Saudi Arabia's rap scene is experiencing a vibrant renaissance, with artists pushing boundaries and gaining international recognition. In a country known for its rich cultural heritage, these rappers are blending traditional influences with contemporary sounds to create a unique musical landscape. As we head into 2024, here are eleven Saudi rappers who are not just making waves but also shaping the future of hip-hop in the Kingdom. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the scene, these artists are essential additions to your playlist.
Ntitled
Striving to carve out a unique sound in the burgeoning Saudi music scene. Influenced by the surrounding culture and art, he tells stories through his versatile and distinct production style. Growing up with lyricists like Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, J Dilla, and 9th Wonder, he aims to blend the inspirations from these legends with his Saudi roots. Ntitled has released several projects, including "Can I Get a Minute," "Xtra Crispy," and "Adan," as well as numerous singles such as "Ween Yabu" feat DAFENCII, "MOYA WA ZEIT" feat Walgz and many more.
Lil Eazy
Abubakar Al Jilany, known as Lil Eazy, is a Saudi-Somalian hip-hop artist raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Since his debut in 2007, Eazy has risen to prominence as one of the leading rap stars in the region, releasing several hit songs including "Millionaire," "Mathaher," and "Dripping." His unique style has helped him stand out in the crowded Saudi rap scene.
Notably, he was selected to feature on the KSA version of the official anthem for the 2018 World Cup, "Colors," alongside Jason Derulo and Aseel Omran, which brought him significant media attention across TV, radio, and print outlets. Eazy has signed with Jeddah Legends and the Bahrain-based label Outlaw Productions, and shows no signs of slowing down.
Moayad Al Nefaie
Moayad Al Nefaie epitomizes the ultimate Saudi multihyphenate. Starting his professional journey as a doctor, Al Nefaie has since expanded his career to include roles as a musician, writer, actor, and comedian. His creative path began in 2011 while still working in the medical field, as he started pursuing entertainment alongside the popular platform Telfaz11.
Al Nefaie captivated global audiences with his acting and writing roles on Telfaz11’s numerous shows, building a substantial fan base and garnering millions of views. As standup comedy gained traction in Saudi Arabia, he emerged as a pioneer in the field, eventually earning his own Netflix special.
His artistic pursuits didn't stop there; Al Nefaie ventured into music, particularly rap, collaborating with a group of rappers. Following several successful tracks that achieved multi-million streams, he continues to refine his musical craft, solidifying his place in the entertainment industry.
Jeed
Majeed Alzayer, also known as Jeed, is a prominent hip-hop musician in Saudi Arabia and the founder of the creative marketing agency "HRMNY," which operates in Riyadh and Dubai. Jeed is a key figure in the Middle Eastern hip-hop scene, known for his distinctive sound and impactful records that have climbed the charts and graced major stages. He has performed alongside notable artists such as 6lack, Septa, H.E.R., and Anderson Paak, cementing his status as a staple in the region's music industry.
Aziz.Wav
Aziz.Wav is the latest artist making waves in Saudi Arabia's burgeoning music scene. Born and raised in Riyadh, Aziz was exposed to a wide range of music genres, which sparked his interest in music as a hobby and eventually led to the release of his own tracks. His debut single, "Wave Tide," released in September 2021, garnered international attention.
Since then, he has released several singles including "Talk to me nice, "2AM" and a collaboration with producer Jbmadeit, who has worked with artists like Drake and French Montana, and Saudi artist Kali-B. Additionally, he has released an EP titled "Oceana" with Saudi producer NBL, who has collaborated with some of the region's top artists. Aziz is also releasing a single by the name of "Lusting" on May 31st
Read More: Meet Aziz.wav, The New Artist Starting a Wave Tide From Riyadh To The World. (visionary-mag.com)
BLVXB
A Saudi Arabian rapper, BLVXB is definitely underrated but is making significant strides in the hip-hop scene. He tackles important issues that no other Saudi rapper is addressing, earning attention from an underground Saudi fan base. With his unique approach and impactful lyrics, Jeed is poised to become one of the top three Saudi rappers in the coming years.
Aj Truth
AJ Truth, a rising rapper from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is known for his ability in channeling honesty through his lyrics and address real-life events that have shaped his journey. AJ’s interest in music began at age 5 while watching artists perform on satellite television where he discovered his passion for music.
Drawing inspiration from hip-hop artists like Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, and Take Off, in 2017, AJ released his first track receiving recognition from his friends and community, driving him to persist in his musical career. In 2023, AJ won the MDL BEAST / X-Perform Competition which led to his performance at Jeddah’s F1 2024.
Today AJ is a multi-faceted rapper, vocal producer and acclaimed mix & mastering engineer in his genre regionally with dreams of touring globally, AJ is determined to share the beauty in Arabic Rap and Production with the world.
Al Qiyadat Al Oulia
Al Qiyadat Al Oulia stands as the most prominent and influential rap group of this generation, not just in Saudi Arabia, but across the entire region. Renowned for their impeccable skills and massive following, they have left an indelible mark on the Middle Eastern hip-hop scene. Recently, however, the group has shifted their focus from collective projects to functioning more like a label. Despite this change, the group's leading stars, the crowd favorite Randar, better known as Al Rand, and his partner Alyoung, continue to capture attention with their compelling artistry.
Jara
Jara is a Saudi rapper, who’s been taking the Saudi music scene by storm. Her unique style and powerful voice allowed her to create several songs that turned into fanfares such as “irrelevant” and “966,” which was released and went viral on Saudi national day. She decided to pursue music when she moved to Sweden to study international relations and psychology a few years ago. After spending a few years abroad, she came back and quickly joined the ranks of the trail-blazing female rappers that are paving the way for women in music, alongside artists like Felukah, Khtek, and N1yah.
Dr. Slim
With over 20 million streams on YouTube, Dr. Slim is one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent rap artists. Known for his versatility, Dr. Slim masterfully blends various styles, from old-school funk, as heard in his hit single "Catchy," to modern trap beats. His most recent single, "Sokkar Al Kalam," released in the summer of 2022, has garnered over 6.6 million views, further solidifying his status in the Saudi music scene.
Khalz
Another aspiring underground rap artist rapidly gaining an audience and capturing public attention is none other than Khalz. With over 3 million views on his YouTube channel and significant collaborations with artists like Blvxb and Alrong, the "Haddabah" artist is one to watch. His growing influence in the music scene marks him as a rising star with a promising future.
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