Voices of the Region: Rising Stars Reshaping the MENA Music Scene

Once upon a playlist, music was something you stumbled upon – through the radio, Bluetooth transfers, or that one cousin who always had the best taste. Today, discovery has a sleek new interface and over 675 million users behind it. Platforms like Spotify have made it easier than ever to find your sound - and yet, in a world where algorithms auto-suggest what we’ll like before we do, the most exciting music often comes from the least expected places.

Enter the Middle East and North Africa - a region whose musical heart beats with raw talent, rhythm and reinvention. Here, a new generation of artists is turning local stories into global soundtracks, blending centuries-old traditions with street-smart swagger and soul. From Cairo to Casablanca, from Riyadh to Rabat, artists from the region are challenging clichés, reclaiming identity and reminding the world that art can't be boxed in by borders or algorithms.

Spotify, in its global reach, holds a paradox: it can nudge us toward sameness, or spotlight the voices that break the mould. Through its RADAR Arabia initiative, it’s choosing the latter, offering tools, stages, and visibility to MENA’s boldest new artists.

“It’s an incredible time for Arabic music and Arab artists,” says Mark Abou Jaoude, Spotify’s Head of Music for the MENAP region. “We’re thrilled to witness the amazing journeys of these artists on our platform - from entering flagship playlists to, in some cases, even climbing our Global Viral Charts. From our RADAR Arabia program to Times Square billboard features that showcase their artistry on a global stage, we’re committed to supporting their careers with the tools, education, and promotional support they need to continue thriving”.

L’Officiel Arabia, in collaboration with Spotify, shines a light on six standout talents redefining the MENA music landscape.

NAJM
Morocco’s Bold New Voice of The Youth

At just 19, rising Moroccan rapper Najm is the first artist from the country to be selected for Spotify’s RADAR Arabia program. His 2024 track “NDAM”, which translates to “regret” gained over 1.5 million streams on Spotify, and is inspired by his personal journey of ambition, pressure and making the right choices.

Najm’s latest EP "SAV!OR" showcases his talent as a composer and songwriter, cementing his position as one of the most-streamed artists on Spotify in Morocco today. From creating music for fun to having his own billboard in Times Square, Najm’s impressive rise on the national and international music scene is cheered by influential figures in Moroccan urban music such as Stormy, Shobee and Manal.

Najm is soon to headline his first concert, Najm & Stars, in Rabat supported by Spotify, inviting 100 of his top listeners on the platform to attend. With over 100,000 monthly listeners and a growing international fanbase in France, Spain, Algeria, and Indonesia, Najm is living his music dream, and the best is yet to come.

najmtayer

Djmubarak
Saudi Soul with Global Vibes

Originally from Saudi Arabia, Djmubarak started his musical path with covers and self-written tracks. His signature sound - a soulful fusion of modern rap with Saudi traditions, caught the attention of Rap Shar3 - a platform that highlights emerging rappers and street performers across the MENA region and later, Spotify’s RADAR Arabia.

His most streamed track, "Hazen El-Waqt", (2.6M+ streams) and  "Ana Tayer"  (nearly 1M streams) blend traditional Saudi Arabian Ghazal style influences with raw, unfiltered emotion. Djmubarak views his work as a cultural bridge, bringing Saudi heritage into the global music conversation while preserving its authenticity.

With 84,000+ monthly listeners across Riyadh, Dubai, Jeddah and Cairo, Djmubarak continues to explore fresh sounds and push creative boundaries, while staying true to his vision as an artist.

djmubarak

 

Lella Fadda
Fierce, Poetic and Unfiltered  

Raised between Milan and Cairo, Egyptian-Italian artist Lella Fadda boldly explores themes such as betrayal, resilience and womanhood in Egypt. Her debut single “El Wa’t Msh Beyaadi” sparked attention in 2020, and she continues to impress with tracks like “El Donia Beta3ti” and “Malleit”,  with a growing fan base of over 239,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

Fusing industrial sounds and Arabic poetics into a distinctive style, Lella’s debut album MAGNÜN in January 2025 has amassed over 11 million streams, leading to a celebrated performance on global music platform COLORS with her track “Tarat Tarat Tat.” She also made her Dubai debut in partnership with Nuit de Folie and Arab pop night series Disco Dabke, captivating audiences with her magnetic presence.

With a fanbase that spans France, Germany, the UK and the US, Lella’s rising trajectory is a testament to the universality of her sound. Her sharp, commanding vocals cut through borders and genres, positioning her as a defining voice of a bold new era in music.

lellafadda

Mishaal Tamer
The Sound of Borderless Beats  

Born in Jeddah and raised between cultures, Mishaal Tamer is among the first Saudi-Ecuadorian artists to achieve global recognition. His 10-second track which was created right after Saudi Arabia lifted its music ban, “can’t love myself” went viral in 2017, paving the way for millions of Spotify streams and a worldwide fanbase.

His trilingual debut “Arabian Knights” (2019) sung in Arabic, Spanish, and English, marked his entry into the international music scene, followed by a record deal and a grand tour in 2023 with none other than OneRepublic. With nearly 2 million monthly listeners, Mishaal is a trailblazer whose music has appeared on Spotify’s Viral Charts in Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador.

His recent single “ITTY BITTY” reached No. 1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 in Mexico. With top listeners in the U.S., Germany, Colombia and Indonesia, Mishaal’s multicultural background and genre-defying sound represent the future of Arab artistry on a global stage.

mishaaltamer