The songs of the Arab Golden Era were practically family heirlooms- handed down from vinyl records spinning in sunlit salons to cassette tapes in battered cars on Alexandria road trips. They’re the soundtrack of home, those moments when you’d catch your parents humming Abdel Halim Hafez in the kitchen or crooning Umm Kulthum’s ‘Enta Omri’ during a post-dinner tea.

Now, a new wave of Arab artists are dragging these timeless classics into the spotlight again- only this time, they’re decked out in trap beats, indie guitars, and hip-hop swagger. Here’s how today’s artists are breathing new life into these enduring staples…

Marwan Moussa ft Stormy - Rio

Gana El Hawa - Abdel Halim Sample

Marwan Moussa’s ‘Rio’, plucked straight from his album ‘Florida’, is a heady concoction of nostalgia and swagger. The track opens up with the familiar beat of Abdel Halim’s ‘Gana El Hawa’ then gliding in with sharp bars riding a stormy, bass-heavy groove, turning the nostalgic classic into a raw, head-nodding hip-hop banger.

Cairokee - Kan Lak Ma’aya

Ansak - Um Kalthoum Sample

Cairokee turns Umm Kulthum’s ‘Ansak’ into a raw, indie-rock confession in ‘Kan Lak Ma’aya’. The iconic longing of the original takes on a gritty edge, as if Umm Kulthum’s soul poured itself into a guitar riff, where echoes of her timeless heartbreak meet the restless defiance of a new generation.

Marwan Moussa FT. YONYO & KARIM ENZO - Panorama

Layalina - Warda Sample

Warda’s ‘Layalina’ was the kind of song you’d hear wafting out of a café on a Friday afternoon - dreamy, tender, timeless. Marwan Moussa’s ‘Panorama’ takes that vibe and tosses it into a hip-hop blender, churning out a fast paced modern-groove.

Marwan Moussa - Afreqya W Amreka

Tareek El Nahl - Fairuz Sample

‘Afreqya W Amreka’ opens with Fairuz’s ethereal voice, pulling you into the haunting beauty of ‘Tareek El Nahl’. But then Marwan Moussa hits the gas - spinning her melody into a sped-up beat, layered with rapid-fire hip-hop verses that refuse to slow down. It’s a fast-paced, electrifying twist on Fairuz’s gravitas, where poetic nostalgia meets unapologetic modern swagger.

Ziad Zaza - Bent El Eh

Albi W Moftaho - Farid El Atrash Sample

Ziad Zaza’s ‘Bent El Eh’ takes Farid El Atrash’s ‘Albi W Moftaho’ and gives it a serene makeover. With its delicate piano intro and Zaza’s ad-libs humming through the melody, the track feels like a quiet conversation with the past, lingering with the playful charm of the original.

DJ Kaboo - 1001 Nights "Arab Trap 7"

Alf Leila W Leila - Um Kalthoum Remix

DJ Kaboo takes Umm Kulthum’s ‘Alf Leila W Leila’ and flips it into ‘1001 Nights’. The grandeur of the original melody is still there, but DJ Kaboo speeds up the beat and layers it with techno-inspired loops. The remix leans on repetition and sharp, pulsating rhythms, building a hypnotic, high-energy vibe.

Hello Psychallepo - Tarab Dub

Meen Elly Aal - Umm Kulthum Rework

Hello Psychallepo captures a unique vibe in ‘Tarab Dub’. The iconic ‘Meen Elly Aal’ is twisted into an electronic odyssey, where soaring vocals collide and are layered over a backdrop of electronic grooves that build into a jazzy, funk-driven crescendo.

El Morabba3 - El Bath El Haii

Aho Da Elly Sar - Sayed Darwish Sample

El Morabba's ‘El Bath El Haii’ takes its time, drawing you into its layered, contemplative soundscape. The track closes with a subtle yet poignant nod to Sayed Darwish’s ‘Aho Da Elly Sar’, blending the revolutionary spirit of the original wrapped in a modern day enigma.

Nancy Mounir - Matkhafsh Alayya

Matkhafsh Alayya - Abdellatif El Bana Rework

Nancy Mounir’s ‘Matkhafsh Alayya’ revisits Abdellatif El Bana’s original with a delicate, modern touch. The track layers soft, ethereal instrumentation over the timeless melody, creating a calm and introspective atmosphere. It’s a thoughtful rework that stays true to the emotional depth of the classic while introducing subtle, contemporary elements.

VORTEX x ALMAS x BIG MOE - Ala Feen

Tir Bina Ya Qalbi - Mohamed Fawzi Sample

‘Ala Feen’ begins with a clip of Mohamed Fawzi’s voice, grounding the track in nostalgia before ALMAS’s smooth vocals weave into the melody. The track then transitions into sharp, energetic rap verses from VORTEX and BIG MOE, creating a seamless blend of vintage charm and modern intensity.

Weela - Ana La Habiby Remix

Ana La Habiby - Fairuz Remix

Weela’s remix of Fairuz’s ‘Ana La Habiby’ brings a modern touch to the classic. The track layers soft electronic beats with the timeless melody, creating a relaxed yet rhythmic vibe. It’s a subtle rework that maintains the charm of the original while giving it a fresh, contemporary edge.

Alexis Reel - Ala Baly

Ala Baly - Farid Al Atrash Sample

Alexis Reel’s ‘Ala Baly’ reimagines Farid Al Atrash’s classic with a modern twist. The track builds on the original beat, adding layers of electronic guitar and faded, atmospheric vocals.

Elyana - Ahwak

Ahwak - Abdel Halim Hafez Sample

Elyana’s ‘Ahwak’ opens like a memory - her delicate voice weaving through the romance of Abdel Halim Hafez’s timeless ballad, but her rendition infuses it with soft, modern production. It's a dreamy, nostalgic reimagining that lingers long after it ends.