Top Hits of 2025 Middle East & North Africa

2025 has seen the region's music-makers deliver boundary-pushing, conceptually rich and genre-defying albums (see SceneNoise's Albums of the Year 2025 for proof), but there’s something in the singular, individual song that captures the lightning-in-a-bottle energy of a specific moment or feeling, which no full-length body of work can quite replicate.

While an album offers a narrative, a hit single offers an anthem - a three-to-five minute distillation of the moods, movements and milestones that defined the year.

Yes, some of these are tracks dominated playlists, yes, some topped streaming charts. More importantly, however, they have been cultural snapshots, direct lines to the pulse of the region, sonic backdrops to our daily lives. They’re also just straight-up bangers.

As we look back at the soundtracks to our dancefloors, long drives and Spotify-and-chill nights, these are the tracks that stood tallest in 2025.

Note: This list is organised alphabetically, not ranked, to highlight the diversity of outstanding releases from across the region.

3MAR - Fawzi, Al Nather

Released through BLTNM collective, ‘3MAR’ is a definitive Ramallah drill anthem that masterfully balances raw aggression with profound socio-political weight. The track navigates the friction of betrayal and hardship against the harrowing backdrop of the ongoing genocide in Palestine, yet it remains anchored by a defiant celebration of kinship and resilience. Propelled by Al Nather’s gritty, industrial production and Fawzi’s razor-sharp hooks, "3MAR" has evolved from an underground staple into a cultural benchmark, defining the avant-garde edge of contemporary Levantine hip-hop.

Aywa Aywa - Misty, Dish Dash, Ebla

The debut release on Dish Dash’s IN ACT label, ‘Aywa Aywa’ is a buoyant house burner fueled by Misty’s colorful production and Ebla’s playful, flamenco-inspired energy. A bold first statement for a trailblazing new imprint. The track climbed to the Top 20 electronic charts on Beatport and was widely played by prominent international DJs like Seth Troxler, Carlita, DJ Tennis and Demi Riquísimo in clubs and festivals across Saudi Arabia and Amsterdam.

Be3teeny Leh - Ziad Zaza, Amr Mostafa, Moataz Mady

Created during one of Red Bull Mazzika Salonat sessions, ‘Be3teeny Leh’ is a cross-generational collaboration between Ziad Zaza, Amr Mostafa and Moataz Mady that unfolds like a back-and-forth portrait of a relationship collapsing under emotional imbalance. The track’s confessional verses and an aching hook have been viraling on TikTok since its release, accumulating over 1.5 million streams on YouTube and 4 million on Spotify.

Carta Rouge - Manal

‘Carta Rouge’ marks Manal’s definitive 2025 return, a track that trades hesitation for high-stakes ambition. Melding her Marrakech roots with rai-infused production, she exerts a diva-like authority to settle old scores. It’s not only a bold comeback, but also a pointed strike against the critics and frienemies who underestimated her rise.

Dima Rave - Ino Casablanca

Ever since its release as the lead single for his debut album, ‘Dima Rave’ has become an infectious anthem for the North African diaspora across the European club and hip-hop scenes with its eclectic style and explosive energy. Rather than adhering to a singular club formula, the track integrates the melodic DNA of rai with a steady, rap-influenced flow that maintains a sense of composed nonchalance.

Do You Love Me? / سنيورة - Saint Levant, Fares Sokkar

First teased live at the AUB Outdoors Festival in Beirut, ‘Do You Love Me / سنيورة’ became a major regional hit even before its official release. The track is a playful, cheeky fusion of Saint Levant’s trilingual, smooth hip-hop and Fares Sokar’s rhythmic Egyptian mahragant, a cultural crossover that serves as a centrepiece for Levant’s Love Letters’ Deluxe album. As of late 2025,’ سنيورة’ amassed over 15.6 million streams on Spotify.

El Hob Gany - Tul8te

Ever since its premiere at the New Alamein Festival on Egypt’s North Coast, ‘El Hob Gany’ became a staple on social media, garnering over 15 million streams on Spotify. Blending infectious Spanish guitar riffs with the nostalgic, synth-heavy aesthetics of 1990s Egyptian pop, the track explores themes of longing and the sting of unrequited love through its melancholic yet danceable production.

ELWA3D - Wegz

Produced by his trusted collaborator Rashed, ‘ElWA3D’ is a much-needed revival of Wegz’s 2019 trap era. The track reintroduced the stripped-back trap production, cutting punchlines, and sharp delivery that once defined the sound of the new Egyptian rap wave. As of now, the track has reached over 14 million streams on Spotify.

Hal Di Kat Hayatak - Abyusif

‘Hal Di Kat Hayatak’ has solidified its place as a standout in the regional rap scene through the unmistakable raw emotional depth of Abyu’s. Exploring themes of isolation and the search for meaning, the Egyptian rapper doubles down on his signature introspective lyricism and clever wordplay to delve into personal struggles and the ‘restart’ button of life, with rapid flow. As of December 2025, the track has amassed over 4.3 million streams on Spotify and more than 2.1 million views on YouTube.

John Cena - 3ab3az

Rising Egyptian shaabi artist 3ab3az flips expectations by pivoting from his electro-pop leanings and sampling John Cena’s infamous WWE entrance theme, You Can’t See Me. Leaning deeper into hip-hop, he balances braggadocio with introspection, tracing a path shaped by betrayal and hard-earned self-belief. The result is sharp and street-smart, calling out fake alliances, hollow hustle, and competition that never leaves the starting line.

Kadaba - Karim Osama

Karim Osama takes full control of the production on ‘Kadaba’, refining a signature sound that layers lo-fi textures and shaabi elements over a moody hip-hop foundation. The track moves between smooth, atmospheric beats and heavy, bass-driven drops, creating a sonic landscape that mirrors the artist's own emotional volatility. Osama’s delivery is a study in contrasts, blending raw vulnerability with an aggressive vocal performance to capture the exhaustion of obsessive longing.

