The 23-track, deeply personal album confronts the death of the rapper’s mother, embedding the experience of depression and loss in an Egyptian cultural context.
This month’s music guide centers around Egypt and its diverse collaborations with artists from Spain, Palestine, France, Syria, the US, and Somalia.
Two music journalists look deeper into the Middle East and North Africa being named the world’s fastest growing music industry region by the IFPI’s Global Music Report.
Featuring the hottest raï, rap, house, and dance music from Morocco to Sudan—and a few introspective ones, too.
The Egyptian government announced 2025 to be the “Year of Umm Kulthum.” Egyptians of different generations share what it takes to really appreciate the icon’s music.
OkayAfrica’s North Africa correspondent shares the region’s most celebrated and underrated songs of the year — from Libya’s electronic Touareg music to Sudan’s rap revolution, and more.
“Sudan is the reason I’m here right now,” says British Sudanese rising star Elmiene about his fourth EP, which marks a full circle moment since his breakout song “Golden.”
Sudanese rap is having a fantastic year, introducing the North African region to its unique sound and dialect, but are non-Sudanese really listening?
In a friendly rap battle, the two rap scenes show off their artistry and respect for each other’s cultures. Watch Part 2 here to decide for yourself who won.
The independent artist will be playing live next to the Pyramids of Giza, proving the ability of grassroots art to take over world stages.
The Berlin-based platform’s music archive features a variety of hip-hop, soul, rap and instrumental performances from North African artists.
The soundtrack of North African summer is filled with melancholy, R&B, rap and electronic music.
The best songs to come out of Sudan, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya this year so far.
The rapper, Nadine El Roubi, is back with more sociopolitical commentary, elegant empowerment, and a plea to keep #EyesOnSudan, her home country.
In Amaka Jaji’s own words, TIDET mixes spiritual vibes with trap music, creating a sound that neither his community, nor the world, have heard before.
Tunisian singer EMEL continues her musical exploration, as well as her fight for freedom through an explicitly feminist lens on MRA.
In an interview with OkayAfrica, Stormy reflects on his success, making ICEBERG a classic album, and the struggles of his generation.
Check out music festivals this summer showcasing Moroccan Gnawa, Algerian raï, and electronic music from the region and beyond.