The Best North African Songs Right Now

This month’s music releases are dominated by North Africa’s big names and their well-crafted projects: Egypt’s Marwan Moussa dropped his highly anticipated album, Sudan’s Tageel, and Morocco’s Small X released thoughtful EPs. DoniaWael returned in full force, and Bas is rolling out beautiful teasers for his upcoming album.

The region, or at least this sonic glimpse into it, is not yet in a summery mood. May’s music recommendations are invitations to listen to bigger, conceptual projects that intimately explore life in North Africa and its diaspora. At times heavy, but mostly atmospheric and minimalist, the following tracks reflect on loss, adolescence, or the passage of time. If you don’t understand the lyrics, I think you’ll still catch the vibe!

Marwan Moussa, Lege-cy - “Kalemeny Belel” (Egypt)

First up is “Kalemeny Belel,” a collaboration with Lege-cy, off Marwan Moussa’s masterpiece,The Man That Lost His Heart, a 23-track journey through the five stages of grief after losing his mother. Over a simple, syncopated beat and dream-like synth chords, Moussa and Lege-cy sing to a woman they wish called them at night. Lege-cy’s voice is at times distorted, making it sound like he’s pleading for the impossible.

Bas, The Hics, Saba - “Erehwon” (Sudan, US)

Multi-Grammy nominated Sudanese American rapper Bas teams up with The Hics for their forthcoming album, Melanchronica, drawing inspiration from 70s prog, 80s pop, and 90s hip-hop and R&B. “Erehwon” with Saba is the third track ahead of its release, another beautiful song born of their unreal chemistry. The Hics pull you in with their catchy hook over string and guitar arrangements before Saba and Bas take over with spirited rap verses.

Small X, Saib - “Albi” (Morocco)

Marking his debut at NYC hip hop label Mass Appeal, Moroccan powerhouse Small X teams up with Moroccan Lofi legend Saib for their joint EP NAFIDA. On the EP’s lead single, “Albi,” atmospheric synths and a simple drum beat underpin Small X’s observations of the pressure social media puts young people under. NAFIDA taps into the calm, minimal sound frequency that Small X and Saib feel is absent from the Moroccan hip-hop scene and which seems to resonate through this music list as well.

Donia Wael, El Waili - “Moshkela” (Egypt)

Egyptian singer-songwriter Donial Wael returns to the scene with two collaborations with Marwan Moussa as well as “Moshkela,” off of her Bifkrny Beek EP. The track, featuring longtime collaborator El Waili, might sound like a hopeful, even euphoric song to those who don’t understand the introspective lyrics about the difficult contradictions inherent to life. Carried by ukulele strings and rhythmic snaps, Wael’s soulful vocal line weaves in and out of synth key progressions and soft drops.

Ammar 808 - “Aman Aman” (Tunisia)

Tunisian producer Sofyann Ben Youssef, aka AMMAR 808, releases his third album, Club Tounsi, which blends Mezoued rhythms and instrumentation with bass-heavy futurism. Track three, “Aman Aman,” is a Tunisian folk song infused with TR-808 drum machine rhythm and bass. Performed by Mariem Bettouhami, it narrates the story of heartbreak after a lover is torn away, leaving behind the scent of jasmine.

Mvndila - “Aya Interlude” (Sudan)

After his February comeback with the explosive SORRY 4 THE WEIGHT, masked Sudanese rapper Tageel follows up with the 5-track EP Zoal Sakit, a more introspective and quieter project produced by Sudanese producer 06. With “Aya Interlude,” Tageel makes space for fellow Sudanese musician and frequent collaborator Mvndila to deliver melodic bars over piano chords at the center of the EP, opening the project’s dynamic and underlining its vulnerability. Another recommended track is “Bunna.”

Nadah El Shazly - “Laini Tani” (Egypt)

Hypnotic qanun strings set a melodic theme for Egyptian musician Nadah El Shazly’s new release “Laini Tani,” conversing with nothing but her haunting voice for the majority of the track. This call-and-response structure is broken by heavy percussive elements in a maqsum-like rhythm that you can feel reverberate in your chest, even through the tiniest earphones. The track teases her upcoming album of the same title.

Moha K - “De9a” (Morocco)

Agadir-born Moroccan singer Moha K starts off the North African summer with “De9a,” another signature high-energy song à la “Darba 9adiya” that gets your shoulders dancing whether you want to or not. K’s music is heavily influenced by Algerian raï and urban pop and tends to rely on syncopated rhythms; his melodic bilingualism hits, especially when listened to on a warm summer night.

Nxdia - “More!” (Egypt, Sudan, UK)

Cairo-born Egyptian Sudanese singer-songwriter Nxdia professes their desire for “More!” on this electric punk track, released ahead of their debut mixtape “I Promise No One’s Watching.” Singing about the intensity of new romance over hard-hitting electric guitar riffs, Nxdia continues to explore themes of identity and sexuality through bilingual music that is fun, catchy, and unparalleled in the North African diaspora.

Billy Lemon, Dua Saleh, MTMBO - “How Many Days” (Sudan, US)

Sudanese American artist Dua Saleh jumps on a feature on “How Many Days” with Billy Lemon and MTMBO. The track is cinematic, nostalgic, and minimalist, with Saleh apologizing over repetitively plucked strings before switching to heartfelt rap and melodic flows. The track feels like an exploration of emotion, spring, and sound, and builds an intimate, meditative, yet fragmented world. Gorgeous.