Listen to the North African Songs Making Waves This October 2025

October was the month of project releases; both in the diaspora and on the continent, North African artists are finishing the year strong with a variety of albums, EPs, and international collaborations. 

From Moroccan Gnawa to Algerian raï and Egyptian mahraganat, many of the following tracks are deeply rooted in the sounds of North Africa. At the same time, the region’s artists are proving that they can jump on international genres, with one or two surprise remixes and samples. 

Kingoo, ZIAD ZAZA - “Yala Ya Baba” (Egypt)

Egyptian producer and rapper Kingoo teams up with longtime collaborator ZIAD ZAZA for “Yala Ya Baba,” the standout track off Kingoo’s إتحاد القمه (Vol 1) EP. A hard-hitting bass drops over an eerie synthscape as Kingoo delivers a good performance that pales next to ZAZA’s signature playful rap style, infusing experimental theatrics into a performance that is both fun and interesting to listen to. 

Kore, Zamdane - “Dalí” (Algeria, Morocco, France)

Algerian-born producer Kore teams up with Moroccan-born rapper and trap musician Zamdane for “Dalí,” a track that seems calm at first, carried by Zamdane’s soft vocal line, the occasional flute, and a looped electric guitar. Two and a half minutes in, Kore’s signature nay and raï sounds smoothly pick up the pace and transform it into a complex, danceable track, layering quick percussions over a great bassline. 

Amaka Jaji - “Sahrawi” (Libya)

Libyan Tuareg artist Amaka Jaji released his three-track EP Neghani, Norqos w Neqatel, which is closed out by “Sahrawi,” a mix of dark electronic production and local rhythms that create a charged atmosphere around Jaji’s strong vocal line. While Jaji has a great ear for multi-layered beats and instrumentation that merges his Tuareg upbringing with western music production, his voice and mix of Arabic and Amazigh is always the standout factor in his very underrated music. 

Saha Gnawa, Gilad Hekselman - “Aicha” (Morocco, US) 

New York City-based ensemble Saha Gnawa released their eponymous debut album, or song cycle, channeling the healing energies of Morocco’s Gnawa music into the bustling energy of New York. Recorded in just one session, the album is a journey through several timelines and spiritual landscapes, crafted in unison by the ensemble members and, in the case of “Aicha,” with the help of Gilad Hekselman. Too much happens in one Gnawa song to be described in one paragraph; you just have to listen and feel. 

Tawsen - “Khallini” (Morocco)

Moroccan artist Tawsen continues to tease his debut album Chokran with “Khallini,” a nostalgic track with stunning, surreal visuals. Inspired by the syncopated beat of Algerian raï and led by oud chords, Tawsen bears his soul and sings about injustice and loneliness to his mother, delivering a vocal line of sorrow to a rather danceable melody and music production.

Maii Waleed, Mallawany - “MAGHNATEES” (Egypt)

On “MAGHNATEES,” Egyptian indie musician Maii Waleed collaborates with Egyptian electronic and funk music producer Mallawany. Guitar chords start off the track alongside Waleed’s beautiful voice, which soon ushers in electronic production to create a dreamlike soundscape that ebbs and flows in pace, losing speed in place of synth waves and industrial sounds before returning to the guitar and a more traditional indie band sound. 

RYM, Salima Chica - “Songi Songi - Arabic Remix” (Congo, Morocco)

Moroccan songstress RYM remixes Congolese artist Salima Chica’s “Songi Songi,” a melodic Afro-fusion track on which Chica sings in Lingala and RYM joins for a verse in Arabic. Chica’s signature high-pitched, South Asian style performance is perfectly matched by RYM’s soprano.

Magic System, Soolking - “Analyser” (Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire)

Algeria’s Soolking got into the studio with Ivorian band Magic System, creating the high-energy Afropop track “Analyser.” Soolking and the band members sing in a sort of dialogue with each other, repeating simple vocal lines that are in perfect sync with rhythms that are sure to make you want to get up and dance. 

DYSTINCT - “YAMA” (Morocco)

The truly surprising track in this month’s list is DYSTINCT’s Moroccan interpretation of Nina Skye and Jabba’s “Move your body.” It takes real skill not to ruin such an iconic song, but on “YAMA,” DYSTINCT manages to create a very Arabic, rhythmic vocal line which incorporates vibrato-line drama but successfully balances the line between humor and club banger. The music video is great, too. 

Double Zuksh, Shobra Elgeneral - “El Balad“ (Egypt)

Egypt’s mahraganat superstars Double Zuksh release their debut album Kol 7aga Ok into a shifting landscape in which the homegrown genre is starting to get institutional recognition and label support. On track six, “El Balad” featuring Shobra Elgeneral, the duo takes a calmer approach to shaabi, blending it with R&B and trap, built on a looped rababa melody.