From the Ground Up: Rappers’ Early Tracks VS Their Biggest Hits

From humble beginnings to breakout hits, we take a look back at the journeys shared by some of the region’s biggest rap stars.

Success stories are a cornerstone lyrical theme of hip-hop, reflecting the nature of rap culture and its roots. Some might say that the genre itself is a success story, born in often-overlooked and marginalized communities before rising to prominence over time, overtaking the mainstream music industry to become the world’s leading sound. Rappers frequently discuss and celebrate their rise, taking pride in the struggles they’ve overcome to beat the odds.

If you were a hip-hop head back in 2016, navigating Egypt’s sparse rap scene and bumping Dama and Abyusif on SoundCloud, it wouldn’t have occurred to you that these artists – recording in their bedrooms with humble equipment and delivering unfiltered messages – might one day become some of the biggest stars in music. A track exceeding 200,000 plays on SoundCloud was considered a major hit within the rap community. Music videos were a rarity, and when they existed, they were often poorly shot due to limited resources. There was no PR, no media support, and no polished image to rely on.

What arguably propelled Egyptian rap to prominence was the very thing that can never be replicated now: its raw and unfiltered beginnings. Today, with rappers reaching the upper echelons of the music industry, the genre has outgrown its humble origins, expanding its reach while maintaining its momentum. From the ground up, these artists started with almost nothing and achieved extraordinary success, defying the odds to reach the top.

Here, we trace the journeys of some of these rappers, from their early beginnings to their breakout hits that transcended the rap demographic, garnered millions of views, and introduced new audiences to the genre, all while documenting their rise.

MARWAN PABLO

Nos5a Wa7a (2016)
El Mabda2 (2023)
WEGZ

Batalo Fake ft. Hesham Raptor (2017)
El Bakht (2022)
LEGE-CY

3La 7Saby (2018)
Mafesh Mane3 (2020)

MOUSV

SAA’E3 (2019)
SAFINA (2021)

ABYUSIF

Balakona (2012)
Kan Fi Sora (2022)

MARWAN MOUSSA

Shata2er (2018)
Sheraton (2020)

ZIAD ZAZA

Kareeta Sarifa (2022)
Sam3 Akhina (2023)