KALAMANTINA - Saint Levant, Marwan Moussa

‘Kalamantina’, from Saint Levant's Love Letters EP, is the undisputed cultural moment of 2025. The cross-cultural collaboration with Egyptian hip-hop heavyweight Marwan Moussa delivers an instantly iconic hook that is as soft and sweet as a gâteau, fuelling viral TikTok trends and dance challenges throughout the whole summer. A hypnotic fusion of R&B and pop, defined by its signature percussive beats and sensual vibe, the track amassed over 38 million streams on Spotify alone, solidifying its place as one of the most-played Arabic-fusion tracks of the year. It maintained a steady presence on Spotify’s regional charts, peaking as high as #17 in Egypt and appearing on top charts in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Khatfoony - Amr Diab, Jana Diab

The father-daughter defining moment of the year, ‘Khatfoony’, is a dynamic bilingual collaboration that bridges the musical legacy of the Egyptian icon Amr Diab and his daughter Jana Diab, serving as a standout single from his album Ebtadena, but particularly a summer 2025 hit. Produced by Osama El Hendy and written by Tamer Hussein, the track seamlessly blends Amr’s traditional Arabic melodies with Jana’s modern English pop sensibilities, quickly becoming a viral sensation that has garnered over 22.7 million streams on Spotify and amassed nearly 39 million views on YouTube.

Law Nasyani - Lege-Cy

A chill, mellow pop produced by Egyptian trailblazer Ismail Nosrat, ‘Law Nasyany’ saw the rapper-producer further expanding on the emo-pop blueprint of ‘El Neyya’. The track pairs intricate, chill production with deeply personal lyricism, which is a rare moment of mainstream vulnerability that commanded the charts, racking up 17 million streams and landing comfortably in Egypt’s Top 10 for the year.

Ma Tensani - Vanco, Aya System

Remember that 'Ahla leila ahla nas' hook that followed you all summer? Produced by DJ/producer Vanco and featuring vocals by Khaleeji duo Aya System, the afro-house smash hit (which is actually called ‘Ma Tnsnai by the way) had electronic heads, both Arabic and non-Arabic speakers across the globe, belting out the verse at every occasion like they actually knew what it meant. alike, belting out the verse at every occasion like they actually knew what it meant. The track became a global electronic moment, racking up over 54 million Spotify streams and even earning remixes from legends like Tiësto.

Mghribi Ka33i - DADA

Inspired by Morocco’s youth-led uprisings, rap superstar DADA unleashes the raw, unfiltered ‘Mghribi Ka33i,’ a searing critique of the government’s prejudice against Agadir protesters. A bold act of solidarity, the track channels the defiant spirit of his people, pairing sharp, biting verses with a classic hip-hop pulse.

Nasser - Nasser

Built as a confessional diary, Egyptian rising artist Nasser’s self-titled track oscillates between raw frustration and cold accounting. A ledger of grudges, survival, and hard-won self-preservation, it pairs introspective lyrics with minimalist, melancholic pop-leaning production. Betrayal and life’s traps unfold with unflinching clarity, culminating in a stark truth: sometimes, selfishness is the only path to sanity. As of late December 2025, ‘Nasser’ accumulated over 2 million streams on Spotify.

Pirate - Stormy

Released as part of Stormy’s surprise EP, OMEGA, ‘Pirate’ solidifies the Moroccan rap sensation’s position as a standout in the North African rap scene. The track is a powerful anthem, blending darija with French lyricism, painting a vivid picture of a relentless journey through life, using the metaphor of a pirate navigating hardships. On the day of its release, the track dominated the North African Spotify charts for over five weeks - spending three of those at number one - and has already surged past 14 million streams.

Psycho - Draganov

Smooth, atmospheric guitar licks and a steady, down-tempo groove transform Moroccan artist Draganov’s ‘Psycho’ into one of the year’s most refined R&B-infused moments. The production is rooted in a soulful, blue-hour vibe, letting deep bass and spacious reverb do the heavy lifting, while Draganov moves away from a hard-hitting flow in favor of a melodic, almost whispered delivery that perfectly captures a sense of introspective longing.

Radiya - Lina Makoul

Shimmering synths and a disco-adjacent bassline present Lina Makoul’s ‘Radiya’ a modern indie reimagining of 80s Arabic pop. The track moves with a specific night-drive energy, with lush keys and atmospheric layers that feel both vintage and futuristic. Lina’s delivery is the anchor here; her vocals are light and airy, yet they carry an emotional weight that gives the song’s theme of self-assurance a sophisticated edge.

Youmi - Fawzi, Shabjdeed, Al Nather

There is a specific haziness to ‘Youmi’ that sets it apart from the usual BLTNM output. Al Nather constructs a skeletal, mid-tempo world for Shabjdeed and Fawzi to inhabit, trading chaotic energy for a hypnotically repetitive rhythm. Shabjdeed’s cynical, world-weary flow is perfectly balanced by Fawzi’s melodic presence, turning the concept of the ‘daily grind’ into something atmospheric and almost cinematic.

Wala Meen - Ziad Zaza, Lege-Cy

‘Wala Meen’ marked a significant shift for both Ziad Zaza and Lege-Cy, as the Egyptian rappers stepped out of their usual lanes to blur the lines between trap and pop. Co-produced by Kingoo and Ismail Nosrat, the track trades their signature sharp wordplay for a more melodic, infectious sound. Despite the shift toward a catchier hook, the record maintains its grit, wrapped in slick, bass-heavy production that is still imbued with plenty of distortion and trap muscle.