Egyptian star Mohamed Ramadan returns with a collaboration with Moroccan-American artist ILYAH in an emotional pop single, “I Don’t Know.”
The track arrives two weeks after the passing of Ramadan’s father, though it was recorded two months earlier during his stay in the United States, where he met ILYAH. The mix of Egyptian, Moroccan, and English lyrics centers on themes of uncertainty and questioning the ways life unfolds. Despite the somber writing, the production moves in a contrasting direction, built on Arabic percussion, darbuka patterns, electronic synths, and light electric-guitar textures. Musically, the song opens with a calm, reflective intro before shifting into a faster, dance-oriented section, giving it a hybrid structure.
The music video, also shot during Ramadan’s time in the United States, mirrors the themes of the song as it opens with Ramadan waking up in his bedroom, reflecting on the ways life has taken unexpected turns and expressing a sense of resilience. Later scenes show each artist standing before a mirror in moments of self-reflection, questioning their direction while acknowledging uncertainty. Other scenes place them in a mechanic shop, working with their hands and grounding the narrative in the idea of continuing forward despite unclear outcomes.
These personal themes give the project a distinct emotional weight and set it apart from the high-energy tracks associated with Ramadan’s earlier career. The collaboration with ILYAH began with an encounter at New York Fashion Week, where a brief meeting led to a creative exchange and eventually a studio session. The cross-cultural rapport helped the song come together in a single session. “I think people will feel it right away. The vibe is familiar but fresh, and I want them to enjoy the unity between our cultures,” ILYAH tells Wara El Mazzika.
The track blends softness with a steady rhythmic drive, functioning both as a personal statement and a broadly accessible release. Ramadan maintains his characteristic focus on visual presentation while leaning further into emotional openness. ILYAH adds a complementary layer to the dynamic.
Building on Ramadan’s wide fan base across the Arab world and ILYAH’s growing presence in Morocco and the United States, adding to his expanding list of regional and international collaborations in recent years, which have included Gims, Future, and Massari, among others.
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