Artists in the Middle East, North Africa, and the diaspora had an incredible year in 2022, with so much beautiful creativity and artistry in our music throughout the year. Our singers, rappers, producers, songwriters shared their talents through incredible albums across genres and communities.
As a Lebanese-American music writer and consumer of our art, it felt rewarding and fulfilling to see just how well-represented our people are in music. When I first started putting together this list of the ten artists I’m most looking forward to in 2023, I have to admit I was anxious. I listen to far too much music and try to support all of our artists and creative outputs. If I could, I would list every single artist.
But choices have to be made. I am excited about a few artists in particular whose music I truly love and listen to constantly. There is a list of honorable mentions who I want to make sure I shout out because I do think they will find major success in 2023. And there is also a list of ten artists specifically that I’ve got my eye on this coming year. Some of these artists are stars in their own right, some artists you may not know yet. But all of them are creating incredible music at the moment.
BEA KADRI
The Lebanese singer-songwriter kept busy in 2022 releasing a slew of infectious singles. Her mix of pop and R&B, combined with a sultry mesmerizing voice, shines through in songs like Outpour and Poison. My personal favorite track that Bea released last year has to be Ruthless Ma Ber7am. She’s fresh off of releasing F*ck A Fantasy and I’m expecting big things from her this coming year.
Song Pick: Ruthless Ma Ber7am
RITA L’OUJDIA
If you follow Rita L’Oujdia on Instagram (which frankly, everyone should be doing), you know that she’s been cooking up something special for 2023. The Moroccan artist released the hype party jam Dkhol So9 Rassek in 2022, incorporating a mix of genres and cultural influences in this track — and in all of her music. And for those of you who love to listen to — or may have just discovered — artists rapping in multiple languages, I highly recommend Rita’s song Ke Paso.
Song pick: Ke Paso
SAMARA
In my opinion, Samara is one of Tunisia’s greatest exports. Okay, maybe that is too big of a statement, but one cannot deny the power and prowess that is his music. From trap to drill to Afrobeats, Samara is not shy about exploring different genres and imprinting his sound on those genres. His song Houma Shkouna was also the most streamed Tunisian rap song on Spotify in 2022. There’s no doubt that Samara is going to continue his great run and come out swinging this year.
Song pick: Galbi
BINT7ALAL
This London-based Palestinian artist is coming for each and every one of you in 2023. How do I know this? You’re going to have to trust me. But in all seriousness, it’s hard to ignore Bint7alal’s lyrical skills, combined with raw, energetic beat production that would get anyone ready to take on anything. Bint7alal is definitely an artist you too will want to have on your radar.
Song pick: 3awaj
BAHJAT
Talk about an artist who is just looking to have fun all the time. No doubt, Bahjat is already a star and is helping to usher in a new era of Arab pop music. This Libyan artist is unabashedly himself, staying quite busy pumping out new music throughout 2022. He even released what I consider a really fun, unofficial World Cup song called Together We’re Champions (Ole Ole Ole) — and he created a Moroccan version on Instagram in honor of the Atlas Lions’ historic run. Bahjat truly has a bright future ahead of him, and 2023 will be his year.
Song pick: I’M HERE
TAMTAM
This Saudi singer truly is a musical force, having an absolutely career-defining year in 2022. In that year alone, she released her EP ISMAK and was part of Coca-Cola’s World Cup campaign, collaborating with Mexican star Danna Paola and Egyptian emcee Felukah (who appears later on this list) for the song A Kind of Magic. Tamtam has an incredibly bright career ahead of her, and there’s no doubt in my mind she will continue to build on her creative success in 2023. Everyone better be ready!
Song pick: LIBERATION
ODD KHALID
It’s been a big year for the Baghdad-born emcee. While his musical style takes influences from genres like dancehall, trap, and Afrobeats, Odd Khalid has a knack for creating incredible drill rap. In 2022, before releasing such drill jams like Al Ra7la and Al Visa, he appeared on the star-studded Big Hass track Iraq Cypher as one of the faces representing the burgeoning Iraq rap scene. It’s hard to ignore the emotion Odd Khalid brings to his music, and I’m excited to see what he comes up with this coming year.
Song pick: Al Visa
NADINE EL ROUBI
If you follow me on Twitter, I’ve made it no secret that I’m obsessed with Nadine El Roubi’s artistry. And after finally seeing her perform in December at her first-ever show in the United States, I’m further convinced that she will one day sell out stadiums and arenas. Nadine is fresh off of her first EP “Triplicity”, a genre-less creation of soulful vibes. Trust me, 2023 will be Nadine’s year — the sky is the limit for her. (Esquire first predicted she’s ready for the big time in our September 2022 issue)
Song pick: Gravity
TRIPLEGO
The French-Arab duo have been out here making incredible music. Sanguee, the Moroccan emcee of the group, and MoMo Spazz, the producer of the group whose origins are Egyptian and Algerian, adopted the chill club vibe as their own, dabbling with reggaeton and dembow influences. Their latest single Chebba is my personal favorite at the moment given its heavy Algerian influence, especially in the intro of the track. I’m looking for them to continue their dominance during the year ahead.
Song pick: Chebba
FELUKAH
All of the work Felukah puts into her music paid off big time with the huge year she had in 2022. The New York-based Egyptian artist was part of the Coca-Cola World Cup campaign that we mentioned earlier alongside Danna Paola and Tamtam, and followed that up with the release her latest album, The Love Serum. Felukah is poised for a massive year in 2023 and continuing her creative reign as the “neo-soul artist bringing the Nile to New York”.
Song pick: Baby Woke Up
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Anees, Dareen, Moudy Al Arabe, Blu Fiefer, Freek, Ss.hh.a.n.a., Perrie, Blvxb, Intibint, and Soulja
Check out the Spotify Playlist Danny has put together a playlist featuring all of these up and coming artists.