If you had told us a couple months ago that Libya would play host to a festival so off-the-charts, we would’ve looked at you like you were crazy. But against all odds, the North African country managed to pull off one of the Arab World’s most impressive line-ups— featuring the likes of Moroccan MC ElGrandeToto, Egyptian rapper Marwan Moussa, and Tunisian disc-spinner DJBlackJack— against a backdrop that a handful of years ago was marred by political instability and harsh economic conditions. Over the course of two weeks, from Aug. 1 to Aug. 16, Benghazi Summer Festival (BSF) managed to transform Libya from a “maybe next time” destination to a must-visit city this summer season by attracting local, regional, and international hip-hop heads all in one place.
Obviously, MILLE was in town to cover the milestone event, where we bumped into Egyptian star Wegz, who agreed to sit down with us and share some of his thoughts ahead of his first-ever performance in Libya.
@milleworlddotcom @Wegz PERFORMING ‘دورك جي’ IN #LIBYA ♬ original sound – milleworlddotcom
Spotted lounging by the pool at Atlantis Hotel— the five-star resort that accommodated all BSF performers and official press conferences— the 25-year-old artist seemed completely at ease, almost fully relaxed, with just a few hours left before taking the stage to deliver his repertoire of classics. According to him, this newfound sense of tranquility emerged after a long period of second-guessing and doubt leading up to this trip.
“I never had any bookings from Libya, so I had to ask questions. People around me were like, ‘My gosh, are you actually going?’ and I was just like, ‘I think I am’”Wegz told MILLE. “I have to be honest, when I landed, I was amazed by how beautiful everything is and how welcoming the people are. It reminded me a lot of home because it’s close—same things, same habits, very similar to what I grew up around,” he continued, adding that he had “no particular expectations” prior to his arrival other than making sure that he and his were going to be safe and sound. “We communicated with organizers, and they said everything is settled. Everything was smooth from the moment we landed, and honestly, it doesn’t feel like this is their first time given how they’ve sorted everything out,” he shared.
Reflecting on his experience since touching down, Wegz revealed feeling “less pressured” knowing there are so many talented performers around. “It’s comforting to know that if I mess up, they can carry the show,” he laughed. “My favorites in the lineup are Samara and Toto. Toto is a good friend, and we’ve worked together before—I love his music, and he knows it. Samara and I met for the first time yesterday but we’ve been pen-friends for a while. I find the way he writes his lyrics really inspiring,” he revealed, adding that he’s impressed with where the musical landscape in North Africa is right now. “The music is fresh, and it’s proving that we can create sounds that represent who we are and introduce us to the world,” he explained.
@milleworlddotcom @ELGRANDETOTO 🇲🇦 AND @Wegz SHOWING LOVE FOR PALESTINE IN #BENGHAZI, #LIBYA ♬ original sound – milleworlddotcom
Besides making his debut in a country few would’ve guessed he’d perform in so soon, Wegz shared that he’s currently laying low, taking time to reflect on how he wants to approach his next releases. He’s in no rush, focusing on making sure that when he steps back into the spotlight, it’ll be on his own terms.
“So far, I’ve been keeping things low-key for a minute. I’m not retired, I’m still making music. I don’t need anything to be rushed. If it’s for the people, then it’s not genuine. I want to make music because I want to make music, even if I’m going to share with people, I want to do it for myself first,” the Amira singer shared.
“Everyone needs to recharge and recenter. But besides that, I feel like we’re trying to lead a new sound in the Middle East, and we’re trying to collaborate with everyone that we know to make it sound better. We have to make it better because I’m assuming we’re not the best in the world,” he noted, emphasizing on the lack of equipment in the region which tangibly limits the quality of what can be produced. “From a technical perspective, we’re short on equipment and sound systems. I have the means to get these things, but not everyone does. My team and I are striving to bridge the gap in the music scene here,” he expanded.
@milleworlddotcom @Wegz PERFORMING ‘KEIFY KEDA’ LIVE FROM #BENGHAZI ♬ original sound – milleworlddotcom
Establishing yourself as a guiding force is no small feat or task— especially when it’s something you’re managing alongside everything else on your plate. We’d even say that breaking new grounds in an unexpected direction requires more than just talent as it demands both vision and grit, two qualities that obviously come with their own load of responsibility.
“It’s a bit of pressure because you worry about how your colleagues might react, or if they’ll even understand what we’re doing and what we have in mind,” he admitted. “But that will change when they eventually start feeling the music. Next year, I want everyone to understand the difference between me and everyone else in Egypt and beyond. I want to collaborate with people who share the same mentality and vision.”
Sitting at the helm of this creative process can, of course, be challenging, and maintaining a balanced perspective is crucial, though it is not always easy. On this matter, Wegz emphasized that personal taste is just one aspect of the larger picture, as trusting your close circle of friends and collaborators allows for a more diverse and well-rounded approach, ultimately leading to a more refined and impactful outcome.
“My personal taste plays less than 50% of the role. If someone is at the top, there’s a reason for it. I’m not a dictator—I prefer to listen to everyone and consider what they bring to the table. It can be frustrating, like any job. But I focus on the process, not just the outcome,” he shared. “Frustration often means you’re on the brink of creating something great or have lost sight of why you started. That’s when it’s important to step back, recharge, and come back with fresh energy.”
