For those of you who need a friendly reminder: Sudan is still going through one of the worst humanitarian crises of the moment, with a devastating conflict sweeping through the country and claiming many lives along its way. So far, the situation in the North African country has been labeled by many as the “forgotten war” due to the scarce attention the conflict has been receiving both regionally and internationally. According to several reports, over 150,000 people have lost their lives, while over 11 million have been displaced since April 2023. And despite these daunting numbers, the situation somehow remains at the periphery of global attention.
Amidst all this loss, music from Sudan still continues to shine, tuning listeners from all four corners of the planet into the bleak reality unfolding on the ground. Artists, both at home and in the diaspora, are creating sounds that carry the weight of their own respective experiences, attempting to make their troubles heard against all odds.
To celebrate this new wave of musicians and their sonic art, below, we gathered a non-comprehensive list of Sudanese artists to pay close attention to in the weeks and months to come.
Hyper 249
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Hyper249’s viral hit Kanet Ayam Ya Watany (Those Were Days, My Country) captivated the ears of many with its heady combination. “They slayed our country, split her inheritance, swore to protect her with their dirty hands,” he spits over a soft beat, before taking aim at the belligerents behind the ongoing war. “F— Hemedti, f— the khaki, f— the day that brought you here.” Ever since this hard-hitting track was released, Hyper 249 has been on a steady rise, with his latest drop, featuring Saudi producer Warchieff titled Asfar, solidifying his status as a bold voice slicing through the region’s soundscape.
Veto
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If there’s one thing Veto knows, it’s how to grab attention. Recently featured on viral hip-hop platform Rap Shar3 alongside Hyper249, his track Khayana (Betrayal) echoed across the internet thanks to its raw chants that sear into your memory. His lyrical depth is a torchbearer for the region’s poetic and rebellious spirit, making him an artist that is impossible to ignore.
Rama Osman
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Emerging from the cultural crossroads of Khartoum and the United States, Rama Osman is on her way to rewriting the rules of modern jazz and soul with her tender voice. Raised in a Muslim household, her narrative is a visceral clash of heritage and rebellion, where the weight of tradition collides with the urgency of self-expression. Inspired by icons like Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, her sound is an eerie, hypnotic, exploration of pain and power, dripping with raw emotion and unapologetic vulnerability.
Adiga Band
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Formed in 2016, Dubai-based Sudanese trio Adiga blends their rustic roots and cutting-edge experimentation of sound to provide music that fuses the raw soul of the past with the uncharted edge of the future, creating a genre-bending alchemy that feels both ancient and unapologetically modern.
MaMan
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MaMan, born Mahdi Ali Nouri, is a Sudanese rapper, singer, and producer, carving out his own space in the global music scene. Drawing inspiration from the golden age of Sudanese music and his diverse upbringing, MaMan’s tracks blend personal experiences with universal themes. His debut EP, Eyes of a Gemini, delves into the inner conflict of his dual identities, while his later works like 1991 and Shammasi explore everything from generational struggles to the complexities of mental health. Passionate about music as a tool for societal change, MaMan’s art continues to resonate, both locally and internationally, with loyal fans and first time listeners each time he drops a track.
Gaidaa
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Gaidaa is the genre-blurring voice shaking up R&B with raw emotion and overflowing energy. Born in the Netherlands to Sudanese parents, she crafts a sound that’s both introspective and boundary-breaking. Her breakout moment on Full Crate’s A Storm On A Summers Day marked her as an artist to keep under the radar, with bilingual lyricism and vocals that feel like a whisper and a cry all at once. Repeatedly seen diving headfirst into themes of identity, displacement, and self-discovery, her sound moves effortlessly between stripped-down intimacy and lush, atmospheric worlds, carving out a niche where the personal experiences collide with more universal narratives.
Dua Saleh
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Widely known as Cal Bowman from Sex Education, Dua Saleh is a Sudanese-American non-binary artist who crafts a strikingly original sound, melding haunting metal riffs with soulful melodies that explore the tensions of identity, queerness, and heritage. Raised between several cultures, their sonic works channel these complexities into their music, which refuses to fit neatly into any box.
Elemiene
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Elemiene’s vocal chords don’t just sing—they narrate the Sudanese experience with every note. His sound is polished, his delivery fluid, but his roots are firmly planted in his own heritage. His music is a rare combination of tradition and innovation that makes him one of the most exciting acts to emerge.
Alemeda
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Ethiopian-Sudanese-American artist Alemeda was Top Dawg Entertainment’s very first artist carving out a name for herself with quippy rock bangers that her breathy voice makes sound deceivingly gentle. Channeling the essence of angst in her music, she is definitely one to watch in our books.
G-Salih
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Sudanese-American rapper G-Salih’s lyrical journey is reminiscent of the glory days of hip-hop, where hard-hitting truth was the precedent. Having never stopped delivering creatively-crafted narratives that are honest and introspective in nature, it’s clear that the rapper spends mindful time punctuating his lyrics. In an ever-so-suave fashion, he uses his craft to unpack the many mysteries of just simply being a human being, where he shares revelatory self-portraits through his work. His lyrics consistently act as a form of commentary reflecting the state of the world we live in, covering a plethora of subjects ranging from anxiety, fears, and doubts to motivational sonic speeches and anthem about his homeland.
Montiyago
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Montiyago has the kind of flow that sneaks up on you. His lyricism is sharp, and his hooks are infectious. Merging regional influences with hip-hop’s timeless appeal, his repeated collaborations with Egyptian producer 77 serve as a testament to his versatility once behind a mic.
Walgz
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Walgz is carving his niche with gritty, yet sultry vocals. With tracks like Sasa and 7ako 7ako, he’s garnered attention across the region, offering a sound that blends smooth lyricism with rough-around-the-edges authenticity. He’s just getting started, and the best is yet to come.
Mvndila
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Mvndila’s music is personal and emotional, capturing the pain and hope of Sudan’s youth. With influences from both Sudan’s traditional sounds and modern hip-hop, he creates deeply moving work that mirrors the emotional toll of living between two cultures.
Connan
Connan’s laid-back style and sharp verses give him a unique edge in Sudan’s rap scene. Born in Khartoum but raised in Egypt, his fusion of trap and Afrobeats create a sound that feels both familiar and fresh, earning him a place at the forefront of Sudanese rap.
Fodi
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Fodi’s afrobeat-infused trap sound made him an instant staple in Sudan’s rap scene. As a member of the SVNBIRDS collective, he continues to push the boundaries of Sudanese hip-hop with Planet X, a project that continuously showcases his sharp production and lyrical depth.
All-moony
All-moony’s experimental rap is built on intricate beats and smooth flows. Influenced by the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Earl Sweatshirt, his music is a blend of introspection and rhythm, navigating both English and Arabic to create a sound that is distinctly his.
