‘Bosakber': Marwan Moussa's Descent Into the Subconscious

Last year in 2024, Marwan Moussa teased that he’s working on a new album, hinting that it will be a conceptual work exploring five stages of grief, and his personal journey of healing following the tragic loss of his mother. He kicked off his announcement with ‘3amel Eh’, the first preview single and one of his most personal and intimate songs, followed shortly by the first installment of the album ‘Denial’, presented in three songs: ‘Airplane Mode’, ‘Amot Ana’ and ‘Mozza’. Both releases marked an extreme shift in his sound, showcasing his fresh experimental approach, and a cohesive and evolved sonic style.

This week, the Egyptian rap superstar unveiled ‘Bosakber’, the second preview signalling a darker and even more intimate tone for his upcoming album, which we now know is titled ‘الرجل الذي فقد قلبه’. Produced by HatemBas, the track truly lives up to Moussa’s promise of ‘a change in sound’, as he dabbles in a new sonic terrain a bit further from his signature sonic identity, presenting an intricate fusion of hip-hop beats, sufi elements, oud arrangements and shaabi with touches of contemporary electronics.

Through poignant lyricism, the track captures the true essence of what it is like to struggle with mental health issues, trauma and healing, painting a vivid picture of Moussa’s psychosis, trust issues, emotional detachment and refusal to surrender to his most painful memories.

Throughout the song, Moussa constantly alternates between a contemplative dialogue with himself and a first-person narrative, delivering verses like 'هموم الدنيا نستك أسمك', and 'بكلم نفسي أنا مريض'. It feels as if he’s implementing some form of specialised therapy intervention as a way of processing his personal turmoil, struggles, and attempts to erase himself.

The music video for ‘Bosakber’, directed by Yussef Haridy, is a visual diary of vulnerability and confusion, employing striking cinematography that perfectly mirrors the song’s emotionally dense aspect. Early in the video, we see Marwan being dragged into what appears to be a dungeon, where masked figures perform a spiritual Sufi dance ritual, seemingly in an attempt to heal his tormented soul. Then, in several cuts interspersed with distorted images, we see him grappling with his own reflection alone in a room - an illustration of his self-isolation, inner conflict and feeling of being trapped.

At its core, ‘Bosakber’ carries a tension that reflects Marwan’s strained mind and weary, emotionless heart, ultimately depicting a dissociation with reality, which can be seen as symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s Marwan in his most vulnerable and real, a powerful act of self-disclosure on his part.