The Best North African Songs Right Now

Summer is in full swing across North Africa, and the region is brimming with new music releases. From long-awaited debut albums to surprising collaborations, this music list reflects the diversity of music coming out of North Africa right now, whether you want to add songs to your road trip or beach playlist. 

The common aspect for most of the songs in this list is a creative and successful balance between contemporary sounds and musical heritage. Many of these tracks lean heavily into nostalgia through sampling 20th-century pop and instrumentation, and build momentum by using the region’s rich rhythmic patterns. 

Hiba Elgizouli - “Hungry” (Sudan) 

Independent Sudanese musician Hiba Elgizouli made a name for herself in 2018 when her sisters Sally and Mai helped her create stunning visuals to her beautiful songs. In a recent interview with OkayAfrica, Hiba shared that she wrote the songs on her new EP Moya W Nar in 2019, even though they were only released this July. The song’s opening track, “Hungry,” begins with familiar Sudanese string arrangements that evoke the nostalgia of Sudan’s golden era. Over complex percussion, Hiba sings an introspective vocal line in Arabic and English, creating a rich soundscape that still doesn’t overwhelm.

Alewya - “Cairo FM” (Egypt, Ethiopia, UK) 

Egyptian Ethiopian Londoner Alewya hasn’t disappointed on a single release since she evolved from painting to music-making. Her brilliant debut album Zero is out now. The 70s disco-inspired “Cairo FM” is a standout amongst standout tracks, sampling El Shab Arrab’s “Lw Kan.” Alewya blends its original groove with a catchy hook and rhythmic chant-rapping, creating a song that feels nostalgic, contemporary, and unmistakably Alewya. 

Soolking, Willylancien - “Cogite” (Algeria, France) 

Algerian star Soolking teams up with anonymous French musician Willylancien for “Cogite,” a bouncy summer song that is best listened to by the beach. The electronic production and heavy bass merge well with Soolking’s signature melodic vocal line, betraying a more serious theme of ambition and questioning the right kind of fame. 

Hany Shenouda, ZIAD ZAZA, Tina - “Bahlam Maak” (Egypt) 

Shortly before he passed away due to a sudden health crisis, Egyptian icon and founder of Al-Masryeen Hany Shenouda gave rapper Ziad Zaza and emerging singer Tina the privilege of reimagining his hit “Bahlam Maak.” Accompanied by only a piano, the duo turns the 1979 lyrics into a heartfelt and dreamy duet, with Zaza showing the versatility of his vocal performance. Two minutes into the song, drums and electric guitar turn the ballad into a danceable track with Zaza returning to his better-known autotuned vocals.

Tageel, Mvndila - “Gamra” (Sudan) 

Sudanese artists Tageel and Mvndila released their joint EP Culture, marking the beginning of a distribution deal for Tageel under Mass Appeal Records. As seasoned collaborators, Tageel and Mvndila step up their delivery on this EP, successfully merging their different styles and personas. “Gamra” comes alive with a pulsating synth line and heavily distorted bass as a dynamic backdrop to Mvndila’s energetic performance, entering into conversation with Tageel’s grounded rap delivery. 

Inez, Najm - “Nta Liya” (Morocco, Netherlands) 

Moroccan Dutch singer-songwriter Inez released her debut album Farasha. On the standout track, “Nta Liya,” she teams up with Moroccan musician Najm to sing about dark romance and deep attachment. The song blends contemporary pop, R&B, and Moroccan percussive elements, allowing Inez and Najm to be in conversation and vocalize different emotional experiences from sadness to resilience. 

Donia Wael - “Feek Haga” (Egypt) 

Egyptian musician Donia Wael has established a signature sound that thrives on guitar-driven arrangements, melancholy and introspective lyrics. On “Feek Haga,” she doesn’t fully depart from this, but the track is less production and more minimalist pop, less introversion and longing and more fun. Her vocal delivery is as dreamy as ever as Wael proves that she can tap into different moods. 

Connan, Hleem Taj Alser - “Shift” (Sudan) 

Sudanese rappers Connan and Hleem Taj Alser collaborate for the afro-pop single “Shift,” a high-energy hip hop fusion with atmospheric string arrangements. Connan’s melodic flow fits well with the afrobeat percussion structures, syncopated patterns, and underlying trap influences, and Alser seamlessly follows his flow. 

TUL8TE, COLORS - “Garee2a Awy” (Egypt) 

Egyptian sensation TUL8TE makes his Colors x Berlin debut with “Garee3a Awy,” a track about instant infatuation that teases his forthcoming album. The theme and nostalgic feeling are TUL8TE’s hallmark, and he once again delivers on a retro single that heavily draws on 90s and early 00s Arab pop. His lyrics directly address the girl he has fallen for, with his conversational tone being balanced out by dramatic strings. 

Rhita Nattah - “Kanbouni” (Morocco) 

Independent Moroccan artist Rhita Nattah releases “Kanbouni” to encourage people to take a stand for what is right. “The song is about having words so strong that they feel like a punch to the person hearing them,” says the artist. “Because authenticity is what makes a person strong.” Almost a rhythmic meditation, the track’s production is reminiscent of North African string instrumentation and keeps its momentum through syncopated vocal patterns of chant-like repetition.