Summary
Once again, the variety of the Arabic music landscape has been highlighted with works that range from works that provoke thinking to works that are undeniably catchy and difficult to forget.
This year saw the publication of some of the year’s finest Arabic songs, many of which consolidated the reputations of up-and-coming musicians and introduced a new sound to come out of Saudi Arabia.
Pop sensation Nancy Ajram from Lebanon demonstrated that working together with western musicians can be successful, while singer Khaled from Algeria unearths fresh ideas by looking to his own history for motivation.
The following are the top 10 Arabic songs that were released in the year 2022.
ElBakht, written by Wegz
The fact that Egyptian rapper Wegz has been named the most streamed musician in Egypt and Mena for the third year in a row on Spotify solidifies his position as one of the most popular talents in the Arab world.
The spike seen this year may be attributed, in large part, to the monster known as El Bakht, which has received more than 167 million views on YouTube alone.
On this track, he is heard dialling down some of the intense electronic elements typical of trap music in favour of more natural-sounding instruments, such as the oud.
The infectious and emotionally moving tunes that have become their signature are the thread that binds everything together.
2. Wasa3 Wasa3 by Ahmed Saad
Saad, an additional Egyptian musician that had a successful 2022, ruled the radios this year with three tracks that were successful.
Wasa3 Wasa3 is the most upbeat and enjoyable of the lot, despite the fact that both Aleky Eyoun and Sayrena Dounia are excellent ballads.
The song is a lively fusion of Egyptian and electro pop that is performed with a hip-hop attitude.
The conclusion may be reached thanks to the rousing chorus. At the beginning of this month, more than 100,000 fans accompanied Saad on stage for his performance at the Soundstorm event in Saudi Arabia.
3. Mohammed Al-Ya Najm’s Ibn Khamash, translated by
Ya Ibn Kharmash is the song that has been streamed the most in Saudi Arabia, and its success highlights the growing popularity of sheilat, the Saudi folk music style.
The genre is quickly becoming a new trend that is being proudly led by local musicians such as Al Najm. It combines the electronic vibes of mahraganat music, notably via the strident synth lines and auto-tuned vocals, with Khaleeji drumming.
The sound that is sweeping Saudi Arabia’s youth by storm is exemplified well by Ya Ibn Kharmash.
4. Affectingly harmed by Souad Massi
After hearing Johnny Cash’s eerie cover of Nine Inch Nails’s melancholy “Hurt” in 2002, Algerian artist Souad Massi felt obliged to compose an Arabic rendition of the song.
She told The National that “this is not just because of how inspirational and lovely his rendition is.” “This is not only because of how inspiring and beautiful his version is.”
As an Arab artist, I can tell you that lyrics as heartbreaking and introspective as these are not often heard in Arabic music, which, for better or for worse, tends to concentrate on the more humorous aspects of interpersonal relationships.
While staying true to the original, Massi’s rendition has lyrics that are emotionally charged, which is something you don’t often hear in contemporary Arabic pop music.
5. Sah Sah by Nancy Ajram and Marshmello
The pairing of Lebanese pop queen Nancy Ajram and American DJ Marshmello was an exception to the norm when it comes to the success of collaborations between Arab and western pop music artists in the music industry.This is due to both artists performing what they do best, with Ajram’s earworm melodies and throwaway lyrics fitting nicely inside Marshmello’s percolating synth production. Specifically, this is due to the fact that both artists are doing what they do best.
In August, Sah Sah was only out for two weeks when it made it into the Billboard Dance Charts in the United States.
It is the first song ever to be performed in Arabic that has entered these coveted charts.
6. “Trigue Lycee,” a song by Khaled and DJ Snake
The Algerian rai star takes a trip down memory lane with a revamped version of the first song he ever released, which is included on his first album in ten years.
Whereas the original version of Trigue Lycee, which was published in 1976, featured Khaled’s ebullient teenage vocals expressing hopes of becoming a singer on the “road to school,” the heft and gruffness of the re-recorded vocals and beats, which were courtesy of Algerian EDM star DJ Snake, gives the rai classic an unexpectedly poignant quality.
7. Etnaset by Muslim
This heartfelt and forlorn piano song performed by the Egyptian artist won the affection of many listeners.
Along with emotionally charged lyrics such as “Your absence lasted and the love of you remained overpowering/ I anticipate a sight of the brightness in your eyes,” the graceful simplicity of Etnaset’s performance and production contributes to the song’s resonant quality.
8. Min Awel Dekika by Elissa and Saad Lamjarred
Even though Elissa put off recording her album this year so that she could pay more attention to the World Cup in Qatar, she was still able to please her fan base by performing a duet with the controversial Moroccan artist Saad Lamjarred. The song is titled “Stay” and features Saad Lamjarred.
Min Awel Dekika is a beautiful, string-laden ballad that makes advantage of the skills of both singers. Despite the fact that it does not revolutionise the wheel, the song is enjoyable.
The reaction was almost instant, with the song quickly becoming popular in several regions and accumulating more than 300 million plays on YouTube.
9. Beirut Tuffhaton Lil Bahr by Jahida Wehbe
An ode to Beirut that is both lyrical and jazzy.
Lebanese singer and poet Jahida Wehbe collaborates on a song with fellow countrymen Sary and Ayad Khalife, who are the sons of renowned composer Marcel Khalife. The song has Wehbe’s raspy tones paired with a vibrant improvisational music that includes piano and violin.
The lyrics are an amalgamation of poetry written by Darwish, Adonis, Boland Haidari, and Khalil Hawi. They extol the splendour and tenacity of Beirut.
10. Rasha Nahas, author of Amrat
The Palestinian singer takes some of the edge off of her music with the release of the first track “Amrat,” which is also the name of her newest album.
Amrat is a leisurely meditation on love and exile that serves as a superb demonstration of both acoustic and electronic sensibilities. Its throbbing bass rhythms and ambient keyboards are two of the album’s defining characteristics.