The independent Arabic music scene is full of bands from all over the MENA region, but what about solo artists? Surprisingly enough, as a region, there is no shortage of said artists, and it looks like they are on the rise, collectively.
So here’s a list of eight independent solo artists to keep an ear out for, singing their hearts out from our small MENA neighborhoods to the whole wide world.
Siilawy
A Jordanian singer/songwriter. Almost always leaning towards lighter genres like pop, and love ballads. He garnered a huge fanbase over the short period since he joined YouTube in May 2020, gaining over one million subscribers.
He is one of the most famous and beloved new solo artists in the region.
A5rass
Another Jordanian artist that gives the same vibe as Siilawy even though he predates him by Joining YouTube in 2014. He is very consistent sound-wise, heavily delving into sad pop singing about failed relationships and trying to forget about them. His success is growing with a total of over 180 million views on YouTube.
He is like the main male pop star but in an independent form.
BiG SAM
A Palestinian Boom-Bap rapper turned pop star, turned Hip Hop artist, BIG SAM is one of the most truthful solo artists, specifically in lyrics. He is considered seasoned amongst his peers and has joined YouTube in 2016. He is also extremely versatile both artistically and lyrically. Switching between genres with ease, it is always well reserved by his ever-growing fanbase of over one million subscribers on YouTube. He is very creative with topics to sing about from love and heartbreak to the Palestinian struggle against the occupation. He is definitely worth a listen.
Mohammed Saeed
A young artist from Egypt, very famous among millennials. His songs are very unique with a special vibe of broody, sad almost emo feel to them. Singing about heartbreak, longing, loneliness, and lost love. Joined YouTube in 2017 with also over one million subscribers and with a total of over 145 million views.
Emy Hetari
A Yemeni singer/songwriter in a league of her own. Started singing Anime intros and outros in Arabic, then expanded to singing covers and writing her own songs. With two albums under her belt, her most famous works are “Life is Hope” and “Dreams” produced by Jordanian musician Izz ElDeen AlShweikh.
Joined YouTube in 2013 with a total of over 50 million views, what is so special about her is that she sings informal, standard Arabic. Aside from her perfect pronunciation and soft delicate voice, the choice of the language gives her song the most nostalgic feel, especially if you’re a 90s kid who was obsessed with cartoons.
Illiam
A Jordanian Hip Hop/Rap artist who is just starting his career, joining YouTube in 2018. He’s got his own flow and style of rap, which is almost storytelling rather than just empty rhymes. He raps about a range of topics that are mostly considered controversial or taboo with a heavy focus on betrayal, war, and how it leaves no humanity left. With over nine million views total in such a short time, this solo artist is spearing full speed to the top.
Muslim
Not to be confused with Muslim the Rapper, this Egyptian Muslim had humble independent solo artist beginnings but went on and conquered the music scene with his song “Etnaseit” (Forgotten) featured in the successful movie “Arosty.”
Joined YouTube in 2016 but now has over 200 million views total due to the huge response and new following he got from the movie’s success. He is practically inescapable at this point, and he is showing no signs of going anywhere too.
Madyan Hamza
A very peculiar solo artist from Egypt, Joined YouTube in 2018 with only three singles released till now. His singing is simple and easy, just standard Arabic pop. Now living in Dubai where opportunities are abundant, his direction and choices seem very clear and promising, especially with the release of his latest single “Ba’atzer” two days ago.
There you have it, eight independent Middle Eastern musicians you need to start listening to.