In August 1973, a man named Clive Campbell threw a back-to-school party with his little sister Cindy at an apartment in The Bronx NYC. He played James Brown and Aretha Franklin, but it was the way in which he played it that would change everything. Clive was also known as DJ Kool Herc, and his process of playing the same record on two turntables, switching and looping between the two would signal the birth of hip-hop.
That moment is celebrated today by Spotify’s Hip-Hop Turns 50 Hub, offering access to all the data-driven and editorially curated playlists, as well as dedicated shelves for the 50 most-streamed rappers and hip-hop albums on Spotify. We’re happy to says that global hub also tells the story of Arab hip-hop, too, featuring playlists like ABATERA, the largest urban playlist in Morocco; Melouk El Scene, featuring the best of local hip-hop in Egypt; Rap El Khaleej, offering the freshest Khaleeji hip-hop tracks; and Arab Hip-Hop, showcasing the finest rap tracks from all corners of the region.
The top 5 Arab countries driving hip-hop streaming growth
Hip-hop streaming in the Arab world has witnessed tremendous growth since 2020, with Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia leading the way. Morocco leads the way, with a 220 percent increase in hip-hop consumption since 2020. Egypt follows closely behind with a 479 percent increase, while Algeria, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia have also shown impressive growth with increases of 136 percent, 143 percent, and 84 percent, respectively. These countries are now at the forefront of the genre’s increasing popularity and influence in the region, signalling a shift from Arab underground to a mainstream cultural force.
The most listened to Arab hip-hop artists and songs on Spotify across the region
According to Spotify data, the top-streamed Arab hip-hop artist of all time across the MENA region is the genre-bending artist Wegz, followed closely by Moroccan rapper ElGrandeToto. Marwan Moussa and Marwan Pablo from Egypt come in at third and fourth place, with the Moroccan-Cameroonian artist Tagne rounding out the top five.
The mix of emerging and established artists in the hip-hop scene is witnessed in Spotify’s top five list for most-streamed Arab hip-hop songs across the region for 2023, with tracks like “Freedom Music: Scene Cypher 3” by FL EX, Husayn, Lil Noby, Tommy, and Wingii taking the top spot. Other notable tracks include “Qui sait?” by Niro featuring ElGrandeToto and “M3a L3echrane” by Dizzy DROS.
“In the heart of the Arab world, where ancient oral traditions mix with modern rhythms, hip-hop has emerged as a formidable force for self-expression,” says Mark Abou Jaoude, Head of Music for Spotify MENA. “Initially, it served as a platform for marginalised voices, a storyteller documenting both struggles and triumphs. Today, hip-hop’s influence is felt in every aspect of culture, from cinema to fashion, making it a household name. With our Hip-Hop Turns 50 Hub, we are celebrating Arab hip-hop and the creators who have redefined the genre and inspired us with their stories,”
The month-long hub boasts over 40 Global Hip-Hop playlists, each representing different eras, regions, and trends, providing a comprehensive view of the genre’s growth over the past half-century. Head here to find Spotify’s Hip-Hop Turns 50 Hub, and listen to some of Spotify’s top picks via the 50 years of Hip-Hop podcast shelf.
Main image: Amina Zaher