The Best Arabic Tracks of 2025 So Far

New year, new music

We’re barely a month into 2025, and let’s just say the year is already giving… mixed reviews. As always, the beginning of the year throws us into a whirlwind of newness: shifting fashion trends, a fresh crop of buzzwords, political chaos, and societal shifts we can barely keep up with anymore. But let’s leave the doomscrolling behind for a minute, because if there’s one thing that reliably delivers, it’s music.

Every year cracks open a portal to uncharted sounds, emerging artists, and arabic tracks that make you hit “repeat” like it’s a reflex. With just 27 days in, 2025 is already making its statement. Whether you’re into hip-hop, R&B, and everything in between, here are some of the best Arabic tracks that have hit differently so far.

‘Exile’ – Saint Levant

On Jan. 14, part-Palestinian artist Saint Levant dropped Exile, a track dripping with melancholy and nostalgia, paired with a cinematic visual directed by Algerian filmmaker Lyna Zerrouki. The video is pure art—think raw emotions and striking contrasts that echo the track’s haunting lyrics: “Too many memories that I made, away from the place I belong.” It’s the kind of song that lingers in your chest long after it ends.

‘Made in the Emirates Vol. 1’ – Vinyl Souk

Vinyl culture is alive and thriving in the UAE, thanks to Vinyl Souk DXB. Their debut compilation, Made in the Emirates Vol. 1, is a love letter to the region’s evolving music scene. Released through Vinyl Souk Records, this nine-track project showcases a diverse range of genres—psychedelic funk, Khaleeji folk, jazz, electronica, and indie rock. The standout? Hanan by UAE-based Sudanese band. It’s a hypnotic blend of rustic Sudanese vibes laced with jazzy, soulful smoothness that you’ll keep coming back to.

‘Ma3 El Salama’ – Marwan Moussa & Eslam Kabonga

Red Bull’s Sikka series has mastered the art of musical alchemy, and the latest episode is no different. Egyptian rapper Marwan Moussa teams up with shaabi powerhouse Eslam Kabonga to create Ma3 El Salama—a wild fusion of two wildly different styles. The result? Let’s just say you’ll want to see (and hear) it for yourself.

‘Matafi’ – Ma-Beyn

Egyptian-Palestinian artist Ma-Beyn is back with another introspective gem. Matafi is a sonic deep dive into the collective existential crisis we’re all pretending not to have. With lyrics like “Oh people, tell me, where are we? Where are we going? Who’s driving? And are they looking at their rearview mirrors?”It’s poetry for the chaotic souls navigating 2025’s bumpy start.

‘Olvidar’ – Morad

Moroccan-Spanish rapper Morad knows how to keep us hooked—even if you’re not fluent in Spanish. His latest, Olvidar, is hypnotic, rhythmic, and a pure vibe. Sure, non-Spanish speakers might only catch a word or two, but the energy hits so hard you don’t need to understand every lyric to feel it.

‘TABBAN’ – Fawzi & Daboor

BLTNM strikes again. Three weeks ago, Fawzi and Daboor teamed up for Tabban, a gritty rap track with a CCTV-styled video that’s as raw as it gets. The duo’s chemistry is electric, bouncing off each other to deliver a track that’s as badass as it is addictive. Another win for BLTNM’s ever-expanding arsenal.

Also Read: The 10 Best Arabic Songs of the Year

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