For years, the Egyptian music scene has been largely defined by iconic legends like Amr Diab, Sherine, and Tamer Ashour—artists whose influence seemed untouchable. But 2024 has brought a seismic shift. The stage is now being overtaken by a fresh wave of voices and Gen Z talent, with the next generation of artists stepping into the limelight and making their mark as the new driving forces of the industry. This year’s Spotify Wrapped revealed a surge in the popularity of breakout artists, with seven of the top 10 most-streamed songs in Egypt being from relatively new talent. Egyptian pop music has largely adhered to a predictable structure, blending Western influences with classical Arabic styles. However, a new generation of Arab artists is breaking away from this mold, experimenting with a broader range of genres and incorporating elements of rap, R&B, and other diverse styles into their music. A New Era of Breakout Artists Symbolizing Gen Z’s evolving musical tastes, Eslam Kabonga’s Aywa Ya Habibti Wahashtini (2023) claimed the second spot for most-streamed song. Blending traditional Mahraganat with electrifying sounds, the song reflects the new wave of musical styles. Another example…
