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What To Know
- From North Africa to the Levant and the Gulf, a new generation of Arab singers is gaining international attention for their authenticity, genre-blending sound and global appeal.
- With a powerful voice and distinctive style, Elyanna has quickly become a global Arab music icon.
- UAE-based Somali artist Freek is a leading figure in Arabic drill and underground rap.
Arab music is entering a powerful new era. From North Africa to the Levant and the Gulf, a new generation of Arab singers is gaining international attention for their authenticity, genre-blending sound and global appeal.
As Arab artists increasingly cross borders and cultures, their music is resonating far beyond the region. From pop and RnB to hip-hop, electro-tarab and experimental fusion, these are 16 emerging Arab singers to watch in 2026.
Amira Adeeb (Egypt)
Egyptian artist Amira Adeeb began her creative journey as an actress before transitioning into music in 2024. Her sound blends pop and Arabic hip-hop with witty, confident lyricism. Known for visually striking music videos and energetic choreography, her standout tracks include Kart Ma7roo2, TASBEERA and ELRA7!.
Amira Jazeera (Palestine / USA)
Based in Chicago, Amira Jazeera describes herself as a “Palestinian Pop Princess.” Drawing inspiration from 80s and 2000s pop, RnB and Arabic samples, her music features emotional storytelling and catchy hooks. Tracks like Still Think ’Bout Me and Hypnotizing highlight her polished pop sound.
Bayou (Egypt)
Egypt-born and US-educated, Bayou fuses RnB with Egyptian melodies and scales. Influenced by artists ranging from Mohamed Mounir to Frank Ocean, his honeyed vocals and poetic lyrics shine in songs like Maghreb, Casablanca and Ya Zeina.
Bedouin Burger (Syria / Lebanon)
Image: bedouinburger/Instagram
The duo Bedouin Burger, made up of Lynn Adib and Zeid Hamdan, has helped redefine Arab alternative music. Their signature “electro-tarab” sound blends maqam, Levantine rhythms and electronic production. Tracks like Nomad and Ya Habibi Taala resonate strongly with the Arab diaspora.
Dafencii (Sudan / Saudi Arabia)
A genre-defying Sudanese-Saudi artist, Dafencii blends Sudanese rhythms, Arabic melodies and American hip-hop. His introspective lyrics and multilingual flow are evident in tracks like Rajieen and El Maktoob.
DYSTINCT (Morocco / Belgium)
One of the most-streamed Arab artists globally, DYSTINCT blends Arabic, French and international pop influences. His chart-topping hits such as Ghazali and TekTek have earned him massive followings across Europe and the MENA region.
Elyanna (Palestine / Chile)
With a powerful voice and distinctive style, Elyanna has quickly become a global Arab music icon. After performing with Coldplay at Glastonbury and appearing on Saturday Night Live, she continues to redefine Arab pop with tracks like Ana Lahale and Ala Bali.
Freek (UAE)
Image: freektv/Instagram
UAE-based Somali artist Freek is a leading figure in Arabic drill and underground rap. Mixing trap beats with Emirati cultural influences, songs like Abdi Abdi and Nafs Al Shy have earned him fans across the Arab world and beyond.
Felukah (Egypt)
Image: felukah/Instagram
Often compared to Erykah Badu, Felukah blends soul, rap, jazz and Afrofuturism. Switching between Arabic and English, her music explores identity and womanhood through tracks like Egyptian Lover and Hayati.
Miraa May (Algeria / UK)
Image: miraa_may/Instagram
London-based Miraa May weaves North African roots into RnB, grime and soul. Her emotionally rich tracks, including No Love and Blessed, reflect the experiences of the Arab diaspora in the UK.
Nai Barghouti (Palestine)
A classically trained vocalist, Nai Barghouti fuses Arabic music, jazz and Western classical styles. Her unique vocal technique, “naistrumentation,” sets her apart, with songs like Li Fairuz highlighting her deep cultural roots.
Saint Levant (Palestine)
Originally from Gaza, Saint Levant has emerged as one of the most recognisable Arab artists globally. Known for multilingual tracks and activism, songs like KALAMANTINA and DO YOU LOVE ME? showcase his versatility.
Sara (Palestine / Jordan)
Based in Los Angeles, Sara delivers genre-spanning music with a soft, emotive voice reminiscent of classic Arab divas. Tracks such as Layali and Al Ayam highlight her wide creative range.
Tul8te (Egypt)
Image: tul8te/ Instagram
Often performing anonymously, Tul8te blends Spanish-influenced guitar with Arabic pop. His romantic sound and mystery have made tracks like El Hob Gany and LAYALINA favourites among young listeners.
Zeina (Lebanon)
With playful pop anthems and bold lyrics, Zeina is positioning herself as a potential new Arab pop queen. Tracks like Jananto and Dalou3a reflect a fresh, confident take on Arab pop music.
Zeyne (Jordan / Palestine)
Zeyne found her sound during the Covid-19 lockdowns, leading to her critically acclaimed debut album Awda. Songs like Asli Ana and Bali are deeply rooted in heritage and self-expression.
Cover Image: dystinct1, elyanna, saintlevant, zeyne/Instagram
