Asly” (Egypt)

Made for an initiative led by Egyptian real estate developer Madinet Masr, Egyptian superstar Wegz releases “Al Araby Asly,” a personal track encouraging Egyptians to preserve their identity and Arabic language. The traditional qanun instrument and the carefully curated visuals in the music video directed by Salme Elkashef beautifully showcase Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.

Dafencii, Hleem Taj Alser - “Hanak Beesh” (Sudan)

Sudanese rap heavyweights Dafencii, who hails from Saudi Arabia, and Hleem Taj Alser, born and raised in Libya, team up for a collaboration that perfectly blends their signature flows; Dafencii’s chill delivery and Alser’s melodic expression merge over a simple saxophone loop and syncopated percussion.

Rita Kamale, Albi X “Move” - (Morocco, Congo, Germany)

London-based Moroccan singer, rapper and producer Rita Kamale teams up with Congolese German Albi X for “Move.” This spiritual dance track effortlessly flows between English and French and features Kamale’s soothing voice intertwined with Amapiano-inspired rhythms and log drums.

Soulja, Montiyago, 77 - “Ca va” (Sudan, Egypt)

Sudanese rappers Soulja and Montiyago just released Suits, a three-track collaborative EP produced by Egyptian producer 77, with a notable guest appearance by emerging Egyptian rapper Ziad Zaza. The second track, “Ca va,” stands out for its reflective verses delivered over strings and melodic synths that diverge from the EP’s otherwise trap-heavy production.

Koast - “Shades” (Tunisia)

Tunisian rapper Koast delivers another noteworthy, polytonal performance on “Shades.” Venturing into a trap-like beat, she brings her maqam-inspired signature flow into a tri-lingual fusion of English, French and Arabic.

Felukah - “Ana Mesh Heya” (Egypt)

“Ana Mesh Heya” is the first release from Egyptian songstress Felukah’s upcoming Qabl El Shams EP. The EP is named after her first international tour, which was kickstarted after a guest performance at the iconic Pyramids of Giza with fellow Egyptian musician Ash. With this Arabic-language dance track, produced by Egyptian duo Issa and Assouad, Felukah continues to create hyper-hop, a genre she first explored on her Harara EP.

Danyl, Zamdane - “Les zhommes” (Algeria, Morocco)

Franco Algerian singer, composer and producer Danyl collaborates with Morocco’s Zamdane on the French-language track “Les zhommes.” Drawing from his dual background, Danyl’s music typically draws on Raï sounds and is classified as New Raï. “Les zhommes” features heartfelt lyrics and violins, and is accompanied by intimate visuals filmed in a hammam.

Double Zuksh, Sho Madjozi - “Zamaleky” (Egypt, South Africa)

With “Zamaleky,” Egyptian rap mahraganat duo Double Zuksh release a unique collaboration with South African rapper Sho Madjozi. The track will feature on the upcoming compilation album Chromesthesia: The Colour of Sound Vol. 1, a showcase of global electronic music producers. “Zamaleky” blends amapiano rhythms and Madjozi’s distinctive vocals with the Egyptian mizmar and Double Zuksh’s mahraganat-influenced rap deliveries.

Kader Japonais, Numidia Lezoul - “Ana W Nti” (Algeria)

On “Ana W Nti,” Algeria’s beloved ballad singer Numidia Lezoul joins forces with Raï icon Kader Japonais. Their bilingual love song blends Arabic pop with Algerian Raï in a heartfelt back-and-forth accompanied by flutes and synths.

Ein L Aql - “Ein L Katkout I The Chick’s Eye“ (Egypt)

“Ein L Katkout I The Chick’s Eye” opens Egyptian duo Ein L Aql’s album Al Baydah Wal Hajar (The Egg and The Stone). Bassem Diaa and Amro Zidan were inspired by actor Ahmed Zaki's 1990 film of the same name, which explored Egyptian religious rituals and practices rooted in wizardry and djinn invocation. The six-track album blends traditional sha’abi melodies and instruments like the nay, qanun and oud, with modern electronic beats.

ElGrandeToto - “Diplomatico” (Morocco)

Morocco’s superstar rapper ElGrandeToto shows a vulnerable side of himself on the melodic “Diplomatico.” His emotional delivery is accompanied by simple, conga-like percussion and an electric guitar loop.

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