The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Rap in Egypt has been flourishing over the past few years. Artists like Marwan Moussa, Abu Youssef, and Afroto have shaped the art form, and we only expect it to keep getting better and better. Lately, many young talents have begun to grab people’s attention, given how incredibly passionate and skilled they are, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since Gen Z in Egypt has been the most exposed to rap since childhood and their teenage years. So, here are five incredible up-and-coming rappers to watch out for who are set for success in the near future!

 

MCM

Image via Instagram

A master of freestyle, yet extremely entertaining and fun to listen to, MCM is one of those guys that you can’t help but think, “he’s gonna be something big one day”. His latest single, Khayef, is emotional, inspiring, catchy, and all-around amazing. We’ve caught him performing at Room Art Space a few times and, most recently, at Shababco.

You can check out his latest releases through here.

 

Tifaa

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U.S.-based Moustafa Owis, known as Tifaa, discovered the diversity of rappers in Egypt a few years ago. Being passionate about the arts and music in particular, he was excited to begin making his own music in his home country. His debut single, Maple, set the standard for his music as fun, sharp, and memorable. His latest single, James Bond, which embodies everything we love about him, is inspired by his favourite movie and is the one he’s most proud of.

Listen to his music through this link.

 

Fakhaa

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Youssef Fakhaa takes the groove of rap to a whole other level. With his latest EP, Shereet Cocktail, Fakhaa embodies nostalgia with palpable inspiration from the 1980s and ’90s (the cover art felt very Ice Cream F Gleem, and we love it). The EP is inspired by many styles and eras of Egyptian music, and his take on El Helwa Di, one of our favourite folk songs, was imaginative, innovative, and a great deal of fun.

Listen to his music through this link.

 

Torky

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Quintessentially Egyptian yet very much inspired by the funk and rawness of today’s rap, Torky is an absolute treat to listen to. His latest EP, Mehtar, takes all of that and brings it to another level. Seeing him take the stage lately on platforms, including Shababco, has been amazing to see. His energy is truly unmatched!

You can check out his music through this link.

 

Genev

Image via Instagram

Genev is yet another rapper we’re all excited to see shine even brighter. He embodies what we love and looks forward to hearing from most Egyptian rappers while keeping it unique and his own. His most recent single, Papeete, was absolutely fantastic and memorable.

You can check out his latest releases through here.