On this edition of our Rap of the Week playlist, the SceneNoise team handpicks a selection of the best rap releases from across the Middle East and North Africa region, including new music from Fares LÜNN, Lella Fadda, Ma-Beyn, and Bas.

Hailing from Algeria, Fares LÜNN, a standout artist in the regional Afro-pop and hip-hop spheres, returns with ‘Rouli’, a lively and engrossing tune that skillfully combines traditional North African sounds with contemporary hip-hop beat.

Next up on the list is rising Egyptian rapper, Goubi, teaming up with Canada-based producer Risling on ‘Jugo, The Nubian Soldier’, a refreshing take on surrealist alternative rap. The track is part of Goubi and Risling’s debut full-length album, ‘El Bonnie Doom’, which is a 13-track genre-hopping patchwork pulling elements from trap, noise hop, post-punk, industrial and more, with various samples of Egyptian TV ads.

Multi-Grammy-nominated Sudanese artist Bas teamed up with London-based duo The Hics on ‘Norbit’, a second preview single from their upcoming joint album, ‘Melanchronica’. The track, featuring their longtime collaborator Ab-Soul, delves into themes of betrayal, defiance, and abandonment.

The playlist also features Palestinian-Egyptian rapper and singer Ma-Beyn with ‘Bekafy’, a third preview single from her upcoming album. Inspired by the resistance songs of Palestinian artist Maysa Daw, the track is a powerful and poetic critique of the political hypocrisy and emotional numbness of the world towards the genocide in Palestine, as well as a desperate plea for collective awakening, urging people to open their eyes and act before it’s too late. As part of the chorus, however, there’s a mini rendition of Sayed Darwish’s ‘Shed El 7ezzam’, signalling a flicker of hope for a better future.

TRACKLIST:

Fares LÜNN - Rouli Goubi x Risling - Jugo, The Nubian Soldier Yo Asel, Vakerieblud, Anys - Reform Ma-Beyn - Bekafy Burhan - Khamsa Nzam G-Salih - Here Khaled Mokhtar ft. Ahmed Santa & Lella Fadda - الرحلة رحلتك Dareen - Dawama Mohaimen x Begad - Bent El Nas Bas, The Hics & Ab-Soul - Norbit ADVM - 3la Eh Askar x SHAFRA - 6OG Kero Box - Lella Fadda ft. 3osman