Many might not want to admit it, but Dubai is one of the region’s catalyzing cities for all things rap and hip-hop. Its infrastructure, coupled with its status as a melting pot of nationalities and a hotbed of lucrative financial opportunities, has transformed the former fishing village into the ultimate place to take one’s career to the next level. Although its own soundscape isn’t necessarily the loudest when compared to cities like Cairo or Casablanca, the UAE’s rap scene still deserves close attention. Labeled as an experimental space where boundaries are constantly pushed by avid listeners, the city is home to a crop of talented musicians making a name for themselves in their own right. At the forefront of this new wave of creatives stands 22-year-old rapper UglyMoss, born Mostafa Wadah, who is widely considered one of the Gulf city’s best young MCs.
Of Syrian and Egyptian descent, the Dubai-born, raised, and based artist excels in a pocket of music many would find difficult to describe. “I always imagined my sound as a portal you don’t know what to expect from once you pass through it,” as Wadah tells it. Carrying a sound that meshes old-school rock with new-wave rap, the young artist seems to be one of the very few from the Arab World actively exploring this specific genre, making him one of the pioneers of a register he likes to call “rage” and “super trap.” Think if your dad’s favorite rock band and your brother’s hypebeast sensitivities came together at once— a perfect storm of influences the rising star proudly embraces.
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“I was initially brought to these genres as they allowed me to be myself and speak freely with confidence about anything ranging from sharing deep thoughts to conveying a particular message all while doing it in a cool way,” he told MILLE. “You can dance to my music, or maybe even cry or jump to it— all that matters is that it’s always there for people to go back to and find a moment of escape,” he explained.
“I tap into my own life experiences to find inspiration and write bars,” the 22-year-old confessed, stressing how his surroundings, friendships, and relationships all collectively play a role in shaping his lyrical content and artistic direction. He also credits a range of artists for being the backbone behind his musical taste. “I listened to plenty of Mike Dean and I feel like he’s one of my main influences. I also used to listen to a lot of Lil Wayne, ASAP Rocky, as well as a lot of underground rappers from Atlanta, which all have something to do with the energy I put into my craft,” he revealed, adding that this same crop of rappers also happened to collaterally influence his stage name.
“Initially, I was considering something along the lines of ‘Lil Moss’ or ‘Yung Moss,’ but I felt like it was overused and I wanted to stand out in a way,” he mused, “so I settled with ‘UglyMoss’ which— as random as it was at the time— has stuck with me ever since.”
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Like most of us, the artist’s passion for music developed from an early age. Reminiscing on his childhood, the artist revealed always being surrounded by music in some way or form, especially when around his grandparents’ who had an Abdel Halim cassette he’d repeatedly play until exhaustion. He also noted that oud chords were regularly struck at home, paving the way for his current deep appreciation and understanding of music from a young age. His stepping stone into rap though came from an unexpected encounter that eventually changed the course of his life. “I remember bumping into a rapper once at my area’s park and from then I figured that I wanted to shell bars for a living,” he recalled before sharing his two cents on the current health of Dubai’s hip-hop scene.
“The scene here is very curious. Every year, there is growth which all artists have something to do with,” he enthusiastically shared. “Although my listeners mainly come from Egypt, we have been noticing a real community starting to gather right here. An authentic network is being built, which is great and it’s only getting better,” he continued. “My team and I are working towards changing the status quo, it’s only a matter of time before things change.”
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On a staunch mission to redefine the parameters of an entire industry, the Toosie singer has also shown keen interest in modeling over the years, lending his face to several renowned brands in the past. So far, noteworthy campaigns include Bloomingdale’s, Adidas, as well as Loveclosely’s collaboration with BMW for Sole DXB. Reflecting on his handful of stints, the rapper revealed that “fashion and music make one in (his) mind,” and that he has kept a close eye on the world of haute couture thanks to ASAP Rocky and Rick Owen’s era-defining works and style. “I’m adamant that soon I’ll be a creative who will model, build his own lines, and do music all together at the same time,” he confidently shared. Other short-term goals include “touring 24/7, being on the road, and taking flights back-to-back.”
“In a handful of years from now I see myself as one of the region’s greatest. Hopefully, I will take Arab music to the next level and inspire a whole new generation to push the boundaries even further,” he concluded.
